New York State Department of Labor

The New York State Department of Labor (DOL or NYSDOL) is the department of the New York state government that enforces labor law and administers unemployment benefits.^[1][2]

The mission of the New York State Department of Labor is to protect workers, assist the unemployed and connect job seekers to jobs, according to its website. They vigorously enforce state Labor Laws to give businesses that obey the law an even break. They work aggressively to ensure a fair wage for all workers. They protect the safety and health of workers and the public. They help the unemployed via temporary payments (unemployment insurance). They link job seekers with employers. They guide workers to training that will keep New York strong in the world economy.

According to an audit released in June 2014 by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, the Department of Labor does not complete many of its wage theft investigations in a timely manner.^[3] As of late August 2013, the DOL had more than 17000 open cases, consisting of about 9300 active investigations and more than 7800 cases pending payment, and of these almost 13000, or 75%, were at least one year old from initial claim date.^[3] In 2013, the DOL had 142 employees statewide, including 85-90 investigators, handling the complaints.^[4]

Frances Perkins, who later became the U.S. Secretary of Labor and the first female cabinet member, was the first Commissioner of the New York Department of Labor. M. Patricia Smith, who later became the Solicitor of Labor in 2009 was a Commissioner of the New York Department of Labor.

References

External links

• New York State Department of Labor