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

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

Understanding Benefits Regulations and Compliance

It is quite a challenge to keep abreast of the ever-changing laws and regulations that govern the benefits of employees especially under the current complex environment (Corporate Synergies, 2013). It is therefore needful that the support of experts be sought so that the risk of liability arising form non-compliance is lowered (Corporate Synergies, 2013). The support given by the DOL website will help industry players avoid such faults. It is frequently updated and can serve as the primary source of such information. By browsing through the site and following the links to the resources, employers can have a good understanding of what is required of them (Corporate Synergies, 2013).

The information on the website is monitored continuously and covers such areas as regulations, rules, guidance and laws. This information can be accessed from the homepage in various media including pictures, videos, web-page links, picture highlights and pdf files. Some of the information on the site include ERISA provisions, Affordable Care Act, Section 105 medical expense reimbursement programs, COBRA, HIPAA, USERPA and form 5500 annual reporting requirements (DOL, 2013). If an organization trains its staff well on the workings of the website, they can be able to monitor it and ensure that the organization misses nothing that may put its position as regards compliance…