Labor compliance refers to the ability to conform to contract and statutory requirements for paying wages and qualifications of a workforce. The human resource department spearheads labor compliance, ensuring that workers receive legal and fair treatment. HR professionals need to keep up to date with the federal labor laws below which they cannot act. Six issues HR leaders should recognize include;
1. Anti-discrimination Laws
These laws forbid employment discrimination based on age, ethnic origin, race, sex, color, or disability. Employees should be hired on merit and treated equally in the workplace.
2. Safety Laws
Workers should have safe working conditions to avoid occupational hazards. The employer should provide them with the right equipment and gear where applicable to protect them from harm. In the event of an accident, the contractor should take care of the employee’s medical expenses.
3. Family and Medical Leave
Employees are entitled to leave days without losing or compromising their job and benefits. The leave applies to medical leave, maternity leave, or leave to care for an immediate family member.
4. Wage and Hour Laws
Hiring managers should meet the minimum wage requirements and compensate workers for overtime. They should not hire children, overwork employees and should include break time within the working hours for meals and rest.
5. Employee Benefits
HR managers should be privy to benefit laws applicable to their employees. These include retirement benefits, health insurance, and retrenchment benefits.
6. Immigration Laws
These laws state that hiring managers should only recruit people eligible to work in the country with proper documentation. However, they should be careful not to conflict with anti-discrimination laws.
