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Last week, the Department of Labor's (DOL’s) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced the launch of several compliance assistance tools. Specifically, these resources were designed to promote greater compliance with federal labor laws. Additionally, the agency believes the compliance assistance tools will equip employers with the knowledge needed to prevent violations. In late January, the WHD announced that it recovered the highest amount of back wages for employees in fiscal year 2025. In fact, the total was the highest amount of money recovered since 2019. Specifically, the WHD recovered more than $259 million in back wages for nearly 177,000 employees nationwide.
Overview of the Compliance Assistance Tools
Markedly, the new tools include the following:
- a compliance assistance webpage,
- a video series on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and
- revamped compliance assistance toolkits for various industries.
In addition to encouraging employer compliance, the resources inform American businesses and workers about federal labor laws.
“The Wage and Hour Division is here to help employers make informed decisions about compliance so they can focus on running their businesses,” said Wage and Hour Administrator Andrew Rogers. “We know that most employers want to follow the law and do right by their employees, so we are eager to offer these new resources to help them understand their obligations. We encourage American businesses and workers to take advantage of the new toolkits and FMLA videos, which are easy to use and available on our website.”
A Look at the Compliance Assistance Webpage
To explain its purpose, the WHD created a dedicated webpage outlining the agency's work. Unquestionably, the WHD enforces laws that set minimum wage and working condition standards in the United States. The agency wants employers to use this webpage to find tools, fact sheets, posters, and other guidance to help understand and comply with federal labor laws. Topics found on the webpage include:
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Child Labor Laws
- Government Contracts
Brief Overview of the FMLA Video Series
Overall, the FMLA applies to private-sector employers with 50 or more employees and to public agencies. Public agencies include state, local, and federal governments, as well as public schools. Under the FMLA, employees may take unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. This includes taking FMLA leave for mental health care.
To assist employers in complying with FMLA regulations, the DOL released a collection of videos explaining the law's provisions. In detail, video series topics include:
- Covered vs. Non-Covered Employers
- Employee Eligibility
- Qualification Reasons
- FMLA Prohibitions
Descriptions of Updated Compliance Assistance Toolkits
Lastly, the WHD has updated and added to another set of compliance assistance tools. These tools are known as “Compliance Assistance Toolkits.” Basically, these resources answer the most frequently asked questions that the agency receives about federal labor standards. The Toolkits webpage includes 14 separate topics. Examples of topics are:
- Basic Compliance Assistance
- Agriculture
- Youth Employment
- Restaurant Employment
- Resort and Hotel Employment
- Construction
Furthermore, each topic includes such breakdowns as
- Key Things Employers Need to Know
- Specific Guidance & Resources
- Additional Tips, Resources, & Responsibilities
Employer Takeaways
In conclusion, the DOL reminds employers that it continues its longstanding tradition of protecting workers’ rights, particularly in federal labor law compliance. The release of these compliance assistance tools will help businesses comply with applicable labor laws. Lastly, if any workers or employers have questions regarding the FLSA, FMLA, or other miscellaneous federal labor laws, they can call the Wage and Hour Division at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).
