Department Of Labor Research Articles

USA EXPERIENCE REGARDING THE REINTEGRATION OF WAR VETERANS INTO CIVILIAN LIFE

The article summarizes the experience of the United States regarding the reintegration of veterans into civilian life, namely: the peculiarities of regulatory and legal regulation and the main directions of veteran policy. It was established that the American legislation uses two terms –«veteran» and «active military serviceman», while in Ukraine – «combatant», «military serviceman», «war veteran», «war participant». The American practice of military reintegration into civilian life involves mandatory participation in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The main directions of military reintegration into civilian life in the USA, which are under the competence of the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor, are: social adaptation; psychological support; professional retraining; support with housing. Social adaptation includes social communication, social support and formation of new social skills. Psychological support includes specialized support and treatment. Professional retraining of veterans is the acquisition of new professional qualifications through the acquisition of additional education or skills. Support with housing includes providing a loan for the purchase of housing, maintenance and adaptation of houses to new requirements in case of disability.It has been established that the USA is a country where «military social work» was formed, which is understood as a specialized practice of social work that provides support to military personnel, war veterans and their family members. Military social workers provide a range of services (counseling, crisis intervention, supervision), conduct training and coaching, and organize presentations of special client health support events to colleagues at all levels. Regarding the provision of social benefits, the USA has an exclusive approach to veterans policy – welfare programs for veterans operate separately from programs for the general population. The current system of benefits for veterans in the United States is complex.

Międzynarodowa Konferencja Naukowa „Dobrostan zwierząt. Perspektywa prawna”, Lublin–Iwano-Frankiwsk, 26 października 2023 r.

On 26 October 2023, an International Scientific Conference “Animal Welfare: A Legal Perspective” was held at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (Lublin). It was the third meeting in the series “Legal Protection of Animals”, which was launched in 2019. The conference was organized by the Department of Administrative Law and Administrative Science of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, in cooperation with the Department of Labour, Ecological and Agrarian Law of the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University in Ivano-Frankivsk and the Foundation for Academic Initiatives in Lublin. The report presents selected theses from the speeches of all speakers.

Cost and Activity Analysis of Patient Navigation for Persons With HIV: Comparing Health Department and Health Clinic Delivered Interventions.

Housing and employment are key factors in the health and well-being of people with HIV (PWH). Patient navigation programs to improve housing and employment show success in achieving viral suppression. Replicating patient navigation interventions to improve population health is needed. Understanding costs associated with patient navigation is a key next step. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the costs associated with delivering patient navigator interventions in two different organizations to improve housing and employment for PWH. We conducted a cost analysis of two models of patient navigation. Costs were collected from two sites' payroll, invoices, contracts, and receipts. Pre-implementation and implementation costs and utilization of service costs are presented. Potential reimbursement costs were calculated based on salaries from the Department of Labor. The health clinic's pre-implementation costs were higher ($169,133) than the health department's ($22,018). However, costs of patient navigation during the 2-year intervention were similar between health clinic and health department ($264,985 and $232,923, respectively). The health clinic reported more total time spent with clients (16,013.7 hours) than the health department (1,883.8 hours). The costs per additional person suppressed were $20,632 versus $37,810 for the health department and health clinic, respectively, which are lower than the average lifetime cost of HIV treatment. Replicability and scalability of a patient navigation intervention are possible in both health clinic and health department settings. Each site had specific costs, client needs, and other factors that required adaptations to successfully implement the intervention. Future programs should consider tailoring costs to site-specific factors to improve outcomes. Policymakers and public health officials should consider using these results to improve planning and investment in HIV treatment and prevention interventions.

