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DOL Updates Web-based Compliance Tool to Help Employers Understand and Comply with Laws

Recently, the U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the addition of new and revised Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses (elaws Advisors) used to help employers and employees understand federal employment laws.  According to Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis, "the new online advisor harnesses technology to help take the mystery out of the new rules."  The new tools address H-1B classified workers, union elections, disability nondiscrimination laws and veterans' assistance.  For employers, the H-1B Advisor is designed to help employers determine whether a worker fulfills the requirements of the visa program by answering questions relevant to specific H-1B classified workers.  It also outlines notification requirements, monetary issues, worksite issues, recordkeeping, worker protections and additional requirements for employers deemed by DOL to be H1-B dependent.    Each year, 65,000 H-1B visas are issued to highly skilled, college-educated, temporary workers for a maximum of six years.  The Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor is designed to help employers determine which federal disability nondiscrimination laws apply to their business.  The Advisor also helps federal and federally assisted contractors understand their responsibilities under these laws. For employees, the OLMS Union Elections Advisor describes the rights of union members and candidates in union officer elections, and the responsibilities of union officers and others involved in conducting elections, as overseen by the Office of Labor Management Standards, while the updated e-VETS Resource Advisor assists veterans, service members and their families and caregivers to quickly and easily navigate through web-based information on a variety of topics including education, job training and employment.  Elaws Advisors do not exist for every DOL law or regulation.  For those that do exist, each advisor simulates the interaction you might have with an employment law expert by asking questions and providing answers based on the responses given.  To access all of the available elaws Advisors, visit the elaws website at www.dol.gov/elaws.