Two years ago the HR contact person at a small firm asked me the million dollar question, “Why are we having this conversation about DOL investigations? Has something changed that I should be aware of?” That was a great question. Not every trumpeting voice requires a response. Sometimes you’re better off turning down the volume.
Except in this case, the changes are real and include:
Increased investigations
Increased number of judgments
Increased base penalties
In August 2016, penalties increased for ERISA (benefits) violations, DOL (overtime and minimum wage), OSHA (health and safety), and I-9 violations (employment verification documents), among others. In each of these areas, the penalty either doubled or almost doubled from 2015 as seen in the 2016 inflation penalty chart published by Dept of Labor in 2016.
One suggestion from executive advantage is to take the year of 2017 to get your HR ducks in order. Call now about the new HR Pathways.