Most organizations focus on profit – often ignoring human resource issues. However, employment law errors can cost organizations millions of dollars – much of which could have been avoided if employers knew what was required of them. Surgent’s Webinar, Preventing Employers from Getting Blown to Bits: The Minefields of Employment Law Compliance (ELAW), can help you dodge those dangers.
5 Key Employment Mistakes Organizations Make
Complying with employment law is not a simple task. Laws and regulations are in a state of constant flux on the federal, state and local levels. Failure to comply puts employers at risk of fines, penalties, front and back pay damages and administrative action.
So, what do the majority of employers do wrong? According to Steven K. Ludwig, an employment law attorney at Fox Rothschild, LLP – and presenter of the upcoming webinar, the five most common employment law mistakes organizations make are a failure to:
- Have an employee handbook (or failing to keep it current)
- Display required employment law posters
- Promptly investigate workplace harassment complaints
- Properly conduct criminal background checks
- Classify workers properly
Ludwig says the latter is particularly important to employers as major changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) take effect and the associated changes to income thresholds affect the majority of U.S. employers. Failure to comply have grave consequences.
Ludwig stresses that employers need to remember that many law firms accept employment law cases on a contingency fee basis – meaning disgruntled employees pay nothing up front and have nothing to lose. Once a complaint has been filed with the EEOC or in court on an employee’s behalf, other lawyers, other employees, or enforcement agencies may take notice. The bottom line? A single employee complaint can become a class-action and/or a full investigation. The key is to know what you’re facing.
Understanding new compliance challenges is absolutely critical for accountants who manage practices or advise businesses. Don’t miss critical learning opportunities in this arena from Surgent.
