Labor Laws

Wagner Peyser Act

The Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 laid the groundwork for a countrywide system of public employment offices referred to as the United States Employment Service (USES). This network has an advanced level of job seeker and employer labor exchange service and information for more than 70 years. Over the years, USES has been called a variety of names including Job Service, Labor Board, and Unemployment Office. Although the names may be different, the goal doesn't waver: to assist job seekers with finding employment and employers with finding skilled workers. In some instances, USES offices will also offer job training and other associated services.

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) amended the Wagner-Peyser Act, converting USES into the One-Stop delivery system. The Employment Service funded by Wagner-Peyser provides unlimited access to core services and incorporates a wide range of labor exchange and WIA services made available at One-Stop resource centers everywhere for your convenience.

The Employment Service offers numerous labor exchange services. Some of the more popular ones are:

• Job search assistance
• Job referral
• Placement assistance

• Reemployment services for unemployment insurance recipients
• Recruitment services

People can gain access to these resources through three different methods including self-service, facilitated self-help service, and staff-assisted service. Depending on what the labor market is looking for at the moment, additional services like job seeker evaluations of expertise and ability, guidance counseling, job search seminars, and training referrals may also be accessible. Besides worker referrals, supplementary services for employers include development of job order requirements, pairing employees with certain skills to matching jobs, helping with special recruitment needs, organizing job fairs, employee analysis that narrows down candidates for vacant jobs, aiding in job restructuring, and learning to cope with layoffs.

War veterans who are in search of jobs receive precedence over others in terms of job referral and training. They also have exceptional employment services and other advantages that not everyone has access to. The system also gives special consideration to the disabled, migrant and seasonal farm laborers, former criminals, minorities, and young and elderly generations.