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Open Recommendations (4 total)

Subminimum Wage Program: DOL Could Do More to Ensure Timely Oversight

GAO-23-105116
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3 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Wage and Hour Division The Administrator of DOL's Wage and Hour Division should set and track timeliness goals for intermediate steps and overall duration for processing 14(c) applications. (Recommendation 1)
Open
In September 2024, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) stated that it set timeliness goals for intermediate steps of the application review process to ensure suitable movement through the overall review process. The agency also stated that it set a timeliness goal for the overall duration of processing 14(c) applications--which is to issue or deny a certificate or move the application into a more comprehensive review within 120 days of receipt. WHD stated that it has tracked its performance relative to its established timeliness goals and seen a reduction in the overall processing time of 14(c) applications. WHD stated that it will provide a copy of its Certification Procedures Manual by December 2024. We will review the status of this recommendation when we receive supporting documentation of the agency's timeliness goals and its tracking of such goals.
Wage and Hour Division The Administrator of DOL's Wage and Hour Division should externally communicate its goals for processing 14(c) applications to employers and other program stakeholders, and its progress toward meeting these goals. (Recommendation 2)
Open
As of September 2024, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted an updated fact sheet on certification application policies and procedures on its website. The fact sheet includes the agency's goal to process timely and complete applications within 120 days. WHD stated that based on internal reporting, the agency has seen a positive impact on its overall processing time for submitted applications and reduced the number of "pending" applications as reported on its website. We will consider this recommendation closed when WHD provides additional documentation demonstrating that it has externally communicated with employers and other program stakeholders about its progress toward meeting these goals.
Wage and Hour Division The Administrator of DOL's Wage and Hour Division should solicit feedback from 14(c) employers regarding the online application and take appropriate action to address any limitations to help improve the overall timeliness of certificate application processing. (Recommendation 3)
Open
In September 2024, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) created a new email address for employers who have feedback on the online application systems, including suggestions for improvement to the forms instruction page. The agency included the updated email address in its fact sheet on certificate application policies and procedures. However, the agency did not identify any actions it has taken to address any limitations with the online system. We continue to believe that the agency should take appropriate action to address any limitations to help improve the overall timeliness of processing certificate applications. We will consider this recommendation closed when WHD provides additional documentation that it has taken appropriate action to address any identified limitations to help improve the overall timeliness of processing applications.

COVID-19: Continued Attention Needed to Enhance Federal Preparedness, Response, Service Delivery, and Program Integrity

GAO-21-551
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1 Open Recommendations
Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Wage and Hour Division The Administrator of the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division should ensure that the new data system under development includes mechanisms to prevent staff from assigning and prioritizing cases in a manner inconsistent with established policies. See the Leave Benefits for Employees enclosure. (Recommendation 11)
Open
As of September 2024, the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) continues to develop its next iteration of its case management system, which WHD plans to release in Spring 2025. The relevant modules will include a notification to alert staff of specific policy requirements related to assigning and prioritizing cases.
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