When was the last time you checked your workplace poster requirements? If it’s been a while, now’s the time to ensure that you’re in compliance for 2024.
After all, Federal safety poster requirements are updated periodically; in fact, several were updated in 2023. Failure to display the right workplace posters in the right manner can trigger fines and penalties—and sends a poor message to your workforce, too.
But don’t worry, busy HR pro: we got you. Just read our quick guide—and in one fell swoop, you can download and print whatever you need to maintain compliance in 2024.
Best Practices for Displaying Workplace Posters
When it comes to meeting workplace poster requirements, keep this in mind?
- Our focus is on the six core Federal workplace posters that most employers are required to display. But depending on your business, you may be required to post additional Federal and state-level posters, too.
- Location matters! Poster must be displayed prominently, in clear view of employees and, ideally, job applicants. If you have remote workers, make digital versions available, too.
- While English is the default for U.S. workplace posters, most posters are also available in other languages. If you have employees who primarily speak these languages, the Department of Labor (DOL) encourages (and sometimes requires) you to display them, too.
- It’s important to display the current version of each poster, so check those dates!
1. FLSA/Minimum Wage Poster: “Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act”
Download the FLSA/Minimum Wage Poster here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/flsa
Assuming your employees are covered under the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA), you must display this workplace poster, which states the key wage-and-hour laws, including minimum wage and overtime.
- You can download the Minimum Wage poster in PDF format here, choosing black-and-white or color PDFs in 8.5″ x 11″ or 11″ X 17″ formats.
- For other language versions, click here.
- Certain industries have their own FLSA posters; find them here.
- The current Minimum Wage poster was published in April 2023. If you’re using an older version, replace it now.
- For more information, click here.
2. OSHA Poster: “Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law”
Download the OSHA Poster here: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/osha3165-8514.pdf
As you know, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards. Most private employers are subject to OSHA, including those in white-collar industries—and all are required to display this workplace safety poster.
- You can download the OSHA poster in PDF format here. Posters must be at least 8.5″ x 14″ and feature 10-point type.
- For other language versions, click here.
- You can also order pre-printed OSHA copies (in 14 languages) here.
- If you’re located in a state with an OSHA-approved state plan, find your state-specific OSHA poster here.
- The current OSHA poster was published in 2019, but earlier versions are acceptable.
- For more information, click here.
3. FMLA Poster: “Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act”
Download the FMLA Poster here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles many workers to job-protected, unpaid leave for reasons such as health conditions and childbirth. If your employees are among them, you’re required to display this poster.
- You can download the FMLA poster in PDF format here. While the DOL does not specify a size requirement, it does require that the text is “easily read” and “fully legible.”
- If a large number of employees speak/read a language other than English, a translated version of the poster must be displayed. For the Spanish version, click here. (Other language versions will become available at a later date.)
- The current FMLA poster was published in April 2023, but the April 2016 and February 2013 versions remain acceptable.
- For more information, click here.
4. EEO Poster: “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal”
Download the EEO Poster here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights.pdf
Generally, employers with 15 or more employees are subject to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and are required to display this poster, which defines employment discrimination, specifies protected classes of employees and explains how to file charges. It replaces an earlier “EEO Is the Law” poster.
- You can download the EEO poster in PDF format here. There is no size requirement. This poster contains a second page for Federal contractors.
- For the optional Spanish version, click here. Other language versions will become available at a later date.
- The current EEO poster was published in June 2023, when it was updated to include information about the recently-enacted Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. While employers are only required to update their posters within a “reasonable amount of time,” we recommend doing so now, if you haven’t already.
- For more information, click here.
5. EPPA Poster: “Employee Rights: Employee Polygraph Protection Act”
Download the EPPA Poster here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf
The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) prohibits most private employers from asking employees and applicants to take a lie detector test, and employers subject to the EPPA are required to display this poster.
- You can download the EPPA poster in PDF format here.
- For the optional Spanish version, click here.
- The most recent EPPA poster we found is dated February 2022.
- According to the DOL, the PDF consists of two printed pages that “must be taped or pasted together to form an 11″ x 17″ poster. For more information, click here.
6. USERRA Poster: “Your Rights Under USERRA”
Download the USERRA Poster here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/USERRA-Poster.pdf
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects the reemployment rights of military service members—including members of the reserves and National Guard—when returning from a period of service.
Employers are required to provide those covered by USERRA with a notice of these rights, either by displaying it in the workplace, or handing, mailing, or emailing it to affected individuals directly.
- You can download the EPPA poster in PDF format here. There is no size requirement.
- The most recent USERRA poster we found is dated May 2022.
- For more information, click here.
Workplace Posters: A Few Last Thoughts
While these six core posters make up the bulk of many employers’ Federal safety poster requirements, you may have some additional obligations. Specifically:
- Some industries (such as agriculture) are required to post additional notices—as are Federal contractors. You can find the DOL’s list here.
- If you use E-Verify to supplement the traditional Form I-9, you’re subject to additional posting requirements, as specified on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
- It’s likely that your state has separate posting requirements, which you can track down on your state’s labor department website.
Finally, you have options. For example, trusted HR resources like the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) offer a convenient, compliant selection of Federal and state-specific posters. There’s more than one way to meet your workplace poster requirements.
And if you would like more assistance with labor compliance, learn about Namely’s compliance solution—a powerful combination of automated software safeguards and access to expert HR compliance advisors.