Labor and Employment FAQs

• Q: What laws does the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor enforce?
  A: The Wage and Hour Division enforces several federal laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Migrant and Seasonal … More
• Q: What does an investigation of an employer by the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor involve?
  A: First, WHD investigators will determine whether an employer is subject to the federal laws that the WHD enforces. If the employer is subject to those laws, then … More
• Q: Will I receive any advance notice if my company is being investigated by the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor?
  A: Maybe. Many times, an investigator will notify an employer that WHD is opening an investigation. Other times, because the investigator wants to observe … More
• Q: If a complaint has been made about my company to the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor, will I know?
  A: WHD cannot disclose who has made a complaint, the content of the complaint, or the fact that a complaint was even made. As a result, WHD typically will not tell … More
• Q: Can the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor investigate my business if no complaint has been made?
  A: Yes. WHD targets certain types of businesses for investigations, such as low-wage industries that have higher rates of noncompliance with applicable laws, or … More
• Q: What happens in an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor?
  A: WHD typically begins by verifying that your business is in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, which normally involves examining the business’s … More
• Q: How do I receive the results of an investigation of my business by the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor?
  A: Once WHD has completed its investigation, the investigator will meet with the business’s officials and disclose any violations that were found, as well as the … More
• Q: Can I be represented by an attorney during an investigation of my business by the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor?
  A: Yes. You have the right to have your business represented by an attorney throughout the WHD investigation. More
• Q: What happens if the Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) of the U.S. Department of Labor finds that my business has violated a law that it enforces?
  A: WHD will make every attempt to resolve violations that it found during its investigation by entering into an agreement with your business to correct the violations … More