The occupation of self-employment in South African informal micro-enterprises

Introduction: Self-employment, in which individuals work for themselves in a small business or microenterprise to earn an income or generate a salary, has been encouraged to facilitate employment opportunities in South Africa. However, participation in self-employment within the community served by professionals such as occupational therapists is limited by many factors, including effective government initiatives, such as implementing the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) policies. To enable individuals and community participation in this type of work for those with occupational dysfunction, mainly persons with disabilities, professionals such as occupational therapists need to understand the structural, contextual and occupational outcomes related to self-employment. Based on the Framework for Occupational Justice, this study explored the occupation of self-employment in microenterprises in the low-resourced urban community of Alexandra Township.
 Method: A quantitative descriptive non-experimental design study was used to identify informal microenterprises in the community using a transect walk and community mapping. Structured interviews were conducted to complete a questionnaire with key informants (service providers and business owners) who provided perceptions on factors that impacted the occupational outcomes of microenterprises.
 Results: Structural and contextual factors from the participants' experience resulted in unjust occupational outcomes, which indicates that occupational rights, particularly participation, choice and balance, were negatively affected by the lack of opportunities, such as jobs. Occupational marginalisation and imbalance were reported since many businesses lacked adequate and appropriate space for trade. Some business owners, however, reported just occupational outcomes related to the occupational right for meaningful occupation in providing a service to the community and financial income to support themselves and their families.
 Conclusion: Occupational therapists need to play various active roles in raising the consciousness of unjust occupational outcomes and support for just occupational outcomes that are achieved in engagement in self-employment in informal microenterprises.
 Implications for practice
 Occupational therapists should take note of the factors and occupational outcomes of being self-employed identified in this study and consider the roles they could play in expediting success in this occupation for clients. Occupational therapists could assume:
 
 A collaborative role, such as referring and working with various key role players or sectors in the interest of sourcing and providing opportunities for skills development for those entering self- employment, particularly in entrepreneurial training. This may include working with the government (e.g., Department of Labour and Small Enterprise Development Agency), private sector (e.g., yes4youth), other professions (social workers and industrial psychologists) and organisations for persons with disabilities (e.g., Disabled People, South Africa
 

Current Situation and Solutions for Vocational Training in Extremely Isolated Communes, Lowland and Coastal Areas, and on Islands in Vietnam

This study aimed to analyze the current situation of vocational training for farmers and farmers’ needs for vocational training in the next years in extremely isolated communities. The primary data were collected from 480 farmers in 16 communes. The selection of the study sites was based on the list issued in Decision No. 353/QD-TTg dated March 15, 2022 of the Prime Minister. The secondary data on vocational training in the period of 2016-2022 were collected from the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs in the study sites. The research results showed that vocational training programs for farmers in the period of 2016-2022 had some achievements. The numbers of courses and trained workers increased every year (except the period of 2020 to early 2022 because of Covid-19), and the contents of the training courses were designed in accordance with the special requirements of local conditions and production and business characteristics. However, the vocational training program for farmers in extremely isolated communes in the period 2016-2022 still had limitations in terms of training contents, training methods, and training duration. It was found that in the 2023-2025 period, 73.5% of surveyed farmers desired to participate in vocational training. Based on the limitations of the vocational training program in the past, some proper solutions were proposed to improve the effectiveness of vocational training and to meet the farmers’ expectations.

The Influence of Training and Competency Development on Employee Performance at the Manpower and Transmigration Service of Musi Banyuasin Regency

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of training and competency development on the performance of employees within the Department of Labor and Transmigration of Musi Banyuasin Regency. The research adopts a quantitative descriptive approach, encompassing a population of 71 participants. A saturated sample is employed, encompassing the entire employee population of the Department of Labor and Transmigration of Musi Banyuasin Regency. Data is collected through questionnaires and interviews, and the analysis involves multiple linear regression. The findings reveal that training significantly affects employee performance, while competency development exhibits a positive but statistically non-significant influence on performance. Furthermore, whencombined, training and competency development significantly influence employee performance.

