Dental Law - What You Need To Know
Dental Law - What You Need To Know
A summary of what every dental practice owner should know and implement in the day to day operations of their practice.
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Before a Wage & Hour Division Investigation

Before a Wage & Hour Division Investigation

9/5/2019 9:00:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 36
                                        
BEFORE A WAGE & HOUR DIVISION INVESTIGATION:
            
                                        
Take preventative measures to minimize exposure:
                                        
            
                    
  • Check all current and recent (within the last several years) 1099's and agency vendor agreements                 
                          
    • review job duties of those named independent contractors and verify that they should not be classified as employees
    •                 
                    
  •                 
  • Make sure that all job descriptions are current, accurately reflect job duties, and justify exemptions
  •                 
  • Review time keeping systems
  •                 
  • Employers may round up or round down fractions of hours up to 15 minutes (must be done consistently)
  •                 
  • Ensure that payroll records and record keeping procedures are current, accurate, and compliant
  •                 
  • Make sure that the time keeping system is convenient for entering all hours worked
  •                 
  • Develop a formal program for reporting and resolving employee wage concerns
  •             
            
                                        
Familiarize Staff In:
                                        
            
                    
  • Exempt vs non-exempt status                 
                          
    • based on law and cannot be altered
    •                     
    • non-exempt employees must be paid for all hours worked
    •                     
    • exempt employees cannot have deductions based on quality or quantity of work
    •                 
                    
  •                 
  • Overtime and record keeping training                 
                          
    • FLSA and state wage laws
    •                     
    • wage and hour policies and procedures
    •                 
                    
  •                 
  • DOL inspection procedures                 
                          
    • refuse the compliance officer on site until a search warrant is obtained
    •                     
    • request 72 hours to meet investigative demands
    •                     
    • request interviews and on-site inspection to take place at a reasonable time
    •                     
    • obtain outside counsel to help navigate the investigation process
    •                     
    • protect confidential information and trade secrets
    •                 
                    
  •                 
  • DOL investigation rights to:                 
                          
    • decline to provide advance notice of on-site audits
    •                     
    • investigate with or without probable cause or consent
    •                     
    • inspect payroll and tax records
    •                     
    • conduct surveillance, take photos, and collect evidence
    •                     
    • conduct employee interviews
    •                     
    • issue and enforce subpoenas for records and interviews
    •                 
                    
  •             
            
                                        
Designate an Investigation Response Team:
                                        
            
                    
  • Assign the following roles
  •                 
  • Designate a space for the opening/ closing conference, employee interviews, and for the Wage & Hour Division to work
  •             
            

OBERMAN LAW FIRM 

Stuart J. Oberman, Esq handles a wide range of legal issues for the dental profession including cyber security breaches, employment law, practice sales, OSHA, and HIPAA compliance, real estate transactions, lease agreements, noncompete agreements, dental board complaints, and professional corporations.
 
For questions or comments 
regarding this article 
please call (770) 554-1400
or visit 
www.obermanlaw.com
 
 Email Emily Scarborough at emily@obermanlaw.com to hear Stuart J. Oberman, Esq speak at your next event.

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