US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division to offer free compliance seminar in Columbia, SC, Aug. 7, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division will offer a comprehensive compliance seminar for employers, community rehabilitation programs and other stakeholders on the rules governing the payment of workers with disabilities under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT at the University of South Carolina Thomas Cooper Library, Ernest F. Hollings Library Program Room, 1322 Greene St., Columbia, S.C. 29208. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend. Guardians and family members of workers with disabilities are also encouraged to attend.

"The department is committed to ensuring that all of our stakeholders — employers, community rehabilitation programs, advocates, workers and other interested parties — fully understand the rules that apply to employing workers with disabilities at subminimum wages," said Dr. David Weil, administrator for the Wage and Hour Division. "We are pleased to provide this seminar and to offer this training, which is a key component of the department's ongoing effort to increase awareness and enhanced compliance with our regulations."

The division is diligent in enforcing all requirements to protect both workers and employers, and in providing compliance assistance to enable employers to achieve FLSA compliance proactively. Training will cover topics, such as the 14(c) certification process, performing prevailing wage surveys and conducting time studies. The department's Section 14(c) online calculators, which can be used to determine commensurate wage rates for employees, will be demonstrated. Participants will learn about common compliance problems for Section 14(c) certificate holders and how to avoid them.

The seminar will include a video presentation from the department's Office of Disability Employment Policy, which discusses new initiatives designed to help people with significant disabilities achieve integrated, full-wage employment. These initiatives feature resources, employment service options and policies that promote integrated employment.

The president recently signed an executive order requiring all individuals working under construction, service or concession contracts with the federal government to be paid a minimum wage of $10.10 per hour on all contracts beginning Jan. 1, 2015. This includes workers with disabilities working on those contracts that are currently exempt from minimum wage requirements under FLSA Section 14(c). Ensuring compliance with all wage requirements for all workers, especially the most vulnerable, remains the Wage and Hour Division's top priority.

Conference space is limited. Complete the registration online at http://www.dol.gov/whd/specialemployment/FreeSeminar_Section14c.htm. An email will be sent to confirm registration. Members of the public with questions about the conference should call 770-940-1872.

For more information on Section 14(c) of the FLSA and other federal wage laws administered by the Wage and Hour Division, call the department's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243) or visit the agency's website at http://dol.gov/whd/.