The WHD Compliance Checklist refers to the structured self-audit guidelines and toolkits provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD).
These checklists help employers ensure they comply with federal labor standards like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and government contract rules. Passing a self-audit using these steps minimizes the risk of back-wage liabilities, penalties, and intense federal investigations. 📋 Core Components of a WHD Compliance Checklist 1. Employee Classification Rules
Exempt vs. Non-Exempt: Verify that salaried employees meet both the specific job duties criteria and salary thresholds to be legally exempt from overtime.
Independent Contractors: Review the economic reality of relationships to ensure workers are not misclassified as contractors instead of employees. 2. Minimum Wage & Overtime Tracking
Base Rates: Ensure all non-exempt workers receive at least the federal minimum wage (or state rate, if higher) for all hours worked.
Workweek Rules: Establish a fixed, consecutive 7-day workweek to accurately calculate overtime over 40 hours.
Regular Rate Deductions: Confirm that regular rate calculations include nondiscretionary bonuses, shift differentials, and piece rates before figuring overtime. 3. Rigorous Recordkeeping
Personal Data: Maintain the legal name, address, job role, and birth date (if under 19) for every staff member.
Time Sheets: Secure accurate, signed daily and weekly time sheets for all non-exempt staff.
Document Retention: Keep core payroll records safely on file for a minimum of three years. 4. Leave & Special Protections Compliance Assistance Toolkits | U.S. Department of Labor
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