Employment Standards DivisionEmployment Relations

Eric Strauss — Administrator

Safety & Health

Employment Standards Division

The Employment Standards Division (ESD) offers a wide range of services and regulations pertaining to the employer-employee relationship. Workers' compensation coverage and claims, human rights claims, workplace safety and health, wage and hour claims, prevailing wage claims, and public sector collective bargaining are all covered by ESD.

ESD provides employers with education and technical assistance in understanding and complying with state labor laws. The division works with both employers and employees to address employment-related complaints through informal investigations and mediation. Its purpose is to assist in resolving conflicts at the most basic level feasible in a fast, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

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Featured News

2023 Workplace Violence Update
April 17, 2024
The Employment Standards Division of the Montana Department of Labor & Industry has published a new report on violence in the workplace. This report examines the prevalence and details of workplace violence . . .
MT Dept. of Labor projects 6,000 healthcare job openings per year
March 14, 2024
MTDLI projects 638 openings for RNs per year, for which the median wage is $76,550. Over half are projected to be due to retirement. Another eight percent are expected to be due to increased demand caused by the . . .
Montana labor force hits all-time high in January
March 14, 2024
Montana's unemployment was lower than the national average of 3.7% with 3.3% in January. In January total employment added 400 workers and payroll jobs increased by 300. The Montana Department of Labor and Industry . . .
State Sets New Records for Employment, Labor Force in November
December 22, 2023
More than 41,000 jobs created since January 2021 HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Sarah Swanson, commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), today announced the . . .
Montana Reports Fewer Work-Related Fatalities in 2022
December 20, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the 2022 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, an annual study conducted jointly by the agency and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics that . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Announces Results of 2022 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
December 14, 2023
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. In 2022, employees of Montana businesses in all industries experienced a . . .
Montana Reaches 24th Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
November 20, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana reached its 24th consecutive month of unemployment below 3%. Prior to the governor taking office, Montana’s unemployment rate had . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Adds First-Ever Tribal Liaison to Leadership Team
October 26, 2023
Blackfeet Nation member Don Wetzel Jr., with 20+ years of experience working with native communities, to lead Department’s tribal outreach Don Wetzel, Jr. DLI Tribal Laison   HELENA -The . . .
Montana Reaches 22nd Consecutive Month of Unemployment Below 3%
September 19, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in August was below 3% for the 22nd consecutive month, bucking national trends as the country’s . . .
Great Falls College Graduates 8 Students from first Cohort of Accelerated Structural Welding Course
September 08, 2023
Montana DLI, Great Falls College, Private Industry Partner to Hold Accelerated Structural Welding Course Welding Student Kala Pedersen GREAT FALLS- Eight students graduated the first-of-its-kind six-week . . .
Labor Day Report: Montana's Economy Strong & Poised for Growth
September 07, 2023
MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson today presented the 2023 Labor Day Report to Montanans. “Montana enjoyed a historic year of record job growth, low . . .
Montana’s Unemployment Rate Below 3% For 21st Consecutive Month
August 21, 2023
More Montanans Working Today Than Ever Before HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana’s unemployment rate in July is below 3% for the 21st consecutive month. The only . . .
Governor Gianforte Appoints Commissioner of Labor and Industry
August 10, 2023
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Sarah Swanson to lead the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). “As a proven leader in both the private and . . .
DLI Data: As Pandemic Receded and Workers Return to Jobsites, Workplace Injuries Rise
December 19, 2022
HELENA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today the number of workplace deaths in Montana returned to the pre-pandemic mean. Montana experienced 40 fatal work-related injuries in 2021, . . .
Governor Gianforte Announces Another Record-Setting Jobs Report
December 16, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working in November hit a new all-time high, according to data from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry and the . . .
Montana’s Record Employment, Labor Force Growth Continues in September
October 21, 2022
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the number of Montanans working and the size of the state’s workforce in September reached new all-time highs, according to data from the . . .
  Montana Post-Secondary Workforce Report Highlights Opportunities for Montana Workers
October 21, 2022
HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry this week released the 2022 Post-Secondary Workforce Report, which evaluates how the state’s workforce training systems provide a . . .
Montanans Impacted by Flooding in Yellowstone County May Be Eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance
July 27, 2022
Helena, MT - The Montana Department of Labor & Industry announced today that workers in Yellowstone County impacted by June flooding may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Disaster . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Releases “Status of the Nursing Workforce in Montana” Report
November 12, 2021
Report summarizes results from the National Council State Board of Nursing 2020 Survey HELENA –The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today released the “2020 Status of the . . .
Montana Department of Labor & Industry Releases 2020 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
November 05, 2021
HELENA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today released the annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. The survey found private industry workplaces in Montana reported a rate of 3.4 . . .
Montana Employers Recognized with 2021 Governor’s Achievement Awards
October 01, 2021
Awards recognize ongoing commitment to workplace safety across Montana MONTANA- The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today recognized employers who go above and beyond in their efforts to make their . . .
State of Montana Issues Guidance on HB 702 Implementation
July 28, 2021
HELENA, Mont. – Montana’s Departments of Labor & Industry and Public Health and Human Services today released guidance for employers and care providers on implementation of HB 702, approved . . .
Montana's Labor Force, Total Employment Grow in June
July 16, 2021
MONTANA – Montana’s labor force grew by more than 2,000 workers in June, while total employment in the state grew by some 1,800 workers. “More and more Montanans are . . .
Circle, MT Student Awarded Montana State Employer Council Scholarship
July 14, 2021
HELENA – The Montana Department of Labor & Industry today announced the 2021 Montana State Employer Council . . .
DLI releases 2019 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in Montana
December 21, 2020
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) today released the annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. Montana experienced 38 work-related fatal injuries in 2019, an increase from 28 in 2018. . . .
DLI highlights Kids’ Chance Awareness Week
November 09, 2020
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry is recognizing Kids’ Chance Awareness Week from November 9 through 13. DLI honors the effect Kids’ Chance of Montana has providing educational . . .

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