655.1000—Enforcement authority of Administrator, Wage and Hour Division.
(a)
The Administrator shall perform all the Secretary's investigative and enforcement functions under section 221 of the Act and subparts J and K of this part.
(b)
The Administrator shall conduct such investigations as may be appropriate and, in connection therewith, enter and inspect such places and such records (and make transcriptions or copies thereof), question such persons and gather such information as deemed necessary to determine compliance with section 221(a) of the Act and subparts J and K of this part.
(c)
An employer being investigated pursuant to this subpart shall have the burden of proof as to compliance with section 221(a) of the Act and the validity of its attestation, and in this regard shall make available to the Administrator such records, information, persons, and places as the Administrator deems appropriate to copy, transcribe, question, or inspect. No employer subject to the provisions of section 221 of the Act and subparts J and K of this part shall interfere with any official of the Department of Labor performing an investigation, inspection or law enforcement function pursuant to section 221 of the Act or subpart J or K of this part. Any such interference shall be a violation of the attestation and subparts J and K of this part, and the Administrator may take such further actions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
Code of Federal Regulations
(d)
An employer subject to subparts J and K of this part shall at all times cooperate in administrative and enforcement proceedings. No employer shall intimidate, threaten, restrain, coerce, blacklist, discharge, or in any manner discriminate against any person because such person has:
(1)
Filed a complaint or appeal under or related to section 221 of the Act or subparts J or K of this part;
(2)
Testified or is about to testify in any proceeding under or related to section 221 of the Act or subpart J or K of this part;
(3)
Exercised or asserted on behalf of himself or herself or others any right or protection afforded by section 221 of the Act or subpart J or K of this part.
(4)
Consulted with an employee of a legal assistance program or an attorney on matters related to section 221 of the Act or to subpart J or K of this part or any other DOL regulation promulgated pursuant to section 221 of the Act. In the event of any intimidation or restraint as described in this section, the conduct shall be a violation of the attestation and these regulations, and the Administrator may take such further actions as the Administrator considers appropriate.
(e)
The Administrator shall, to the extent possible under existing law, protect the confidentiality of any person, including any complainant, who provides information to the Department in confidence during the course of an investigation or otherwise under subpart J or K of this part.