The US Labor Department wants to make it easier to hold multiple employers responsible for a single worker

The US Labor Department is proposing new rules that would make it easier to hold more than one company responsible for a worker's wages and benefits. This means a worker could sue both a staffing agency and the company where they actually work for violations of wage or leave laws.

For years, companies have used complex contracting arrangements to avoid responsibility for workers. This proposal aims to close that loophole by clarifying when multiple companies are considered a single employer. It could significantly increase the number of companies liable for wage theft or other labor violations, especially in industries that rely heavily on contractors and temporary staff.