No inflation adjustment for DOL civil penalties in 2026
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The Department of Labor is not increasing its civil monetary penalties for violations of workplace safety and wage laws this year. This means the fine amounts remain exactly what they were in 2025.
Why it matters: This is an administrative pause rather than a policy change. For employers and workers, it means the cost of violating federal labor laws stays flat for another year instead of rising with inflation. It also signals that the Department will review its penalty structure more broadly in 2027 to catch up on missed adjustments.
Who it affects
- Employers subject to fines under OSHA, MSHA, and wage and hour laws
This notice comes from the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and other components; check the original Federal Register document for full legal context.
Agency: Labor Department, Employment and Training Administration, Workers’ Compensation Programs Office, , Wage and Hour Division, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Mine Safety and Health Adminis
Source: Federal Register — read the official document