Labor Department Scheduled Employer Webinars

The EBSA has organized two upcoming sessions to assist employers with compliance and fiduciary requirements.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Unions

Labor Department Scheduled Employer Webinars

Live Poll

Should government agencies prioritize voluntary compliance programs over punitive regulatory enforcement?

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration is hosting two webinars this October for employers, plan sponsors, and fiduciaries. These sessions are designed to clarify compliance obligations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Why it matters

These webinars aim to help employers navigate complex regulatory environments and understand their specific responsibilities as plan fiduciaries. By providing guidance on investigations and correction programs, the agency seeks to reduce unintentional compliance errors.

The agency has scheduled two webinars to address compliance, following the issuance of Field Assistance Bulletin 2026-01 in April. The first session takes place on October 20 at 2 p.m. ET, while the second occurs on October 22 at 11 a.m. ET.

The players

Employee Benefits Security Administration

This agency within the Department of Labor is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Daniel Aronowitz

He serves as the Assistant Secretary of Labor and provides leadership for the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

The details

The Benefits Brief session provides insight into how the EBSA conducts investigations and identifies which records are subject to review. Additionally, the Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program webinar outlines the formal steps necessary for correcting identified fiduciary breaches.

Timeline

  1. In April 2026, the EBSA issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2026-01.

  2. The Benefits Brief webinar occurs on October 20, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET.

  3. The Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program webinar occurs on October 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET.

Political Context

Opponents of federal regulatory expansion often argue that such webinars represent an overreach into private business administration and complicate the management of employee plans. Advocacy groups for small businesses frequently contend that the complexity of compliance requirements creates an undue burden regardless of agency guidance.

Employers and plan sponsors can use these sessions to identify potential compliance gaps and avoid costly investigations or legal penalties. By attending, participants clarify their procedural obligations under federal law, potentially reducing the risk of accidental fiduciary breaches.

The takeaway

These webinars provide a direct channel for employers to align their record-keeping with current federal enforcement standards. Proactive engagement with these programs is a practical way for fiduciaries to safeguard their organizations against future regulatory scrutiny.

Further reading

For more information on regulatory developments affecting workplaces, visit the Unions section.

Live Poll

Should government agencies prioritize voluntary compliance programs over punitive regulatory enforcement?