If you are a business leader and you have not had to respond to a pay practices audit by the U.S. Department of Labor, be grateful. DOL investigations are on the uptick. That means businesses that have not experienced a DOL audit may soon find the DOL at their door.
Rather than wait for a DOL visit (which it can do unannounced), employers should conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with applicable pay laws before a possible investigation. This is the best way to avoid the payment of damages and fines that the DOL can impose. It is also the best way to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation.