Protection of children’s rights in the USA at the end of the 19th – on the beginning of the 20th century: historical excursion

The article analyzes the problems of protecting the rights of children in the USA, which developed at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. It was established that by the end of the 19th century. the question of protecting children has never been raised anywhere in the world. The considered case of Mary Ellen McCormack, who suffered brutal abuse from her adoptive parents, and with the help of Elbridge Jerry's lawyer, was transferred to the US Supreme Court. It was established that this precedent became the first documented case of child abuse in the history of the United States of America, and in the world as a whole.
 Tracing the history of the formation of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children "NYSPCC", which became the first organization in the world to protect the interests of children. His activities, which consisted in the legal protection of children, their material support and violation of their rights and interests, were considered. Particularly shocking were the persistent abuses in private kindergartens and homes where children were kept in unlivable conditions, while the guardians received the costs of child support from the state.
 It was emphasized that the establishment of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children "NYSPCC" was the key to changes in this area. His activities prompted the rapid formation of other societies in the United States and the adoption of the first normative legal acts that guaranteed the rights of children and provided a mechanism for their protection. Gradually, there was a transformation of public consciousness, which took over responsibility for the protection of minor children.
 Examines the creation of state departments of welfare, social services, health, and labor, which opened in all states, as well as the Federal Children's Bureau, which was established in 1912. It became the first national government office in the world, whose powers focused on ensuring better well­being of children and their mothers.
 The field of activity of the Bureau was studied, which developed a whole set of measures, which consisted in the introduction of prenatal care for women, helped them in the birth of a child, the establishment of specialized children's clinics, the introduction of the institute of patronage nurses, certified milk stations for the children's year, and raising awareness among women mothers about the measures . and the need for proper child care to address high infant mortality.
 Another area of activity of the Children's Bureau was the control over the use of child labor, as well as educational activities - the publication of books that highlighted contemporary problems in the field of violation of children's rights. The work of the bureau also affected legislative initiatives. Thus, the Keating-Owen Act of 1916, which prohibited the labor of minors, as well as the Sheppard- Towner Act of 1921, which allocated federal subsidies to state programs for the protection of motherhood and childhood, were analyzed. The following were subject to state funding: training of midwives, educational work with parents, opening of health centers, parenting courses, introduction of standards and the procedure for licensing maternity homes, collection of data on maternal and child mortality.
 The prescriptions of the Law on Social Security of 1935, which provided for the financing of a program to help dependent children, low-income families, and the creation of a child care service, which was authorized to supervise the maintenance of children's rights, were studied.

Working With the Strategy Master-Dr Michael Silverstein MD, MPH [1945-2024

New Solutions offers a short memorial statement noting the January 2, 2024, death of Dr Michael Silverstein, an internationally known leader in the field of occupational health and safety. Dr Silverstein spent 53 years specializing in the fields of occupational medicine, public health, and general preventive medicine. He was the Assistant Director for Occupational Health and Safety with the United Automobile Workers Union for 15 years. He served as the Director of Policy for the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during the Clinton Administration. He later served as Director of the Washington State OSHA program for 10 years and was the Assistant Director for Industrial Safety and Health in the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. A long-time friend of New Solutions, Dr Silverstein was the journal's first Scientific Solutions editor.

The Price of Pain: Workers Compensation Costs for Musculoskeletal Claims in the State of Kansas, 2014-2022.

The aim of the study is to describe cost and frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Kansas. Data were provided by the Kansas Department of Labor and included all closed workers' compensation claims entailing indemnity and medical costs from 2014 to 2022. Work-related musculoskeletal disorder claims entailed a median total cost of $20,097. Medical comprised 48.4% of costs, indemnity 46.4%, and legal 5.2%. The most frequently injured and costliest body part was the shoulder. Manufacturing comprised 28.4% of claims, followed by health care and office. Lifting was the most common cause, generating 32.0% of claims. Education, transportation, and mining were among industries with above average claim rates. Very few studies use workers' compensation data to assess work-related musculoskeletal disorder costs. This study introduces a state not yet analyzed and presents more recent years of data than available in the literature.

Occupational Prestige: The Status Component of Socioeconomic Status

The relationship between life outcomes and an individual’s standing in the social and economic hierarchy of society is an important topic across the social sciences. Foundational to this work is assessing an individual’s standing in this hierarchy, often referred to as socioeconomic status (SES). One component of an individual’s SES, often overlooked in the psychological literature, is occupational prestige – the amount of status accorded to them based on their occupational role. In this research, we collected and validated a new index of occupational prestige for 1029 specific occupations, including all jobs in the US Department of Labor’s O*NET database, and 22 broader occupational families. In Study 1, we collected a comprehensive set of occupational prestige ratings from an online convenience sample, and demonstrated their high reliability. In Study 2, we developed a crosswalk between the ratings collected in Study 1 and prior ratings of occupations listed in the US Census and show convergent validity with previous indices. In Studies 3 and 4 we used additional data to evaluate the construct validity of occupational prestige more broadly. In Study 3, we established convergent and discriminant validity with other indicators of SES: income and educational attainment. In Study 4, we use the O*NET database to identify the characteristics of occupations most strongly associated with prestige. These results support the validity of the index and suggest occupations with high prestige require skills traditionally emphasized in liberal arts education (e.g., critical thinking, reading comprehension).

Association between lead and circulating markers of inflammation among traffic enforcers in Metro Manila, Philippines: the MMDA traffic enforcer's health study.

Several epidemiological studies have linked lead (Pb) exposure to induced oxidative stress and the promotion of inflammatory response. We performed a within-subjects study (repeated measures study) to evaluate the relationship between the concentration of blood lead (B-Pb) and toenail lead (T-Pb) and circulating markers of inflammation. We evaluated the associations between B-Pb concentrations and T-Pb concentrations and circulating markers of inflammation, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (s-ICAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (s-VCAM-1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on 158 traffic enforcers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcer's health study. Linear mixed-effects models with random subject-specific intercepts were fitted to estimate the association between B-Pb and T-Pb exposure and circulating markers of inflammation, adjusting for confounding factors. Traffic enforcers were middle-aged men (89.4%) with a mean age (± SD) of 37.1years ± 8.9years and had a total of 293 valid markers of inflammation measurements. B-Pb concentration was related to increased hs-CRP levels. A 10% increase in B-Pb was associated with a 5.7% increase in hs-CRP level [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.3-10.1]. However, B-Pb was not associated with s-ICAM-1 and s-VCAM-1. Furthermore, no associations were observed between T-Pb and all the circulating markers of inflammation. Low-level B-Pb may increase hs-CRP among traffic enforcers. Moreover, the study suggests that Pb via the oxidative and inflammation pathways may have an essential role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, MMDA and the Department of Labor and Employment can use our study's findings as evidence to conduct routine screening of blood heavy metals, especially Pb, among MMDA and other traffic enforcers as part of their yearly medical examination.

Using Union Materials to One's Advantage

In a union campaign, communications are essential. Some of the most formidable communications involve documents published by the union itself, as the union is unable to refute what it itself has authored. One of the most potentially useful publications to union‐free employers is the union's constitution. Such constitutions frequently contain rules and obligations that employees never become aware of. The constitutions also at times contradict what employees are being told by their union organizers. Many union constitutions are available for free through the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards website.

Oversight on the Execution of Fixed-Term Employment Contracts at the Makassar City Labor Department

This study delves into the procedures and regulatory frameworks governing PKWT, alongside scrutinizing the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure adherence to labor laws, safeguard worker rights, and maintain a balance between employer interests and employee protections. Through empirical legal research, involving interviews, document analysis, and a thorough review of legal statutes, the study unveils the intricacies of PKWT registration at the Makassar City Labor Office and assesses the effectiveness of labor oversight practices. Findings reveal that the registration process for PKWT, whether conducted online within three days or offline within seven days post-signing, necessitates the submission of specific documents to ensure legal and administrative compliance. This mechanism not only provides clarity and accountability but also serves as a foundational aspect of labor law enforcement. However, the research identifies a gap in the legal framework concerning sanctions for non-registration of PKWTs, underscoring a potential area for legislative enhancement to reinforce worker protections. The study further examines the role of labor oversight, conducted by the Makassar City Employment Office and other relevant bodies, in maintaining a fair, transparent, and regulated employment landscape. It categorizes oversight into preventive and repressive measures, each playing a critical role in promoting compliance with labor regulations and safeguarding worker rights. Despite the proactive efforts in education and socialization to foster compliance, limitations in authority at the city level underscore the necessity for coordinated efforts with provincial labor authorities to bolster oversight efficacy.

Working conditions of women factory workers in industrializing Thailand, 1960–1990s

ABSTRACT This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of Thai women workers’ experience during the economic boom between the 1960s and 1990s. Specifically, the paper focuses on the working conditions of female factory laborers located in Bangkok and neighboring provinces during this transformative period. To accomplish this, the paper utilizes a variety of previously unused primary sources: quantitative data from a series of surveys conducted by the Department of Labor and other governmental organizations, along with qualitative evidence from ethnographies, recorded interviews, and reports by non-profit organizations. Three aspects of working conditions are considered: health and safety, remuneration, and working hours. It is argued that women workers faced unsafe work environments and long hours, while the growth of their real incomes lagged behind that of GDP per capita. Despite socioeconomic and cultural obstacles to unionizing, this paper finds that collective action empowered women workers and gave them a voice in addressing these issues.

Salary Disparities in Public Health Occupations: Analysis of Federal Data, 2021‒2022.

Objectives. To assess salary differences between workers within key public health occupations in local or state government and workers in the same occupations in the private sector. Methods. We used the US Department of Labor's Occupational Employment and Wage Survey (OEWS). Referencing previous studies matching Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes with health department occupations, we selected 44 SOC codes. We contrasted median salaries in OEWS for workers in each occupation within state or local government with workers in the same occupations outside government. Results. Thirty of 44 occupations paid at least 5% less in government than the private sector, with 10 occupations, primarily in management, computer, and scientific or research occupations paying between 20% and 46.9% less in government. Inspection and compliance roles, technicians, and certain clinicians had disparities of 10% to 19%. Six occupations, primarily in social work or counseling, paid 24% to 38.7% more in government. Conclusions. To develop a sustainable public health workforce, health departments must consider adjusting their salaries if possible, market their strong benefits or public service mission, or use creative recruitment incentives such as student loan repayment programs for hard-to-fill roles. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(3):329-339. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307512).

Improving Employee Productivity Through Supervision: A Case Department of Manpower, Indramayu

In this study, the Manpower Depatment in Indramayu needs to evaluate factors that can increase the productivity of its employees, especially in providing services to the community with the aim of being able to provide excellent service to the community and participate in reducing unemployment in Indramayu, dynamically and stimulate the community to take advantage of every job opportunity, able to create jobs so as to obtain a decent income so that in the end a reliable, dynamic and independent workforce can be realized as soon as possible. The productivity of the employees of the Department of Labor in Indramayu, needs to be further reviewed in this study. This study uses a path analysis model with smartPLS software. The population of this study are employees of the Department of Manpower in Indramayu Regency. The research sample is all civil servants totaling 56 people. The research results prove that discipline and competence can affect employee supervision. Supervision is also proven to be able to increase employee productivity. Indirect influence from discipline and competence also prove capable of influencing employee productivity through supervision Department of Manpower in Indramayu. Variables that contribute the greatest supervision on work productivity.

