New help has arrived for employers who are struggling to be compliant with a tangle of employment laws and regulations.  Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor, unveiled two new initiatives, aimed at helping employers bring their businesses into compliance with labor regulations.  Under Chao’s direction, the Department of Labor is taking a “kinder, gentler” approach, focused on providing education and technical assistance for employers. 

It seems that the priority is not so much “catching the bad guys” as it is to “teach employers,” and assure that laws are not being broken inadvertently.  We are pleased to recommend these tools to you in our effort to assist your business with compliance issues.

Secretary Chao unveiled two new reference products:  an interactive e-tool known as FirstStep Employment Law Advisor, and a new Employment Law Guide. 

FirstStep Employment Law Advisor (www.dol.gov/elaws/) is an interactive tool designed to help employers identify which of the 23 different labor laws apply to their specific business or organization.  For example, if you have a concern about employees who might come in contact with asbestos, a link to an “advisor” would give you information about identifying hazards in your workplace, and understanding how OSHA regulations might apply to your unique worksite.

The Employment Law Guide (www.dol.gov/asp/programs/guide.htm) is a “layman’s version” of the department’s main laws and regulations.  You’ll find this guide to be especially helpful as you work with our staff to develop business policies that range from wages and benefits, to work authorization for non-U.S. citizens.  The guide is available online, or by contacting the Department of Labor at  1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365).  It is published in English and Spanish.

As always, part of our service to you includes assistance with compliance issues.  These resources will be great references, but don’t forget that you can always contact our office to talk directly with a specialist to iron out any Labor Law compliance issues.

Source:  Karyn-Siobhan Robinson.  “Labor Secretary Unveils New Business Compliance Tools.” 

SHRMOnline.  www.shrm.org/hrnews_published/CMS_004109.asp#P-12_0