Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers

Civil Penalty Amounts Increase

Written by Clyde Villa | Jan 21, 2020 9:20:14 PM

1 minute read

The Department of Labor (DOL) adjusted its civil penalty amounts for inflation each year. The DOL may assess these penalties on employers that violate federal laws that the DOL enforces including:

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

The key penalty increases for 2020 include:

  • The maximum penalty for failing to file a Form 550 for an employee benefit plan increases to $2,233 per day.
  • The maximum penalty for violations of the poster requirement under the FMLA increases to $176 per each offense.
  • The maximum penalty for violations of federal minimum wage or overtime requirements increases to $2,050 per violation.

Employers should be aware of the new penalties amounts and review their pay practices, benefit administration, and safety protocols to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

For more information, download the bulletin.