After more than a decade in H-2B, the same costly mistakes keep appearing across case files. From starting too late and weak job descriptions to scope creep after workers arrive and over-reliance on H-2B as a sole staffing solution, these are the errors that derail seasons, trigger audits, and result in denied petitions. This final installment of the H-2B Start to Finish series covers what employers need to know before it costs them.

Once workers arrive, your H-2B obligations begin immediately — and they don't end until every worker is home. Wage compliance, the three-fourths guarantee, worksite limitations, separation notices, document retention, and return transportation are all on you. These requirements are detailed, enforced, and the source of most employer violations I see. Part 5 of the H-2B From the Start series breaks down exactly what you're on the hook for — before a problem surfaces.

The DOL certification process is the foundation of every H-2B case — and where the most preventable mistakes happen. Part 3 of the H-2B From the Start series breaks down prevailing wage determinations, the 9142B filing, SWA job orders, Notices of Deficiency, and recruitment documentation requirements. If you're a first-time filer or have struggled with timeline issues, this one is worth reading carefully.

H-2B employers are required to notify both USCIS and the Department of Labor within two working days if a worker fails to report, abandons the job, is terminated early, or finishes the job more than 30 days ahead of schedule. These notices are critical for compliance and may impact outbound travel obligations and wage guarantees. Understanding when and how to report these events helps employers stay in good standing with federal agencies.