Labor Department Civil Penalties Unchanged in 2026

The federal Labor Department is not increasing its civil penalty amounts in 2026, according to a rule scheduled to be published May 27.

The department annually adjusts its civil penalty amounts based on consumer price index data from October of the prior year, according to the rule. However, CPI data for October 2025 is unavailable due to a lapse in federal funding at the time for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

There is no alternative method for adjusting civil penalty amounts, under the rule. As a result, the 2025 civil monetary penalty levels remain in effect, in accordance with ...