The consequences of non-compliance can be severe and include:
Financial penalties:
- OSHA violations: $15,625 per violation (up to $156,259 for willful violations)
- HIPAA violations: $100 to $50,000+ per violation, with annual maximums of $1.5 million
- State harassment law violations: Varies, but can reach hundreds of thousands in settlements
Operational impacts:
- Legal fees and settlement costs
- Increased insurance premiums
- Work stoppages during investigations
- Damage to reputation and employer brand
- Difficulty recruiting and retaining talent
Personal liability:
- Individual managers can face criminal charges
- Board members may face shareholder lawsuits
- Professional license revocation in regulated industries
Investing in quality compliance training is significantly less expensive than dealing with violations.
