Wage and Hour Compliance: Payroll Audits
One of the most common (and costly) mistakes employers can make when it comes to their workforce is improper payroll practices. This includes incorrectly classifying a worker as an independent contractor (instead of an employee), improper exemptions for purposes of overtime pay (and assuming that if an employee is paid by salary, they automatically are not entitled to overtime), and generally failing to implement proper timekeeping/recording procedures which results in incorrect payment of wages to employees.
In many circumstances, an employee who successfully brings a pay claim against an employer may also recover the payment of their attorney’s fees as part of their damages. For these reasons, it is important for employers to ensure that they are using proper payroll practices to accurately pay their employees and also to protect their business from litigation.
A payroll audit is the first step to ensure that your company is following proper payroll practices. At Scott Law Team, we provide packages for employers of all sizes and across the nation to ensure that you are paying your employees properly under both state and federal laws.
During a payroll audit, we will analyze your payroll practices, including the classification of your workers (employees and independent contractors), your timekeeping methods, and general pay for each of your employees. If corrections must be made, we will work with you to establish a plan to fix those practices and also may provide training to your management or Human Resources team to make sure they understand the legal requirements for payroll moving forward.
Laws governing pay (including laws requiring payment for overtime) apply to employers with as few as two (2) employees and are enforceable regardless of the amount of time you have been in business. From newly established start-ups to long-standing businesses, we can help get your payroll practices compliant with state and federal law. Contact Scott Law Team today for a consultation and to learn more about the packages we offer for payroll audits for your company.
