Watch Out: DOL Adding Auditors to the Wage & Hour Division

The U.S. Department of Labor is set to expand its enforcement team across the nation.

Announced Thursday, February 24th, the U.S. Department of Labor revealed that it is looking to add 100 investigators to its Wage and Hour Division. These 100 investigators are to support compliance and enforcement efforts which include:

• protecting the wages of workers, migrant and seasonal as well;

• family and medical leave rights;

• wage requirements for federal workers

The Wage and Hour Division handles the enforcement of some of the most comprehensive labor laws, laws that affect more than 148 million workers. This level of impact makes it one of the nation’s most crucial labor law enforcement agencies. The cornerstone of its enforcement team is the investigators. Investigators’ responsibilities include:

• Determining if employers are paying workers and affording them their rights as the law requires via investigations

• Ensuring that law-abiding employers are not undercut by violators.

• Advancing compliance with outreach and public education programs.

• Combating worker retaliation and misclassification of workers as independent contractors.

Acting Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman says the addition of the 100 new team members is a significant step in the right direction. She anticipates more hiring activity later in the fiscal year 2022. Looman does warn appropriations will determine their course of action. But, she remains optimistic they'll have the ability to add new talented professionals on board and expand their team.

The Wage and Hour Division collected $230 million in wages owed to 190,000 workers in the fiscal year 2021 alone. Division representatives also held 4,700 outreach events. These events educate employers and workers alike about their workplace rights and responsibilities.

Go to usajobs.gov to learn more about the available Wage and Hour Division positions. You'll be able to apply there should the roles interest you.

Key Takeaways for Our Clients:

• Make certain you are abiding by paying for proper wages and hours worked

• Make certain to classify employees properly, particularly independent contractors v. employees

Reach out to us at Holden Moss Knott Clark & Copley P.A. with any questions. If you would like more information about business management or financial strategies, give us a call for a no-risk discovery session. Call (919) 556-6216 or contact us via email at admin@holdenmoss.com. We look forward to working with you.