| After receiving correspondence from the Department of Labor notifying the practice owner of an audit, practice owners often ask, “Why am I being investigated?” The following list includes reasons and complaints that may instigate a Department of Labor audit investigation: |
| – A complaint by a current or former employee regarding alleged improper compensation practices – Alleged non-compliance complaint – A complaint that job descriptions do not accurately reflect the work employees actually perform – Non-exempt employees not being paid for all of the work they perform – Form 5500 issues – Improper classification of exempt employees – Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance – Lack of independent contractor status verification – Overtime compliance issues – Inadequate wage & hour record keeping systems |
| Department of Labor compliance officers typically check dental practices for the following: |
| – Improper minimum wage and overtime payments – Unrecorded and improperly paid work – Improper straight salary compensation of employees – Minimum age requirements for employees – Falsification of personnel, payroll, or time keeping records – Grounds for discrimination charges on equal pay for equal work – Possible discrimination charges for wage and salary policies affecting employees over the age of 40 – Improper payroll deductions on garnishees, tools, uniforms, and company merchandise |
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