OFLC Releases FAQs on Employer Needs and Communications During Recent Major Disasters

The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) released frequently asked questions (FAQs) on issues related to employer needs and communications in areas affected by hurricanes, severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, specifically for Hurricane Helene-affected areas and Vermont. Highlights include:

• OFLC said it will continue to contact employers and their authorized attorneys or agents primarily using email and will use U.S. mail where email addresses are not available. Employers are reminded to check their email routinely for information related to their OFLC applications. If an employer is affected by internet and power outages, the employer may contact OFLC using the phone numbers listed in the notices.
• OFLC noted that if a geographic area has no or partial U.S. mail delivery and no planned restoration date, it will contact employers and their authorized attorneys or agents via email, if that information is disclosed on the application, to arrange for the delivery of correspondence using alternate services or to a mailing address not affected by mail delivery disruptions. In these circumstances, employers and/or their authorized attorneys or agents should contact the applicable OFLC National Processing Center using the information provided in the notice.
• “For each of OFLC’s programs, the most effective means of communicating with OFLC is through the established Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) or the PERM Case Management System (‘PERM system’) and should be used whenever possible,” OFLC said. “In the event an employer or its authorized attorney or agent is unable to communicate with OFLC through FLAG or the PERM system, alternative methods of contacting OFLC regarding each of OFLC’s programs” appears in the FAQs.

Extensions of time and deadlines may be granted depending on the circumstances, OFLC said. The notice includes additional details about closing offices, moving workers or worksites, changing start dates for employment, and other disaster-related issues.