DOL Gears Up for Small Business

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Dept of Labor, http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/NewSmallBus.pdf

Recently the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) introduced a new publication, Labor Standards for New and Small Businesses. Recognizing that the regulatory environment and its associated compliance issues can be particularly difficult for small business owners, the DOL developed the guide, "to assist new and small businesses to properly and effectively stay in compliance with the laws and regulations administered by the division." To that end, Labor Standards provides general information about the laws administered by the division, the department and other federal agencies.

The guide covers the major statutes administered by the division, covering the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), youth employment, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA), immigration policies and more.

"We produced the guide to help new and small businesses properly and effectively stay in compliance with the often complex laws and regulations administered by the division," further explains Loren Smith, DOL Office of Public Affairs spokesperson. "The WHD recognizes that new and small businesses often need help identifying and understanding labor standards laws and regulations that apply to them. The guide provides these businesses with easy-to-understand general information and facts about where else in the department or federal government a new or small business could go for additional information."

Recently, the WHD has taken greater steps to assist both small and emerging businesses, using a four-pronged approach composed of online-based tools, translated and new compliance materials, business partnerships and training and seminars.

1. "The WHD has been and continues expanding the information available to small businesses on its websites," Smith says.
2. The division has developed a number of industry-specific fact sheets and guides, which are posted on the agency's website, mailed to employers and provided at seminars and exhibits. In addition, the WHD is continuing its efforts to translate materials into Spanish and Asian languages. This effort is intended to provide compliance assistance materials for employers—many of whom are immigrant entrepreneurs new to business—in a language they can understand.
3. The WHD is also expanding its strategic partnerships with business associations, businesses and community organizations in an effort to reach small employers who receive information through their associations.
4. The division also continues to provide training and participate in seminars to reach small employers," adds Smith. "Last year, WHD staff members participated in more than 1,700 presentations, seminars, town halls and training events."

"Overall, the goal of our initiative is simple: To broaden the degree and quality of compliance assistance resources for small businesses," observes Smith.

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