Features of the U.S. Department of Labor website for monitoring employee benefits

United States Department of Labor Case Study

Describe the major features of this website and how each feature can be used to monitor employee benefits

The website of The United States Department of Labor (DOL), www.dol.com describes the features of services offered by the department as concerns labor organizations, labor laws and employment in the United States (U.S.). The website has such features as navigation links that point the browser to the various resources on the website, sample questions that have been submitted by the website's visitors, reports, news and other statistical data plus other resources like an events calendar, and a toolbox as well as contact information (DOL, 2013). The DOL website contains a lot of useful information for the employed in the country concerning benefits that they can take advantage of. Specific issues that are of concern to most visitors are highlighted. The areas given most prominence in the website are: frequently asked questions, latest news in the area of labor, the various places to look for help, and current data. There are also some sections that are formatted alphabetically and contain information on a range of topics that may be of concern to visitors. Employees, on checking the information on the website, will easily become acquainted with the various issues that affect the labor market. A person can always go through the website to be updated on the trending job-related issues and the effect these issues have on them personally. For example, a worker seeking to learn the options that are available to him in case of job-termination can go to the appropriate section of the website and they will find that information (Walsh, 2001 as Cited in Williams 2001). The website also has links to the critical information required to understand the provisions of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). These include details not only concerning wages and the correlate overtime pay, but also the manner and means of legal enforcement. The enforcement of the FSLA is done by the Wage and Hourly division of the Department. Cash bonuses are not subject to the FSLA as they arise from agreements between employee and employer. Also discussed is the unemployment insurance (UI). Unemployment insurance provides terminated workers with some benefits; this is applied in cases where workers have been terminated through no fault of their own. The worker must, however meet certain requirements before approval to get unemployment payments. In some states this includes participation in 'rehiring' and/or 'job search' programs at local unemployment offices (Williams, 2013).

The major feature of the DOL website, www.dol.com, has to be the classification of its content -- the content list. The section is thoughtfully designed with best practices in mind. I believe that a website's design is a very important thing as it affects personal 'dwell time' on the site. Another positive and helpful feature is the newsletter updates. If a worker subscribes to the newsletter, they are continuously notified when new content is available on the website. The website's design is quite appealing with several visuals as well as graphics dotting the web pages and this ensures that the readers have a very satisfying browsing experience (Calvasina & Calvasina).

Explain how employers could verify that their employee benefits comply with all federal laws by using this resource

In general, an employer chooses a benefit plan that suits his/her company's budget and desired level of remuneration for the workers. Alternatively, an employer can utilize a benefit plan that has been established by an employee's union or organization, where applicable. These plans should comply with taxation requirements as well as federal benefit plan requirements to ensure that the needs of the employee are protected. While some employers may fail to comply and abuse the rights of the employees, it is indeed their duty to ensure compliance to the regulations. They therefore have an obligation to check with the concerned government bodies to make sure that all the requirements of the federal government are met; as well they should check and comply with all state and local regulations. Government sites provide information to businesses concerning how to follow regulations (USDL, 2013).

Once employers use these resources, they will learn the regulations with which they must comply. On the website of the DOL, such information can be easily found by clicking on the 'Compliance Assistance' link or the attached resources. The link leads the reader to organizations charged with the mandate of providing, maintaining and upholding the benefits of the employees as stipulated in law. The relevant laws are clearly provided by the website (USDL, 2013).

The website, for instance, explains that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) has the responsibility of covering a majority of benefit plans, providing information access and ensuring that the people under whose management the plans fall are sufficiently competent (USDL, 2013). Another body, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), ensures the enforcement of the provisions of ERISA. This body has a number of reporting as well as disclosure procedures, and also provides the benefits claims or appeals procedures. The website provides all this information and employers are able to make use of it to verify if they comply with the regulations,

Explain how employees would use this information to ensure their benefits rights are protected

Employees can also take advantage of the information that the website provides to make sure that those they work for comply with all the regulations, and that the employers do not infringe on their rights. They can also make themselves knowledgeable of the procedures to be followed when seeking redress. Employees that are covered under group health plans are prone to inflexible plans and discrimination (USDOL, 2013).

