If you’ve only recently come across our blog, you’ll find that we talk a lot about compliance. There’s a good reason for it! There are so many different concerns vying for employers’ attention, and it’s easy for wage and hour issues to fall to the bottom of their to-do list. But we’ve repeatedly seen how falling out of compliance can severely impact organizations, and we try to do our best to educate both employers and employees about the risks and pitfalls noncompliance can bring.
With so many resources available on the internet, it can be difficult to know which ones are trustworthy and—equally as important—up to date. Here are (in no particular order) six of our favorite resources for employers and employees wanting to learn more about wage and hour compliance rules.
1) US Department of Labor Newsletter
If you’re looking for a quick but comprehensive overview of everything you need to know happening around labor laws in the US, this weekly newsletter is a great choice! It comes directly from the DOL to your inbox with quick overviews of the latest labor news, all linked to articles where you can learn more, straight from the source. You can check out their past newsletters, or subscribe here!
2) US Department of Labor Compliance Tool Kits
Maybe you’re less interested in staying up-to-date on labor news and just want to dive deep into a specific compliance topic. The DOL has you covered there, too! From agriculture to restaurants to childcare and beyond, they offer a collection of helpful tools tailored to each industry’s specific compliance needs. Check it out!
3) Employer.gov
If you have specific questions about compliance—like what posters you need to have visible at your business, understanding rules around recordkeeping, or employee rights regarding unionizing—Employer.gov is an excellent resource. From information around applicable laws to important questions employers may not think to ask, this DOL-run website has it all (or at least a lot of it!).
4) Worker.gov
Understanding wage and hour compliance isn’t just for employers, it’s also important for employees to understand their rights. Worker.gov has a clear homepage with simplified worker issues: “I wasn’t paid properly.” “I was treated unfairly.” “I don’t feel safe at work.” The website then guides employees to well-organized pages with additional information and resources to help them determine what steps they can take to resolve the issue.
5) SHRM Resource Hub
For the HR professionals out there, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers a wide variety of resources relating to the field. While membership is required, their Resource Hub in particular provides some great breakdowns of often complex topics including FMLA, FLSA, ageism, cybersecurity, PTO and more. They also send out regular newsletters—daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly—with articles covering some of the hottest HR management topics of the day. Even without a membership, you can sign up for any of their newsletters here.
6) elaws Advisors
Last on our list, but certainly not least, elaws Advisors is a web-based service offered by the DOL. This site allows employers and employees to choose a relevant topic they have questions about, like, “Am I eligible for FMLA at work?” walking them through important questions step-by-step until they arrive at a clear answer. It’s like a Buzzfeed quiz with a little more weight behind it!
Stay In-the-know With Compliance
The phrase “knowledge is power” is especially true regarding areas of business compliance. Without knowing the rules, it’s nearly impossible to follow them. Whether your business’ compliance efforts are on track or you’re hoping to bring it back in line, we hope these resources are helpful to you. If you have any questions, give our team a call.
