ACA Reporting
ACA Compliance Lessons Learned From Recent Reporting Seasons
Common themes emerge when reflecting on recent ACA reporting seasons that can help employers reduce administrative burdens and improve accuracy.
Employers
DOL Self-Audit Programs Employers Should Be Watching
The Department of Labor encourages employers to review their own practices before issues turn into penalties.
The Department of Labor encourages employers to review their own practices before issues turn into penalties, complaints or full investigations. These self-audit tools are designed to help HR spot small problems early and strengthen compliance programs across payroll, benefits, leave management and workplace safety. HR professionals can benefit from understanding what the DOL looks for and how to use these tools internally.
Wage and Hour Reviews
The Wage and Hour Division provides guidance for reviewing pay practices under the Fair Labor Standards Act. HR can use these tools to check:
- Whether exempt and non-exempt classifications are correct
- Overtime calculations
- Off-the-clock work risks
- Accuracy of payroll records
- Proper treatment of contractors versus employees
Routine reviews help HR identify mistakes before they result in back-wages or enforcement actions.
FMLA Self-Audit Guidance
The DOL offers checklists to help employers ensure they are correctly administering the Family and Medical Leave Act. HR can review eligibility determinations, required notices, certification handling and how consistently leave is approved. Internal reviews also help ensure employees are reinstated properly and protected from retaliation.
Worker Misclassification Resources
Misclassification remains a priority for the DOL. The agency provides guidance to help employers confirm that exempt employees meet both duties and salary requirements and that independent contractors are correctly classified.
OSHA Safety Checklists
OSHA encourages employers to conduct voluntary assessments of workplace safety programs. HR can use these tools to confirm required training has been completed, OSHA logs are accurate and hazards are being addressed. These reviews also help promote a culture of safety and reduce workplace incidents.
EBSA Tools for Health and Retirement Plans
The Employee Benefits Security Administration offers resources for evaluating compliance with ERISA, COBRA, mental health parity and claims procedures. HR can use these checklists to confirm notices are issued correctly, plan documents are up to date and benefit administration follows legal requirements.
Why Self-Audits Matter
Regular self-reviews allow HR teams to:
- Uncover compliance challenges before employees do
- Reduce the risk of costly investigations
- Strengthen internal controls and documentation
- Demonstrate a good-faith effort to comply with federal rules
Where to Learn More
The Department of Labor provides all self-audit tools and guidance online. HR professionals can explore resources across Wage and Hour, OSHA, FMLA and EBSA at www.dol.gov.
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or benefits advice. Readers should not rely on this information for taking (or not taking) any action relating to employment, compliance, or benefits. Always consult with a qualified professional before making decisions based on this content.
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