If you recently received a notice from the New Jersey Department of Labor regarding an audit of your company, the time is now to speak with an employment attorney. The Department of Labor may begin an audit of your business as a standard practice or after a complaint is filed by an employee. These investigations evaluate whether your company is complaint with state and federal laws and regulations involving overtime pay, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, and other employment matters related to your business. In New Jersey, an audit by the state or federal Department of Labor will require extensive documentation and information gathering on your part to ensure a positive outcome. In order to prepare and address all of the Department’s questions effectively, it is highly advisable to retain knowledgeable legal counsel.
An audit by the New Jersey or United States Department of Labor can happen to any employer at anytime. The department may conduct an audit randomly on a company of any size. Unbeknownst to many, not all investigations by the NJ Labor Department occur because of an employee reporting a company violation. Some of the most common complaints that lead to Department of Labor audits in New Jersey involve wage and hour laws, misclassification of employees to avoid overtime pay requirements, failure to pay minimum wage, inadequate workers compensation insurance coverage, and other violations of employer obligations.
It is critical to understand the audit process and frequent requests from auditors so that you are thoroughly prepared for a Department of Labor inquiry. You will generally receive a notice in the mail from the NJ LWD informing you that an audit of your business will be performed. It is then time to gather all of the information and documentation you will need to protect your business from being issued penalties. It will first be important to determine the focus of the investigation, whether it be compliance with overtime pay or minimum wage laws, exempt versus nonexempt classification of employees, workers’ compensation, or other employment practices.
You must be prepared to answer questions and provide documentation to demonstrate your compliance. Some of the typical documents needed include certifications, payroll records, company policies, and proof of coverage. New Jersey requires companies to maintain records and have them readily accessible at the place of business for the current year and four prior years. If the audit is only focused on the current calendar year, you will need to produce these records. If the Department of Labor’s inspection covers more than one year, the years requested will be required.
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**The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
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