Expert Compliance Insights & Tips for Businesses

Each year, thousands of investigations take place by the Department of Labor (DOL), and if an employer is found to have non-compliance with the Labor laws, they may face severe consequences. Whether it is a DOL complaint against an employer filed by a current or former worker, or a Department of Labor audit, understanding how the investigation begins and what occurs during the investigation is important for every U.S. employer.

Each year about a lot of U.S. employers face costly OSHA violation fines due to a lack of workplace safety. It is important to understand what OSHA is, how it protects your workers and your business from any workplace hazards, and what the consequences of OSHA violations and penalties may be.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL’s) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced that it recovered the highest amount of back wages for employees in fiscal year 2025. In fact, the total is the highest amount of money recovered since 2019.

Workplace violence prevention is a systematic effort to identify hazards, protect employees, and respond to threats. It spans threats and verbal abuse through physical assault and homicide, with 740 workplace homicides reported in 2023. Many companies still treat prevention as optional. There is no specific federal violence standard, but ignoring workplace violence prevention invites citations under this clause and under various state laws. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) notes that violence can occur in any setting and is more likely when workers handle money, work alone, interact with unstable people, or operate in high‑crime areas. If you’re wondering how to prevent violence at work, remember that preventing workplace violence is both a legal requirement and a moral imperative.

An OSHA inspection is a formal workplace safety review conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), a division of the U.S. Department of Labor. During an OSHA inspection, compliance officers evaluate whether employers comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and other associated federal labor laws. An OSHA inspection is a government‑initiated enforcement activity. These inspections may be unannounced and can lead to citations and penalties if the compliance officer finds violations. Employers should view the inspection process as a chance to correct hazards and demonstrate good faith.

On January 14th, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) held its first public meeting in months and discussed, among other things, internal voting procedures. Notably, this was the first meeting since the EEOC reached quorum on October 27th, 2025.

On January 5th, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released multiple opinion letters discussing critical wage & hour topics. Specifically, one of the four documents informed readers on how to address whether specific bonuses can be excluded from regular pay calculations.

On December 29th, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued its 2026 standard mileage rate increases for calculating mileage deductions. In brief, the notice provides the optional rates for computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, medical, or moving expenses.

On December 19th, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released new information on State Paid Family and Medical Leave programs. Specifically, Notice 2026-06 extends the transition period established in 2025 by Revenue Ruling 2025-4 by one year.