GILBERT — The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is alerting members to the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) new Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program, which can help employers avoid potential overtime and minimum wage violations.

The pilot program, according to the chamber, is designed to help employers identify and correct any non-complaint practices and ensure employees receive 100 percent of back wages due. 

"At times, employers may be the first to uncover violations of overtime or minimum wage laws," the chamber said in a statement. "Many employers prefer to correct their mistakes and voluntarily pay their employees the wages they are owed."

The PAID program encourages employers to perform audits and to share and work with the DOL's Wage and Hourly Division (WHD) to correct any minimum wage violations. 

The DOL will implement the PAID program nationwide over a period of six months and then will make a decision on the program's future. 

For information on the PAID program, employers can visit www.dol.gov/whd/paid/