10 Useful Department of Labor Resources
Thursday, 1st September 2011
Nothing can be more crippling to an organization than ignorance of the law. With the ever-changing employment legislation at the state and federal level, staying informed is of the utmost importance to every hiring professional. The Department of Labor contains a wealth of information to inform, educate and explain many of the issues and policies affecting employers today. Here is a list of frequently requested resources on the DOL website.
The frequently asked questions page is a great place to start when you’re looking for anything DOL related. The questions are grouped by topic for easy navigation, from Laws and Regulations to Workers’ Compensation to Health Plans & Benefit and Jobs & Training. This is a great place to start getting easy answers to tough questions.
The forms library is the second most useful page on this site, behind FAQs. Who knew that even after paperwork reduction and e-government we’d still be required to turn in those pesky forms? Luckily, the DOL has compiled an exhaustive list of required forms for all things labor. This database is searchable by keyword or categorized by title, number or agency: Nifty, huh?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a handy little report the DOL publishes on a monthly basis. In these global times of lightning speed communication everyone is your customer from vendors and employees to people who purchase products and services. Stay abreast of the latest data in your industry in one convenient place: the Consumer Price Index.
How did the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act change COBRA coverage in 2010? Do you need to change your policies? What will the changes cost? You’ve got questions? This DOL page will give you peace of mind. You can learn about premium reduction requirements, how to submit documents properly, as well as important tax information for you organization.
Unemployment Insurance can be a complex issue for employer and employee alike. The patchwork regulations and statutes across the states are enough to keep even the most astute employer constantly guessing. This section of the site delves deeply into every angle; you will be sure to benefit from visiting this site frequently.
For a table of required postings, visit the workplace poster requirements section of the DOL site. Here you can easily lookup your specific employment situation. This list even includes posters of special interest to federal contractors. Be sure to contact your state Department of Labor to obtain information about your state’s specific requirements.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) provides specific guidelines for workplace hazards as well as individual industries. Keep your employees healthy, keep your employees! OSHA pages provide assistance for complying with standards in reducing occupational injuries and illnesses.
Besides the federal minimum wage, many states have enacted their own policies dictating employment wage. Staying within compliance of these laws will save your organization a headache or two, not to mention a chunk of change. This page can help answer questions and avoid pitfalls.
Don’t be caught unawares of this one. The Family Medical Leave Act affects a large number of employers. Compliance information, facts sheets and FAQs for special cases abound. Make sure to visit regularly so you can always stay compliant and profitable.
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) covers much more than minimum wage. FLSA includes overtime, time clock limits, employer recordkeeping and child labor. There is a bounty of tools here to help you stay compliant. You can even get interpretive guidance through published opinion letters, bulletins and handbooks.
Of course the DOL website contains much more information; however, these links should help keep you informed on some of the top pressing employment issues and policies. If you have a question relating to employment, remember, you can always contact the Department of Labor.