Workplace Investigations Grind to Halt in Government Shutdown

Federal investigations into labor and employment disputes will largely cease until Congress reaches a deal to fund the government, hampering resolutions for employers and their workers.

The US Labor Department, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have limited operations during the funding lapse, with only a fraction of their employees asked to remain on-board.

The NLRB will stop handling unfair labor practice and union representation cases. Workers’ charges of discrimination filed to the EEOC, a necessary step before they can sue in court, also won’t be processed.

“Some may prefer the delay but I think ...