Legal notices that must be posted in the workplace

[Author’s note: This page is under construction.]

The odds are that various federal- and state laws require you to post a variety of different notices in your work­place. Some of these laws have teeth, while others provide mainly for a slap on the wrist.

All U.S. states

The U.S. Department of Labor has a useful list of required workplace postings, including, for example, postings about the following:

• Minimum wage
• Family medical leave
• OSHA notices; occupational safety and health protection
• Equal employment opportunity
• Disabled employees
• Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
• Government contractors and subcontractors
• Government-financed construction projects
• Lie detector tests (polygraph examinations)

A new National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule will require most employers to post notices reminding employees that they have the right to organize into unions and to file complaints against unfair labor practices by their employers. For more information and a FAQ list, see this Ogletree Deakins posting. [ADDED 2011-10-22]

California

In addition to federally-required posters, see also the “Workplace postings” Web page of the California Department of Industrial Relations for a list of required posters, including for example postings about the following:

• California’s own minimum-wage law
• Payday notice
• Occupational safety and health
• Emergency responder phone numbers
• Access to medical and exposure records
• Worker’s compensation benefits
• Whistleblower protections
• Discrimination prohibition
• California’s own family medical leave and pregnancy disability laws
• Voting – time off

Texas

In addition to federally-required posters, see also the Texas Workforce Commission list of required posters, including for example postings about the following:

• Texas Payday Law
• Worker’s compensation ombudsman program
• Migrant and seasonal agricultural workers
• Hazardous materials