Risk Management
RISK MANAGEMENT
Employment practices liability, workplace safety, and HR-related legal exposure — proactively managed so you can focus on running your business.
Every business with employees carries HR-related risk. Employment discrimination claims, wage-and-hour lawsuits, OSHA violations, and workplace injury litigation can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and consume months of leadership attention. KeyHR's risk management services are designed to identify, reduce, and manage that exposure before it becomes a crisis.
Employment Practices Liability
Employment practices liability (EPL) claims — discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation — are among the most expensive legal risks facing small businesses. The average EPL claim costs over $160,000 to defend and resolve, even when the employer ultimately prevails.
KeyHR's risk management approach addresses EPL exposure through prevention: clear anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, manager training, documented progressive discipline procedures, and consistent application of employment policies. When issues do arise, our HR specialists provide guidance on investigation procedures and documentation that protects your legal position.
Workplace Safety and OSHA Compliance
OSHA penalties for serious violations can reach $15,625 per violation, with willful violations up to $156,259. Beyond the financial exposure, workplace injuries damage morale, increase workers' comp costs, and can trigger media attention that harms your reputation.
KeyHR's safety specialists conduct workplace assessments, develop written safety programs, provide OSHA compliance training, and assist with OSHA 300 log maintenance. For high-hazard industries, we develop industry-specific safety programs that address the most common injury causes.
Wage and Hour Compliance
Wage-and-hour violations under the FLSA are the most frequently litigated employment law claims in the United States. Class action wage-and-hour lawsuits can expose businesses to years of back pay liability across entire employee populations.
KeyHR's wage-and-hour compliance services include exempt/non-exempt classification analysis, overtime calculation review, tip credit compliance for hospitality clients, and regular audits of pay practices to identify potential exposure before it becomes litigation.
HR Audit and Risk Assessment
New KeyHR clients receive a comprehensive HR audit that identifies compliance gaps, policy deficiencies, and risk exposures across all areas of employment law. The audit covers:
- I-9 and employment eligibility verification
- Payroll tax compliance and classification
- Employee handbook and policy review
- Job description and classification analysis
- Benefits compliance (ACA, ERISA, COBRA)
- Workplace safety program review
- State-specific compliance gaps
The audit results in a prioritized action plan that KeyHR implements on your behalf — closing compliance gaps before they become violations.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Employment practices liability prevention and guidance
- Workplace safety assessments and OSHA compliance programs
- Wage-and-hour compliance analysis and audit
- Comprehensive HR audit for new clients
- Progressive discipline documentation and procedures
- Manager training on harassment prevention and ADA compliance
- Termination guidance and documentation support
- Unemployment insurance claims management and hearing representation
- OSHA 300 log maintenance and reporting
- Incident investigation and root cause analysis
- Employment law update monitoring in all 50 states
- HR consultation hotline for day-to-day employment questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does KeyHR provide employment practices liability insurance?
KeyHR's risk management services are focused on prevention and compliance guidance. We can refer clients to EPL insurance carriers and help them understand their coverage needs, but EPL insurance is purchased separately from PEO services.
What kind of HR support is available day-to-day?
KeyHR clients have access to a dedicated HR specialist who can be reached by phone or email during business hours for guidance on hiring, discipline, termination, accommodation requests, and other day-to-day employment questions.
How does KeyHR handle unemployment insurance claims?
KeyHR manages unemployment insurance claims on behalf of clients, including responding to agency notices, gathering documentation, and representing clients at unemployment hearings when appropriate.
Can KeyHR help with a workplace investigation?
Yes. KeyHR's HR specialists can guide you through internal workplace investigation procedures, including documentation, witness interviews, and remediation steps. For complex situations, we can refer you to employment law counsel.
PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS FROM HR RISK
Get a free HR risk assessment and see where your business is exposed — before it becomes a problem.