Employers who fail to comply with Department of Labor (DOL) regulations—including those governing employee benefits, wage and hour laws, occupational safety and health, and workers’ compensation—will face steeper penalties in 2025 due to inflation-related adjustments. The revised penalty structure applies to violations occurring after November 2, 2015, with penalties assessed on or after January 15, 2025.
Although the DOL seldom imposes the maximum penalty and frequently waives fines for infractions caused by reasonable circumstances, the risk of substantial penalties serves as a key enforcement mechanism and deterrent for noncompliance.
