In the business world, details are important.
And as an employer, you carry liability if your business overlooks certain details. You must ensure you are always in compliance with federal and state employment laws. One detail of compliance that is often missed is the posting of employment law notices.
What notices are necessary?
Every employer, whether a new business owner or an established business, must make sure all essential notices are posted to inform your employees of their rights. This is an important step that employers cannot ignore.
Federal law and California law both mandate certain posters in the workplace. For example, employers must post the following notices:
- Federal minimum wage rights
- California minimum wage rights
- Industrial Welfare Commission Order(s) applicable to your business
- Equal Employment Opportunity information
- Payday Notice
- California Paid Sick Leave
- Safety and Health Protection on the Job
- Notice to Employees: Injuries Caused by Work
- Notice to Employees of Unemployment Insurance, Disability and Family Leave Benefits
- Whistleblower Protections
- Prohibition of Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment in the Workplace
- Transgender Rights in the Workplace
- Pregnancy Disability Leave Notice
- The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
- Family and Medical Leave rules and rights
- The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
- Employee Polygraph Protection
The above is not a fully comprehensive list. Also, some businesses have special posting requirements specific to their industry. It is critical for all business owners to review these requirements and make sure they have all the correct postings.
Many of the required postings can be accomplished by purchasing the large, laminated workplace postings from your vendor of choice. Keep in mind that those posters require employers to write in information specific to their business. You should also recognize that those posters do not include everything on the above list. For example, they do not include IWC Orders.
Where should notices be posted?
The poster must be displayed where employees and applicants for employment can readily observe it. This creates a challenge for employers with employees who work in the field. Employers must decide how to comply with the posting requirements for those employees. Informing employees where they can locate the information in the workplace is important. Electronic posting may also be an option.
Keep up to date with compliance issues
It always bears repeating – compliance is critical for employers. Even small business owners must post these notices.
Why is this so important? It is an easy task, especially since most notices are free for employers to download and use. However, if businesses do not have the proper postings visible in the workplace, they could face serious fines and legal penalties.
Therefore, employers must make sure they stay on top of any changes in the laws and regulations. This is especially critical if it means the content they must display in the workplace has changed.
Changes like this can happen quickly. That is why employers must stay informed, so you can protect your employees and your business.
In addition to the posting requirements, other information is required to be communicated to employees. Employee handbooks are typically the most efficient vehicle for meeting those obligations.
