Wage and Hour Audit

Definition

A compliance review of payroll practices to ensure adherence to minimum wage and overtime laws—the forensic accounting that catches companies cutting corners.

Example Usage

The wage and hour audit discovered that employees had been working unpaid overtime for two years.

Origin

Formalized practice following Fair Labor Standards Act enforcement in 1970s

Fun Fact

The Department of Labor recovered $1.4 billion in back wages in 2022 through wage and hour audits

Source: Labor Compliance Standards

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