445 Compliance Investigations

445.1 DOL On-site Visit

If a properly identified DOL Wage and Hour Inspector visits a postal facility, the following should be noted:

1. The FLSA requires that records regarding pay, hours worked, and related data be open at any time for review by DOL Wage and Hour Inspectors.
2. All site visits or inquiries by a DOL Wage and Hour Inspector must be reported immediately the district Human Resources manager.
3. The district Human Resources manager must contact the area law office when informed that a DOL Wage and Hour Inspector is conducting an audit.
4. The installation head (or designee) is expected to be cooperative. After consulting with the district Human Resources manager, he or she should answer all specific and reasonable questions related to pay practices in the facility and provide the pertinent data requested.
5. Requests for general information or data that is not available at the installation should be referred to the district Human Resources manager.

445.2 DOL Findings

Ask DOL Inspectors to provide a written report of any informal allegation of FLSA violations and investigative findings to the district Human Resources manager and the installation head (or designee).

445.3 Postal Service Actions

Upon receipt of the FLSA report:

1. The installation head should forward comments and recommendations related to the allegations and findings to the district Human Resources manager.
2. The district Human Resources manager should send copies of investigative reports and all related correspondence to Headquarters Compensation and the area law office.

In accordance with the Donovan vs. Postal Service settlement agreement, the Postal Service will be afforded the opportunity to rectify an FLSA violation prior to the filing of any complaint or other formal enforcement action by DOL.

Note: The installation head does not have the authority and cannot agree to any proposed remedial measure prior to consulting with the district Human Resources manager, Headquarters Compensation, and the Law Department.