Guess the feds don’t feel it’s enough to pass laws and expect companies to follow them. The Department of Labor plans to require you to submit a written plan outlining just how you’re going to follow employment regulations.
That was the message delivered in a recent appearance by DOL Deputy Secretary Seth Harris, who said the proposal was aimed at changing what he called a “catch me if you can” attitude on the part of employers.
The new “compliance plans” will cover wage and hour, safety and discrimination issues. Although the specifics haven’t been worked out yet, it appears the documents will not just cover general procedures for following workplace laws, but include documentation of various employment decisions like classifying workers as exempt or non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The rule-making process could take up to a year, Harris said. He added that the rules wouldn’t be officially adopted until businesses have a chance to respond to the proposals.
And we’re betting there’ll be a long and loud response from employers.