The information on the DOL website is therefore useful as it gives directions on what is to be done to ensure that everyone is covered. It also has information on the rights of employees as well as their obligations. As per the compliance materials given, the employee is made aware of various significant things such as the provisions of ERISA, continuation coverage (COBRA) which gives flexible benefit plans, answers to the FAQs, clarification on what effects ERISA has on such arrangements as Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWA) (USDOL, 2013). Furthermore, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) gives health coverage portability and this reduces exclusion, outlaws discrimination and ensures flexibility in taking up new plans (USDOL, 2013).

As the employees familiarize themselves with the provisions of ERISA and comprehend the procedures to be taken in getting health coverage under both federal and state laws, they find it easier to make sure the benefits due to them are met. The employees also get to understand the various ways through which they can seek redress when the employer violates any of their rights. The available E-tools include information on health benefits as the various e-laws specify (USDLE, 2013). The kind of vast information given by the website will enable employees to verify that their benefits are being properly applied and that they themselves are not in any legal violation as well.

Create an outline of the website so that you could orient others to its usefulness for regulatory compliance.

Outline of the Website

1.1-1.2 The "browse by" function: By using this feature, navigation from the homepage to other pages like regulations, "compliance assistance," employment law advisers as well as health plans and benefits is made possible.

1.2 Homepage: From the homepage of the website, information on compliance can be found under various titles with links leading to the needed information.

1.3 From the EBSA page: a visitor can reach the page on "compliance assistance." (DOL, 2013). The information on compliance assistance assists employees and employers to comprehend and comply with the provisions of ERISA on employee health, retirement and other benefits.

Brief Explanation of the outline above

Navigating Through the Website

From the homepage of the website, information on compliance can be found under various titles with links leading to the needed information. Compliance information can always be found by digging through the site (and blog), browsing through the resource pages, reading through the frequently asked questions and keeping an eye on the fresh updates that continually pop up on the site. Subscribing to the email newsletter will ensure that you stay updated on the changes and posts that come up.

The "browse by" function allows the reader to discover more information on compliance and they happen to be the most resourceful information concerning compliance. By using the feature, navigation from the homepage to other pages like regulations, "compliance assistance," employment law advisers as well as health plans and benefits is made possible. The other pages on the website also do provide equally valuable information which allow a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the rights, legislation as well as other related concerns.

Through navigation from the home page, a visitor can reach the page on "compliance assistance" right from the EBSA page (DOL, 2013). The information on compliance assistance assists employees and employers to comprehend and comply with the provisions of ERISA on employee health, retirement and other benefits. Services the compliance materials provide include training, apprenticeship, benefits advice, guidance, Acts and regulations, information on coverage options, summary of key issues and wellness programs available. Also, there is legal advice given on the site to help employers and employees make decisions (USDLE, 2013). All these features and functions play their role in providing information to and guiding employers and employees as far as complying with regulations is concerned.

Use technology and information resources to research issues in total rewards.

Total rewards are services at the disposal of the employer to draw, encourage and maintain workforce. Total rewards cover everything the employee identifies to be of value resulting from the employment relationship. Issues on total rewards include;

Dramatic transformations in the working environment, including increased attention to clashes brought on by family, work and home needs.

Demographic transformations of the workforce that tested the conventional working-father, housewife model of earlier decades.

Fewer resources accessible for boosts in salary.

Astronomical increments in healthcare costs in a few nations.

Rapid decline of characterized advantage annuity arranges as a monetarily feasible retirement model.

Tremendous progresses in innovation and the rise of new business opportunities.

Geographic development of numerous manufacturing and service roles.

Growth of pay-for-performance practices unparalleled mergers and acquisitions and global competition (worldatWork, 2006).

The idea of total rewards for employees is not easily grasped from navigating the DOL website. The discussion on total rewards is only available in various materials published on the website. Also unless a user knows what to search for, they might miss this vital information.