Strategic Goal 3: Work-Life Environments

Assure fair and high quality work-life environments

Other Information:

To strengthen and expand the middle class, the Department is committed to protecting workers’ rights to fair treatment, good working conditions, and a voice in the workplace. Discrimination and obstacles to collective bargaining have contributed to growing inequality in wages and benefits. When workers have a voice in the workplace, they can become fully involved in ensuring their workplaces are safe. Yet, too many workers, especially vulnerable workers, do not report violations. Many fear that they will lose their job or face disciplinary action whenever they suffer an injury and report it. DOL is working to assure fair and high quality work-life environments through a combination of strategies protecting specific groups of workers and workplaces. Eight DOL agencies have programs, performance goals, and measures that contribute to achievement of this goal.

Stakeholder(s):

• Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP): Through the work of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), DOL ensures that over 200,000 contractors and sub-contractors working under contracts with the federal government provide equal employment opportunities – a fair and diverse workplace.


• Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP): The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) develops policy and policy strategies to reduce barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities.


• Women’s Bureau (WB): The Women’s Bureau (WB) formulates standards and policies to promote the welfare of wage-earning women. The WB and the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) promote workplace flexibility for family and personal care-giving.


• Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS): The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS), the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), and WHD conduct outreach so that workers are better informed of their rights, are better able to freely exercise those rights without fear of adverse consequences, and are better positioned to meaningfully participate in workplace decision-making. Through these advances, workers increase their voice in the workplace.


• Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)


• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)


• Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)

Objective(s):

Outcome Goal 3.1: Fair and Diverse Workplaces

Performance Goal OFCCP 3.1: Federal Contractor Workplaces

Performance Goal ODEP 3.1: Workers with Disabilities

Outcome Goal 3.2: Workplace Flexibility

Performance Goal WHD 3.2: Family and Medical Leave Act

Performance Goal WB 3.2: Technical Assistance, Partnership Development, and Effective Practices

Outcome Goal 3.3: Worker Voice

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