The consequences of non-compliance can be severe and include:

Financial penalties:

  • OSHA violations: up to $16,550 per violation (up to $165,514 for willful or repeated violations)
  • HIPAA violations: $145 to $2,190,294 per violation depending on culpability, with annual maximums of up to $2,190,294 (adjusted for inflation)
  • 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.