Heller School dean David Weil nominated to labor department post

David Weil

President Joe Biden has tapped David Weil, dean of the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, to serve in a key role in the United States Department of Labor.

The White House announced Thursday that Weil was nominated as administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, a position he previously held in President Barack Obama’s labor department from 2014 to 2017. Weil notified the Heller School community of his nomination in a letter on Thursday. He has served as dean of the Heller School since 2017.

"I have said before that the only reason I would consider leaving Heller would be if I received a call from the White House, and despite the challenges of this year, that sentiment remains true,” Weil said in the letter. “Working as a part of this amazing community is an honor and I am extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished since I arrived in 2017."

The Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division oversees enforcement of fundamental labor standards, such as the minimum wage, overtime, child labor, employee categorization and family medical leave. The nomination will require confirmation by the Senate, and Weil said he intends to continue in his role as dean until the process is complete.

Weil has decades of experience researching labor, employment, labor policy, and advising government agencies on policy related to labor. He has authored numerous articles and papers on work and the labor force, as well as five books, including "The Fissured Workplace: Why Work Became So Bad for So Many and What Can Be Done to Improve It."

Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz congratulated Weil on his nomination in a letter to the university community.

"David has been an exemplary leader here at Brandeis, and the U.S. government would be fortunate to once again benefit from his leadership,” Liebowitz said. “Join me in wishing him the best as he pursues this exciting opportunity."