GREAT LAKES CONSULTING SERVICES v. NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

**Great Lakes Consulting Services v. New York State Department of Labor (2012)** Great Lakes Consulting Services challenged a decision made by the New York State Department of Labor in an administrative proceeding. The consulting company disagreed with how the Department of Labor handled their case and took their dispute to court, seeking to overturn the agency's ruling. The Appellate Division court dismissed Great Lakes Consulting Services' challenge entirely. This meant the court refused to overturn the Department of Labor's original decision and sided with the state agency. The consulting company's legal challenge failed, and the Department of Labor's administrative ruling remained in place. This case demonstrates that courts generally respect employment agencies' authority to make administrative decisions within their area of expertise. For workers, this ruling reinforces that state labor departments have significant power to enforce employment laws and regulations. When these agencies make decisions about workplace disputes, employers face an uphill battle trying to overturn them in court. Workers can take some confidence that labor department rulings in their favor are likely to be upheld, even when employers challenge them through the court system.