The Labor Department's next permanent leader may be its most policy-fluent in years.
The question is how much he can accomplish with a leaner agency and a tight-fisted budget office.
In "Sonderling Expected to Bridge Workers, Business as DOL Chief", Bloomberg Law reporter Parker Purifoy examined the background and prospects of acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling ahead of his Senate confirmation hearing. Paul DeCamp, Member of the Firm and Co-Chair of the Wage and Hour practice of Epstein Becker Green and a former Administrator of the DOL's Wage and Hour Division, offered his perspective on Sonderling's approach to the department's mission.
Paul described Sonderling as results-driven and understated — more interested in policy outcomes than visibility. He noted that Sonderling understands both sides of the labor equation and that the current administration views labor and employment law as an opportunity for common ground rather than a zero-sum contest.
"When people talk to him, they don't get the sense that he's just some mouthpiece for the Chamber of Commerce. He understands the importance of workers and the mission of the department in protecting those workers. He doesn't want to be remembered as somebody who came in and just did corporate America's bidding," DeCamp said.
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To discuss this perspective, contact Paul DeCamp at PDeCamp@ebglaw.com.
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