U.S. Department of Labor

United States government

Also known as: DOL

Written and fact-checked byThe Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Updated: Nov. 10, 2026

The Department of Labor seal features a gold eagle above a shield with symbols representing industry and labor, set against a blue background, with text reading Department of Labor United States of America around the border.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.

Also Known As:: DOL

Date:: 1913 - present

Areas Of Involvement:: Labour law; labour

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Current U.S. Inflation Rate Report: Inflation Is Up 0.4% Since September • Nov. 10, 2026, 02:32 PM (ET)(Forbes)

U.S. Department of Labor, executive division of the U.S. federal government responsible for enforcing labour statutes and promoting the general welfare of U.S. wage earners. Established in 1913, it controls the Employment Standards Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and numerous other agencies involved in administration of programs concerning employment and training, trade adjustment assistance, unemployment insurance, veterans and senior citizens, and mine safety.

This article was most recently revised and updated by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica