DOL Plans to Clean Up Unofficial Old Wage Rules

2026-03962 — Employee or Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act

The Department of Labor wants to update how we decide if someone is an employee or an independent contractor for three big laws: the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. They’re bringing back a 2021 rule with some tweaks and applying it to all three laws. If you’re a worker or a business, this could change your rights and responsibilities, so get ready to share your thoughts by April 28, 2026!

2025-12316 — Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to Domestic Service

If you hire home helpers like caregivers or housekeepers, this update matters! The government wants to bring back old rules that let some helpers skip overtime and minimum wage rules, making care more affordable. These changes could start soon, helping families and workers find a fair balance without extra costs.

2026-05781 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Inflation Reduction Act Wage Rates and Wage Determinations

The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info about wage rates from the Inflation Reduction Act without changing the current rules. This helps make sure the data is clear and easy to provide, while keeping paperwork and costs low for businesses and workers. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until May 26, 2026, to share them!

2025-12315 — Recission of Final Rule: Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States

The Department of Labor is rolling back a new rule that made it harder and more expensive for farmers to hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2A program. This change means fewer strict rules and less paperwork for employers, helping them keep their farms running smoothly without extra costs or delays. The rollback starts soon, making it easier for farmers and workers to get back to business as usual.

2026-06031 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Information Collections: The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as Amended

The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info about the Family and Medical Leave Act without changing the rules. This affects employers and employees who use family or medical leave, and the goal is to keep paperwork easy and clear. You have until May 29, 2026, to share your thoughts, and there’s no new cost or time burden planned.

2026-03701 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Report of Construction Contractor's Wage Rates

The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting info on construction workers’ wages without changing the rules. This helps make sure the paperwork stays easy and clear for contractors who report their wage rates. If you’re involved in construction contracting, you can share your thoughts by April 27, 2026, so the process stays smooth and fair.

Previous: 2025-12193 — Regulations Under Section 382(h) Related to Built-In Gain and Loss; Withdrawal

The government is pulling back two proposed rules about how companies handle certain profits and losses after big ownership changes. This affects corporations that go through ownership shifts under tax law section 382(h). No new rules or costs will happen now, so businesses can breathe easy for the moment.

Next: 2025-12315 — Recission of Final Rule: Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States

The Department of Labor is rolling back a new rule that made it harder and more expensive for farmers to hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2A program. This change means fewer strict rules and less paperwork for employers, helping them keep their farms running smoothly without extra costs or delays. The rollback starts soon, making it easier for farmers and workers to get back to business as usual.