Department of Labor

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Wednesday announced a recent delay in the release of crucial jobs data to a technical issue, raising concerns about the potential impact on the economy and the upcoming presidential election. What Happened: The BLS, a division of the Department of Labor...

There is such a slew of conflicting indicators and commentary on the economy swirling around these days that it may be hard to get a grip on how the consumer is doing. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT), the world’s largest retailer, beat Wall Street forecasts for second-quarter profits and sales as it...

Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google has urged the U.S. government to update its immigration policies to attract more AI and tech talent from abroad. The tech giant warns that the current policies could lead to a loss of valuable talent in the AI and cybersecurity sectors. What...

In a recent development, Amazon Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has reportedly declared that it will not be sponsoring any new U.S. Green Cards for foreign workers for the rest of the year. What Happened: Amazon had informed its employees earlier this year about its decision to extend the pause on all new PERM...

New York Governor Blocks Selling Surplus Cannabis To Tribal Retailers Governor Kathy Hochul (D) vetoed legislation allowing licensed cannabis growers in New York to sell products to tribal retailers, disrupting a lifeline for surplus cannabis. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D)...

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted to adopt a resolution to overturn a Department of Labor rule which allows retirement plans to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing when making investment decisions, according to multiple news outlets. What Happened: Republicans...

Patrons at sit-down restaurants pay for their meals and typically leave something extra for their server, known as a gratuity or a tip. One restaurant decided to keep the tips from staff and faces a big fine. What Happened: North Carolina-based “Jay’s Kitchen” was ordered to pay $...

Each day, Benzinga takes a look back at a notable market-related moment that occurred on this date. What Happened: On Feb. 14, 1903, under the Roosevelt administration, Congress established the U.S. Department of Commerce and Labor. Where The Market Was: The S&P 500 had started the...

After rising .5% in July, all consumer items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics rose .3% in August. Over the year, all consumer items have risen 5.3%.  What Happened: Over the last year, the biggest complaint — and concern — for consumers and some economists...

Weekly seasonally adjusted employment insurance claims were down again as of Sept. 4, hitting a low of 310,000, down 35,000 week-over-week. This is the lowest that claims have been since March 2020, when the figure 256,000 claims, according to the latest Department of Labor statistics....

With more money comes more responsibility. The U.S. Department of Labor is creating an office to help states manage the $2 billion in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.  What Happened: The office is meant to work with state unemployment insurance systems to “prevent...

The initial jobless report for the week ending July 10 included 26,000 fewer unemployment insurance claims on a month-over-month basis for a total of 360,000. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 2020, when the figure was 256,000, according to a U.S. Department of...

The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases a report each month outlining the employment landscape. After a weather-induced slowdown last month due to Hurricane Michael, numbers are rising again.  What Happened The October U.S. employment report demonstrated a strong rebound in hiring, with a...

The federal minimum wage has remained unchanged at $7.25 per hour since July 2009. However, this minimum may not apply to all 50 states, as states have the leeway to set their own minimum and an employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. The minimum wage, the lowest hourly pay...