Date of Issue:  3/19/2004
	
Office of Issue:  AWI-04-03
	
Reference:  Office of Compliance Assistance Policy Fact Sheet

STATE OF FLORIDA
AGENCY FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION

AWI Communiqué

DATE:		March 19, 2004

TO:		Regional Workforce Boards Executive Directors 

FROM:	Lois A. Scott, Program Manager, One Stop Program Support

SUBJECT: 	Compliance Assistance Initiative And Compliance Assistance Internet
Tools

PURPOSE: 
To announce the Compliance Assistance Initiative and provide America's employers and employees with free and easy-to-access tools designed to help them comply with federal employment laws.

Background:
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) launched the Compliance Assistance Initiative to help America’s employers and employees better understand how to comply with the federal employment laws and regulations DOL administers.  As part of the Initiative, Secretary Chao created the Office of Compliance Assistance Policy (OCA) and named Barbara Bingham as its director.  The office raises awareness of the laws and regulations DOL enforces and where people can go for help in complying with them. 

The initiative aims to facilitate voluntary compliance and reduce the number of violations, thereby allowing DOL to focus its enforcement resources on the relatively small percentage of employers who ignore their responsibilities.  OCA promotes the availability of DOL’s easy-to-use tools, including the elaws Advisors, DOL’s Toll-Free Help Line, the Employment Law Guide, and the DOL Web site.

ACTION REQUIRED:
Disseminate the Internet sites to appropriate workforce staff.

LINK: 
Compliance Assistance Web Site

An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.