Effective Date
- January 15, 2025: The increased amounts apply to civil penalties that are assessed after January 15, 2025 (for violations occurring after November 2, 2015).
The Department of Labor (DOL) released its 2025 inflation-adjusted civil monetary penalties which may be assessed on employers for violations of a wide range of federal laws, including:
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA);
- The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA);
- The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and
- The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).
To maintain their deterrent effect, the DOL is required to adjust these penalties for inflation, no later than January 15 of each year. Key penalty increases include the following:
- The maximum penalty for violations of federal minimum wage or overtime requirements increases from $2,451 to $2,515 per violation.
- The maximum penalty for failing to file a Form 5500 for an employee benefit plan increases from $2,670 to $2,739 per day.
- The maximum penalty for violations of the poster requirement under the FMLA increases from $211 to $216 per offense.
Action Steps
Employers should become familiar with the new penalty amounts and review their pay practices, benefit plan administration and safety protocols to ensure compliance with federal requirements.
Highlights
- Annual Updates: The DOL must adjust its civil penalty amounts for inflation each year.
- Possible Penalties: The DOL may assess these penalties on employers that violate federal laws that the DOL enforces, such as the FLSA, ERISA, the FMLA and the OSH Act.
- Compliance Review: To minimize potential liability, employers should review their compliance with laws enforced by the DOL.
REQUIREMENT | 2024 PENALTY AMOUNT | 2025 PENALTY AMOUNT | |
Wage and Hour |
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Repeated or willful violations of minimum wage or overtime requirements (FLSA) |
Up to $2,451 for each violation |
Up to $2,515 for each violation |
|
Violations of child labor laws |
Up to $15,629 for each employee subject to violation |
Up to $16,035 for each employee subject to violation |
|
Violations of child labor laws that cause death or serious injury to an employee under age 18 |
Up to $71,031 for each violation (doubled to $142,602 if the violation is repeated or willful) |
Up to $72,876 for each violation (doubled to $145,752 if the violation is repeated or willful) |
|
Willful failure to post FMLA general notice |
Up to $211 for each separate offense |
Up to $216 for each separate offense |
|
Violations of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) |
Up to $25,597 for each violation |
Up to $26,262 for each violation |
|
Employee Benefits |
|||
Failure to file an annual report (Form 5500) with the DOL (unless a filing exemption applies) |
Up to $2,670 per day |
Up to $2,739 per day |
|
Failure of a multiple employer welfare arrangement (MEWA) to file an annual report (Form M-1) with the DOL |
Up to $1,942 per day |
Up to $1,992 per day |
|
Failure to furnish plan-related information requested by the DOL |
Up to $190 per day, but not to exceed $1,906 per request |
Up to $195 per day, but not to exceed $1,956 per request |
|
Failure to provide the annual notice regarding CHIP coverage opportunities |
Up to $141 per day for each failure (each employee is a separate violation) |
Up to $145 per day for each failure (each employee is a separate violation) |
|
For 401(k) plans, failure to provide blackout notice or notice of right to divest employer securities |
Up to $169 per day |
Up to $173 per day |
|
Failure to provide summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) |
Up to $1,406 per failure |
Up to $1,443 per failure |
|
Employee Safety – OSH Act |
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Violation of posting requirement |
Up to $16,131 for each violation |
Up to $16,550 for each violation |
|
Other-than-serious violation |
Up to $16,131 for each violation |
Up to $16,550 for each violation |
|
Serious violation |
Up to $16,131 for each violation |
Up to $16,550 for each violation |
|
Willful violation |
Between $11,524 and $161,323 per violation |
Between $11,823 and $165,514 per violation |
|
Uncorrected violation |
Up to $16,131 per day until the violation is corrected |
Up to $16,550 per day until the violation is corrected |
Material posted on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legal opinion or medical advice. Contact your legal representative or medical professional for information specific to your legal or medical needs.