Department of Labor Launches Self-Audit Programs for Employers, Unions, and Benefit Plan Administrators 

The U.S. Department of Labor has launched self-audit programs at six federal agencies that it says are designed to encourage employers, unions, and benefit plan administrators to voluntarily assess their compliance with federal labor laws, enhance occupational health, safety and employment right protections, and reduce the likelihood of legal challenges. Self-audits can be used to help correct deficiencies without undergoing official investigations that could result in fines for non-compliance or lawsuits. 

According a July 24, 2025, Labor Department announcement: 

• The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) will expand its Voluntary Protection Programs to help employers lower work-related injury rates by allowing them to undergo regular self-evaluations and avoid routine inspections. OSHA plans to increase efforts to support voluntary compliance through its On-Site Consultation Program, which offers no-cost, confidential safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses.  
• The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) will support self-audits by referring mine operators its Compliance Assistance in Safety and Health program and an information hub on the MSHA.gov website.  

Other affected agencies are the: 

• Employee Benefits Security Administration: It is offering two self-correction programs for fiduciaries and benefits plan administrators: the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program and the Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program.  
• Office of Labor-Management Standards: This agency administers the Voluntary Compliance Partnership program to help unions assess their compliance with the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The program focuses on key areas such as reporting, disclosure requirements, and financial integrity. 
• Veterans’ Employment and Training Service: A new program, SALUTE: Support and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment, has been introduced to help employers review their policies and practices under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The program aims to foster good-faith compliance and protection of service members’ employment rights. 
• Wage and Hour Division: This division is restarting its Payroll Audit Independent Determination program to enable employers to self-identify and resolve minimum wage, overtime, and leave violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act.