29 C.F.R. § 3.8
§ 3.8 Action by the Secretary of Labor upon applications. (29 CFR Part 3)
Operative Text
The Secretary of Labor will decide whether or not the requested deduction is permissible under provisions of § 3.6; and will notify the applicant in writing of the decision.
Under 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.8, when an application for a wage deduction is submitted, the Secretary of Labor reviews it against the standards set out in § 3.6 and issues a written decision to the applicant. The provision establishes a formal review-and-notification process, meaning no deduction is self-authorizing — it requires an affirmative determination from the Secretary. The written notice serves as the official record of whether the deduction is permitted or denied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Contractors and subcontractors subject to the Copeland Act who seek approval for a wage deduction must understand that under 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.8, the Secretary of Labor makes the final call on permissibility and communicates that decision in writing. Compliant operators typically retain that written determination as documentation supporting any approved deduction taken from workers' wages. Proceeding with a deduction before receiving written authorization under § 3.8 would not align with the review process the regulation establishes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For workers on federally funded or assisted construction projects, 29 CFR Part 3 § 3.8 means that any deduction from wages must have been reviewed and approved in writing by the Secretary of Labor before it can lawfully be taken. Workers who believe an unapproved or improper deduction has been made from their pay may raise the absence of such written authorization as a concern when filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Consulting a worker-rights organization familiar with the Copeland Act can help in understanding what options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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