Labor Department Leadership Vacancies Could Threaten Policy Work

The Labor Department is starting 2019 without confirmed officials in several key leadership posts, vacancies the business community fears could derail some policy initiatives.

The department doesn’t have confirmed leaders for seven sub-agencies after the Jan. 4 departure of Bryan Jarrett, who was serving as acting administrator for the Wage and Hour Division. The openings come as the DOL has yet to tackle some big policy questions, including on overtime pay and “joint employer” liability.

“The simple fact is anytime you have fewer people, it’s harder to get the work done,” Alex Passantino, a labor and employment attorney for Seyfarth ...