29 U.S.C. § 2703 — Definitions

As used in this chapter: (1) “Advanced workplace practices” means new ways of organizing and doing work. They include high-performance workplace systems, flexible production techniques, quality programs, continuous improvement, concurrent engineering, close relationships between suppliers and customers, widely shared decision-making and work teams, and effective integration of production technology, worker skills and training, and workplace organization. They also include other characteristics that the Secretary of Labor, after consulting the Secretary of Commerce, decides are appropriate. (2) “Advanced workplace technologies” includes (A) numerically controlled machine tools, robots, automated process-control equipment, computerized flexible manufacturing systems, related computer software, and other state-of-the-art technology for improving the manufacturing and industrial production of goods and commercial services; or (B) new industrial and commercial techniques and processes that were not previously generally available and that improve quality, productivity, and practices, including engineering design, quality assurance, concurrent engineering, continuous process production technology, inventory management, upgraded worker skills, communications with customers and suppliers, and promotion of sustainable economic growth. (3) “Department” means the Department of Labor. (4) “Nonprofit organization” means a tax-exempt organization described in paragraph (3), (4), or (5) of section 501(c) of title 26. (5) “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor. (6) “Worker organization” means a labor organization within the meaning of section 501(c)(5) of title 26.