2025 Civil Penalties Increased

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The Department of Labor (DOL) has updated its 2025 inflation-adjusted penalties for employer violations of federal laws including:

• The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA);
• The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA);
• The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and
• The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act)

To ensure these penalties remain impactful, the DOL must update them for inflation by January 15 each year. Key penalty increases include:

• Federal wage or overtime violations rises to $2,515 per violation
• Failing to file Form 550 for an employee benefit plan increases to $2,739 per day
• Violations of the FMLA poster requirement increases to $216 per offense

These new civil penalty rates are effective January 15, 2025, and will take effect for any violations that have occurred since November 2, 2015.

Employers should become familiar with the new penalty amounts and review their pay practices, benefit plan administration, and safety protocols to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Download the bulletin for more details.