[VIDEO] DOL Increases Civil Penalty Amounts for 2021

MyTPG Blog
Published: 02/15/21 5:00 AM

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[VIDEO] DOL Increases Civil Penalty Amounts for 2021

This article was published on: 02/15/21 5:00 AM



The Department of Labor (DOL) has released its inflation-adjusted monetary civil penalty amounts for 2021 that may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including:


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This Compliance Bulletin is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice.

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

To maintain their deterrent effect, the DOL is required to adjust these penalties for inflation, no later than Jan. 15 of each year. Key penalty increases include the following:

  • The maximum penalty for violations of federal minimum wage or overtime requirements increases from $2,050 to $2,074 per violation.
  • The maximum penalty for failing to file a Form 5500 for an employee benefit plan increases from $2,233 to $2,259 per day.
  • The maximum penalty for violations of the poster requirement under the FMLA increases from $176 to $178 per offense.

Highlights

Annual Updates

The DOL must adjust its civil penalty amounts for inflation each year.

Possible Penalties

The DOL may assess these penalties on employers that violate federal laws that the DOL enforces, such as the FLSA, ERISA, the FMLA and the OSH Act.

Compliance Review

To minimize potential liability, employers should review their compliance with laws enforced by the DOL.

Effective Date

Jan. 15, 2021

The increased amounts apply to civil penalties that are assessed after Jan. 15, 2021 (for violations occurring after Nov. 2, 2015).

Action Steps

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.

The Department of Labor released its 2021 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including OSHA. This Legal Update video explains further.

Civil Penalty Amounts for 2021

REQUIREMENT 2020 PENALTY AMOUNT2021 PENALTY AMOUNT
WAGE AND HOUR
Repeated or willful violations of minimum wage or overtime requirements (FLSA)Up to $2,050 for each violationUp to $2,074 for each violation
Violations of child labor lawsUp to $13,072 for each employee subject to the violationUp to $13,227 for each employee subject to the violation
Violations of child labor laws that cause death or serious injury to an employee under age 18Up to $59,413 for each violation (doubled to $118,826 if the violation is repeated or willful)Up to $60,115 for each violation (doubled to $120,230 if the violation is repeated or willful)
Willful failure to post FMLA general noticeUp to $176 for each separate offenseUp to $178 for each separate offense
Violations of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)Up to $21,410 for each violation  Up to $21,663 for each violation
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Failure to file an annual report (Form 5500) with the DOL (unless a filing exemption applies)Up to $2,233 per dayUp to $2,259 per day
Failure of a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) to file an annual report (Form M-1) with the DOLUp to $1,625 per dayUp to $1,644 per day
Failure to furnish plan-related information requested by the DOL *Under ERISA, administrators of employee benefit plans must furnish to the DOL, upon request, any documents relating to the employee benefit plan.Up to $159 per day, but not to exceed $1,594 per requestUp to $161 per day, but not to exceed $1,613 per request
Failure to provide the annual notice regarding CHIP coverage opportunities *This notice applies to employers with group health plans that cover residents of states that provide a premium assistance subsidy under a Medicaid or CHIP program.Up to $119 per day for each failure (each employee is a separate violation)Up to $120 per day for each failure (each employee is a separate violation)
For 401(k) plans, failure to provide blackout notice or notice of right to divest employer securitiesUp to $141 per dayUp to $143 per day
Failure to provide summary of benefits and coverage (SBC)Up to $1,176 per failure  Up to $1,190 per failure  
EMPLOYEE SAFETY – OSH ACT
Violation of posting requirementUp to $13,494 for each violationUp to $13,653 for each violation
Other-than-serious violationUp to $13,494 for each violationUp to $13,653 for each violation
Serious violationUp to $13,494 for each violationUp to $13,653 for each violation
Willful violationBetween $9,639 and $134,937 per violationBetween $9,753 and $136,532 per violation
Uncorrected violationUp to $13,494 per day until the violation is correctedUp to $13,563 per day until the violation is corrected

We can help you to become more familiar with these Civil Penalty Amounts for 2021. For more information, visit our Contact Us page or call (855) 874-4677 to talk to a specialist. You can also check out our Commercial Insurance offerings!


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