The Wage and Hour Division of the DOL has begun collaboration with the Department of Labor and Human Resources in Puerto Rico to boost employer compliance on the island. Although not a state, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico is subject to the same federal laws that govern the rest of the U.S. This means that there are both federal and local labor laws to take into consideration when enforcing rules for proper workplace operations.
This new agreement solidifies the partnership between government agencies. The goal is to increase the effectiveness of communication and share in the process of investigating employers in Puerto Rico who are suspected of violating PR or Federal laws. To facilitate this process, inspectors from both agencies will be educated about the various rules that govern wages and how these overlap.
Employers in Puerto Rico Should Seek Greater Compliance Now
With the support and resources of the federal government now available on an unprecedented level, the DOL in Puerto Rico is likely to increase enforcement efforts. Employers would do well to review their policies, practices, and procedures (especially for wage and hour recordkeeping) to ensure compliance.
In related news, the USCIS has launched a Spanish language version of its informational web pages about E-Verify. This means Puerto Rican employers now have better access to this tool for verifying worker eligibility. This will be especially important for PR employers who want to win federal contracts (or subcontracts) since the use of E-Verify is a requirement. Other private employers may also wish to explore the pros and cons of using this free online tool to see if it will streamline and add consistency to their I9 administration process.
Emerald Software Group Can Help
Universal Onboarding is equipped to present new hires with onboarding forms in the language of their choice (including Spanish). It can also be interfaced with E-Verify if desired. Updated policies and forms can be added at any time to inform new hires of their rights and explain how wages are calculated.
