HR Compliance: Objectives and Risks

Human Resource Management and Talent Development October 25, 2025
Enquire About This Course

Introduction

**HR Compliance** is the indispensable safeguard that protects an organization from significant legal, financial, and reputational risk. This essential course provides **HR** and managerial leaders with a comprehensive understanding of the major employment laws, regulations, and reporting requirements that govern the entire employee lifecycle. Participants will master the compliance objectives for key areas—such as hiring, wage and hour, leave administration, and termination—and learn how to proactively identify and mitigate high-risk practices. The program emphasizes translating complex legal requirements into clear, practical, and compliant day-to-day **HR** policies and processes.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify and interpret the major federal and state employment laws (**FLSA, FMLA, EEO, ADA, OSHA**) and their impact on **HR** practices.
  • Master the compliance requirements for the full talent acquisition process, including job descriptions, interviewing, and record-keeping.
  • Ensure strict compliance with wage and hour laws (**FLSA**): proper classification, overtime, and accurate pay practices.
  • Develop and administer legally compliant policies for employee leave of absence (**FMLA, ADA**), accommodations, and safety (**OSHA**).
  • Understand the critical compliance steps and documentation required for fair, defensible disciplinary action and involuntary termination.
  • Develop a robust internal audit system to proactively monitor **HR** policies and processes for compliance risks.
  • Manage the administration and compliance for employee benefits (e.g., **COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA**).
  • Translate complex legal requirements into clear, practical, and easily applied manager and employee guidelines.

Target Audience

  • HR Leaders and Directors responsible for policy and risk management
  • HR Business Partners and Generalists managing day-to-day operations
  • All People Managers and Supervisors responsible for implementing **HR** policies
  • Compliance Officers and Internal Auditors focused on labor laws
  • Payroll and Benefits Administrators requiring detailed legal knowledge

Methodology

  • Case studies analyzing complex leave of absence scenarios (**FMLA/ADA** overlap) and developing compliant action plans.
  • Group exercises auditing a set of job descriptions for **FLSA** classification and potential misclassification risks.
  • Workshops on developing a checklist for a legally defensible involuntary termination process.
  • Individual exercises rewriting non-compliant policy language to meet legal standards.
  • Discussions on the ethical and legal challenges of using social media and technology in recruitment and monitoring.

Personal Impact

  • Mastery of major federal and state employment laws and their practical application to **HR** policy.
  • The ability to proactively identify and mitigate high-risk **HR** compliance practices.
  • Increased personal confidence in managing complex compliance issues (e.g., **FMLA/ADA**).
  • Enhanced skill in developing clear, legally defensible **HR** policies and manager guidelines.
  • A proactive mindset focused on risk mitigation and internal audit of **HR** functions.
  • The ability to serve as a reliable, compliance-focused resource to management.

Organizational Impact

  • Significant reduction in legal and financial risk from lawsuits, fines, and penalties related to employment law.
  • Improved consistency and fairness in the application of **HR** policies across the organization.
  • Stronger defense against claims of discrimination, wrongful discharge, and wage and hour violations.
  • Enhanced organizational reputation and a culture of ethical, compliant behavior.
  • Streamlined administrative processes that are designed for compliance and audit readiness.
  • Better employee relations through clear, legally sound, and fairly administered policies.

Course Outline

Unit 1: The Foundation of Employment Law and Risk Management

Section 1: Legal Landscape
  • The strategic objective of **HR** Compliance: risk mitigation, ethical practice, and organizational stability
  • Overview of key anti-discrimination laws (**Title VII, ADEA, ADA**) and the concept of equal employment opportunity (**EEO**)
  • Understanding legal liability and the difference between disparate treatment and disparate impact
  • Developing a risk management mindset: proactive identification of high-risk **HR** practices

Unit 2: Compliance in the Talent Acquisition and Lifecycle

Section 1: Hiring to Separation
  • Compliance requirements for job postings, interviewing, and legally defensible selection criteria
  • Mastering the **Form I-9** verification process and compliance with immigration law
  • The legally compliant process for performance management, disciplinary action, and documentation
  • Best practices for conducting involuntary terminations fairly and reducing wrongful discharge claims

Unit 3: Wage, Hour, and Benefits Compliance

Section 1: Pay and Time
  • Mastering the **FLSA**: proper employee classification (exempt/non-exempt) and accurate overtime calculation
  • Compliance requirements for meal and rest breaks, working time, and record-keeping
  • Benefits compliance: an overview of **ERISA, COBRA, and HIPAA** requirements for health and retirement plans
  • Managing pay equity legislation and addressing wage disparities compliantly

Unit 4: Leave, Safety, and Workplace Administration

Section 1: Absence and Accommodation
  • Mastering the administration of the **Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)** and state/local paid leave laws
  • Compliance with the **Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)**: the interactive process and reasonable accommodations
  • Overview of **OSHA** and workplace safety requirements, reporting, and record-keeping
  • Developing compliant policies on workplace harassment, discrimination, and investigation procedures

Unit 5: Auditing, Policy, and Continuous Compliance

Section 1: Proactive Management
  • Developing a systematic internal **HR** compliance audit plan and checklist for high-risk areas
  • Strategies for translating complex legal requirements into clear, actionable, and compliant **HR** policy language
  • Training managers and employees on compliance requirements and their accountability
  • Action Planning: establishing a continuous legal monitoring and policy update process

Ready to Learn More?

Have questions about this course? Get in touch with our training consultants.

Submit Your Enquiry