Effects of the Single-Entry Approach Program on Labor Disputes as Implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment

The study aimed to determine the effects of the Single-Entry Approach program on labor disputes as implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment in Negros Oriental Field Office. The researcher employed a descriptive-correlational design. The 120 respondents (60 requesting parties and 60 responding parties) were randomly selected clients who were involved in the SEnA program of the DOLE Negros Oriental Field Office. The researcher used a validated questionnaire to gather data and applied statistical methods such as percentage, weighted mean, mean, and Spearman’s rank order correlation coefficient. The findings revealed high awareness and satisfaction for both the requesting and responding parties, indicating a correlation between clients’ awareness of the SEnA program and their satisfaction levels. However, the fact that RFAs are still being referred to other agencies only shows that certain aspects of the program require more enhancement. Specifically, the client's awareness of the SENA program, communication effectiveness, and conciliation-mediation skills could lead to increased settlement rates and reduced referrals to the NLRC.

Enhancing detection of labor violations in the agricultural sector: A multilevel generalized linear regression model of H-2A violation counts.

Agricultural workers are essential to the supply chain for our daily food, and yet, many face harmful work conditions, including garnished wages, and other labor violations. Workers on H-2A visas are particularly vulnerable due to the precarity of their immigration status being tied to their employer. Although worksite inspections are one mechanism to detect such violations, many labor violations affecting agricultural workers go undetected due to limited inspection resources. In this study, we identify multiple state and industry level factors that correlate with H-2A violations identified by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division using a multilevel zero-inflated negative binomial model. We find that three state-level factors (average farm acreage size, the number of agricultural establishments with less than 20 employees, and higher poverty rates) are correlated with H-2A violations. These findings offer valuable insights into where H-2A violations are being detected at the state and industry levels.

Standard Occupational Classification Codes: Gaps in Federal Data on the Public Health Workforce.

Objectives. To determine whether US Department of Labor standard occupational classification (SOC) codes can be used for public health workforce research. Methods. We reviewed past attempts at SOC matching for public health occupations and then used the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System (NIOCCS) to match the actual job titles for 26 516 respondents to the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) with SOC codes, grouped by respondents' choice of job category in PH WINS. We assessed the accuracy of the NIOCCS matches and excluded matches under a cutpoint using the Youden Index. We assessed the percentage of SOC matches with insufficient information and diversity of SOC matches per PH WINS category using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. Results. Several key public health occupations do not have a SOC code, including disease intervention specialist, public health nurse, policy analyst, program manager, grants or contracts specialist, and peer counselor. Conclusions. Without valid SOC matches and detailed data on local and state government health departments, the US Department of Labor's data cannot be used for public health workforce enumeration. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(1):48-56. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307463).

Understanding Consumer Trends in Setting Up a Lucrative Marketing Strategies

Businesses all over the world strive to convince customers to buy their goods and services. To do this, they research consumer needs and develop marketing plans that will persuade customers to buy. Numerous marketing strategies are used to sway consumer behavior, which ultimately affects their purchasing decision. In present business world that is highly competitive, understanding consumers trend in setting up a lucrative marketing strategies dictate the tune in achieving a successful and effectual marketing rewards. The main objective of this study is to explore how consumer trends can be utilized to develop effective marketing strategies. To achieve this goal, the study analyzed both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through observation, interviews, and surveys, while secondary data was obtained from a variety of sources such as newspapers, magazines, trade journals, blogs, online data storage platforms, and government institutions like the Chamber of Commerce, Census Bureau, and labor department. Appropriate marketing tools analysis such as SWOT, PEST and situational analysis are adopted in the study to analyse the relevant data collected from both the primary and secondary sources in order to achieve the objectives of the study. The analysis indicates that grasping consumer trends plays a crucial role in designing effective marketing strategies. It helps in formulating appropriate techniques for each strategy and ensures their effectiveness. Understanding consumer trends is the key to making the strategies responsive to their needs and preferences. Creating successful marketing strategies requires steadfastness, planning, research, and analysis of important policies to understand consumer trends.