The United States Department of Labor (DOL) may legally require your business to display certain posters outlining your employees’ rights.
DOL posting requirements vary by statute — that is, not all employers are covered by each of the Department’s statutes and thus may not be required to post a specific notice. For example, some small businesses may not be covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act and thus would not be subject to the Act’s posting requirements. For those employers who are covered, the DOL requires that the notice be posted in a conspicuous place or in a frequently visited area of their office where all employees can view it.
Let’s review some of the most common federally mandated notices included in the DOL’s labor law posting requirements.
Federal Labor Law Poster Requirements
Here’s what’s required
The U.S. Department of Labor requires employers to display six DOL posters. These visual tools ensure your staff know their rights and responsibilities under the law. From workplace discrimination to job safety, each poster covers a variety of topics with essential information. Each notice must be displayed so your employees can see and review it.
When you order your Federal Labor Law Poster from Poster Compliance Center, you’ll get an all-in-one poster that includes all of the DOL’s federally mandated notices, encompassing the following.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. The Department of Labor’s FLSA poster addresses minimum wage, overtime pay, child labor, tip credit and nursing mothers. This Department of Labor poster further addresses details about the enforcement of the FLSA minimum wage poster.
Who Must Post
Every private, federal, state and local government employer employing any employee is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) informs employees of their rights in their place of employment. Some states operate their own state OSHA plans in accordance with the federal OSH Act. All states that operate under federal OSHA must hang the federal OSHA Job Safety and Health poster in a place where it is clearly visible to all employees.
Who Must Post
Private employers engaged in a business affecting commerce. It does not apply to federal, state or political subdivisions of states.
The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Act of 1972 further promoted equal employment opportunities for workers who were citizens of the United States. Under U.S. law, employers are required to post the Equal Employment Opportunity Act poster created by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The EEO poster addresses federal laws regarding job discrimination, which may be inclusive of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, equal pay, disability or genetic information. This poster also includes information about how employees or job applicants can take action if they think they were discriminated against by a company.
Who Must Post
Entities holding federal contracts or subcontracts or federally assisted construction contracts of more than $10,000; financial institutions that are issuing and paying agents for U.S. savings bonds and savings notes; depositories of federal funds or entities having government bills of lading.
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) is a federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed service members and their civilian employers. This act protects the employment, benefits and rights of employees in the uniformed services.
Employers with businesses in the United States must display the Your Rights Under USERRA notice or distribute it to their employees. Distribution methods may include written notification such as postal mail, email or handing out the notice. Whatever distribution method is used needs to be fully informative.
Who Must Post
The full text of the notice must be provided by each employer to persons entitled to rights and benefits under USERRA.
The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) addresses policy, exemptions, examinee rights and enforcement for polygraph tests on employees and job applicants of private companies. The EPPA poster must be posted in an employer’s place of business where employees and job applicants are able to see it.
Who Must Post
Any employer engaged in or affecting commerce or in the production of goods for commerce. It does not apply to federal, state and local governments or to circumstances covered by the national defense and security exemption.
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) addresses employee rights under the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor. The FMLA federal Department of Labor poster addresses leave entitlements, benefits and protections, eligibility requirements, requesting leave, employer responsibilities and policy enforcement.
Who Must Post
Public agencies (including state, local and federal employers), public and private elementary and secondary schools, as well as private sector employers who employ 50 or more employees in 20 or more workweeks and who are engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce, including joint employers and successors of covered employers.
