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ARTICLE · 01 JULY 2025

DOL Relaunches Opinion Letter Program Amid Shifting Enforcement Priorities

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On June 2, 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) launched its Opinion Letter program. Opinion Letters are official written responses from the DOL that explain how it would apply statutes and regulations...

United StatesEmployment and HR
Nancy Van Der Veer Holt
Nancy Van Der Veer Holt
Rachel Saady-Saxe
Rachel Saady-Saxe
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On June 2, 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) launched its Opinion Letter program. Opinion Letters are official written responses from the DOL that explain how it would apply statutes and regulations under particular facts presented by a requesting party. Although not legally binding and unable to override existing statutes and regulations, these letters offer authoritative insight into the Department's enforcement approach and are often relied upon by employers to navigate complex compliance obligations. In certain cases, such as under the Fair Labor Standards Act, reliance on an opinion letter can support a good faith defense and limit liability.

The program includes participation from five DOL enforcement agencies within the Department:

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