Compliance Assistance - Drop-In Article

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Helping Workers and Employers Understand Federal Labor Laws

From workplace health and safety, to health insurance and retirement benefits, workers and employers often need help understanding their rights and responsibilities under federal labor laws. That's why the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) launched the Compliance Assistance Initiative - to provide businesses and workers with the knowledge and tools they need to comply with DOL's rules.

Launched in June of 2002, DOL's Compliance Assistance Initiative aims to reduce labor law violations and to protect the wages, health benefits, retirement security, safety and health of America's workers.

"The idea that the government ought to provide workers and businesses with the knowledge and tools to help people comply with its regulations should be a top priority of the Department of Labor," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

Today, a variety of free DOL tools help America's workers and employers access clear and accurate information and assistance when and where they need it. These resources include:

• A compliance assistance Web site that serves as a gateway to a wide assortment of compliance assistance information such as fact sheets, e-tools and background on DOL's laws. The site - www.dol.gov/compliance - also enables users to ask questions via e-mail.
• DOL's Toll-Free Help Line - 1-866-4-USA-DOL - offers access to information on a wide range of employment laws and issues. Callers will find answers to questions about job loss, business closures, pay and leave, workplace safety and health, pension and health benefits and re-employment rights for veterans, National Guard members and Reservists. Operator assistance is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time in English or Spanish, with additional service in more than 140 languages.
• A set of free, interactive e-tools, called the elaws Advisors - (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses). Located at www.dol.gov/elaws, these online tools guide users to specific employment law information. More than 20 Advisors cover issues such as rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and minimum wage and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• The Employment Law Guide describes DOL's major laws and regulations in plain and simple terms, and it is a valuable resource for employers needing introductory information to help them establish important workplace policies for their businesses. The free publication is available in either English or Spanish. To order, call 1-866-4-USA-DOL or download it from the DOL Web site at www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/.

For more information, call 1-866-4-USA-DOL or visit www.dol.gov/compliance.