The US Ministry of Arbeep Arbeits (DOL) recently expanded the opportunities for employers to examine themselves and to correct violations of various wage/hour and leave laws that manage them. These self -confidence programs are intended to help employers comply with the law and at the same time promote the protection of employees. Some of these programs -some of them are new and other extensions of existing or earlier programs -enable employers to reduce exposure to formal DOL examinations, disputes or punishments, while others are more informative in nature, whereby the focus is on proactive compliance with proactive employers.
- Wages Self -exams: The wage and hourly department of the DOL (WHD) has restarted It is Payroll audit independent determination (paid) program. This program previously ran from 2018 to early 2021 and enables employers to solve the minimum wage and overtime injuries in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In order to participate, an authorized employer must check certain compliance materials and receive certification before the examination is carried out. Next, the employer carries out self -confidence in order to determine potential violations together with wages that are due to the employees, and the employer reports these results to the WHD. The WHD evaluates the report and issues a summary of the unpaid wages together with a clearance of liability that the employees concerned may accept or remove. If the employer accepts, the employer issues the payment to solve the matter. It is advisable to advise yourself with a lawyer before carrying out yourself to confirm the authorization, to follow the necessary steps in order to maintain the authorization and to understand other risks, e.g. B. the risk and risk of risks associated with state law and hourly claims.
- Leave self -examinations: Employers can now also use them Paid program Violations of potential vacation injuries as part of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by following the same steps to self -examination of the wages. The ability to remedy potential FMLA violations is a helpful addition to the relaunched paid program.
- Self -tests of occupational safety and health administration (Osha): Dols Osha is expanding his Voluntary protection program (VPP). This program recognizes employers who meet performance-based criteria for an managed security and health protocol and freed them from routine OSHA prices and enforcement punishments. This program includes an application check and a strict evaluation on site, whereby a reassessment is being re -evaluated every three to five years. The Osha also increases its efforts through its efforts Building program on site Reliable security and health consulting services for the costs for security and health advice free of charge for small and medium-sized companies.
- Uniformed services employment and re-establishment law (userra) self-examination: Through being Support and support for managers in the “Training and Employment) for Userra (Salute)The Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the DOL offers informal Guidelines to employers to answer and solve questions about the employment of the Userra for the civilian employment of the member of the nation's agreed services. This includes informal guidelines on how users are used under certain circumstances and how the veterinarians manage users. Employers can continue to request A formally Veterinarians in relation to Userra Compliance is matters.
- Self-and health self-examinations for mines: self-tests: The DOL (MSHA) mining safety and health administration started a new one Compliance support in security and health (cash) program “To react to the expected increase in the domestic mining productivity of the United States”, since the national demand for minerals in the Executive Order 14154 is shown according to “free high energy supply). The cash program offers information resources for certain mining shops and direct contact to MSHA specialists for supporting compliance.
- Self -exams of the employee performance plan: The DOL management of employee services for services (EBSA) offers loyalty and performance plan administrators two valuable self-correction programs. The Voluntary trust correction program (VFCP) Offers the possibility to remedy violations of the law on the security of the employees of the employee (Erisa), which was discovered during an audit. B. trusted violations or forbidden transactions – and avoid associated consumption taxes. The Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program (DFVC) Offers the possibility to make a self -identified late annual submission with a reduced punishment. These are not new programs, but the VFCP was updated in 2025 to make it easier for users.
- Self -exams of the union: The DOL office for employment management standards (OLMS) manages a Volunteer Compliance Partnership Program (VCP). This program supports the unions and their connected companies in assessing compliance with the reporting and disclosure requirements as well as financial integrity as part of the Labor Management Report and the Opening Act (LMRDA).
The DOL has created a new employer website to describe these self -confidence programs. Although these programs offer additional useful instruments for employers in combating and/or avoiding potential violations, it is advisable to advise advice on advice to determine the authorization, to comply with all the necessary steps and to assess other tools and options.