Employment

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is charged with preparing the American workforce for new and better jobs, and ensuring the adequacy of America's workplaces. DOL administers and enforces over 180 federal statutes. These legislative mandates and regulations cover a wide variety of workplace activities for nearly 10 million employers and well over 100 million workers, including:

• Improving working conditions such as protecting workers' wages, health, safety, employment and pension rights;
• Promoting equal employment opportunities;
• Advancing workers' opportunities for profitable employment;
• Protecting workers' retirement and health care benefits;
• Administering job training, unemployment insurance and workers' compensation programs;
• Strengthening free collective bargaining; and
• Analyzing and publishing labor statistics such as tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements.

The Department of Labor is a huge department that supports the activities and programs of 30 agencies and offices. Among them, the following agencies and offices sponsor programs that directly relate to youth with disabilities.

Employment & Training Administration (ETA)

Seeks to build the labor market through the training of the workforce and the placement of workers in jobs through employment services.

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

Promotes employment of individuals with disabilities, through programs such as EARN, small business development, and the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

Employment Standards Administration

Administers laws governing mandated wages and working conditions, including child labor, minimum wages, overtime and family and medical leave; EEO and workers' compensation.

Veterans' Employment & Training Service

Helps veterans, reservists, and National Guard members in securing employment through various programs.