Opening America's Workplaces Again National Online Dialogue

The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) hosted the "Opening America’s Workplaces Again National Online Dialogue" to solicit ideas about challenges that may be faced as businesses reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how best to help employers and workers reopen America's workplaces safely. Held from April 29 to May 7, 2020, this national online dialogue provided an innovative opportunity for employers and business organizations, employees and employee groups, state and local government officials, and other stakeholders to play a key role in informing USDOL’s efforts to ensure employers and workers can participate fully in the economy.

Eight agencies within USDOL – the Office of Compliance Initiatives; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the Wage and Hour Division; the Employee Benefits Security Administration; the Office of Federal Contract Compliance; the Employment and Training Administration; the Office of Disability Employment Policy; the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service; and the Women's Bureau – collaborated to develop and support this important national discussion.

During the national online dialogue, 1,775 stakeholder participants shared more than 500 ideas on how to reopen businesses, commute safely, work safely, reduce regulatory burden, accommodate members of vulnerable populations, and support America’s families. USDOL used the results of the "Opening America’s Workplaces Again National Online Dialogue" to inform its efforts to support America’s employers and workers as America’s workplaces reopen.