Information contained in this publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney.
The Employment Standards Administration (or “ESA” in DOL-speak) is not well-known outside the Beltway and the community of wage and hour practitioners. ESA is an umbrella organization responsible for management and oversight of four subordinate agencies:
- The Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”)
- The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”)
- The Office of Labor-Management Standards (“OLMS”), and
- The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (“OWCP”)
The Assistant Secretary of ESA and the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division are both positions whose incumbents must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Directors of the OFCCP, OLMS and OWCP are appointed by the Secretary of Labor.
On July 8, 2009, Acting Assistant Secretary of ESA, Shelby Hallmark, announced that the ESA will be abolished in November, with the leaders of the four agencies – WHD, OFCCP, OLMS and OWCP reporting directly to the Secretary of Labor. Continue reading at Littler's Wage & Hour Counsel blog.