Labor Law Poster

What Is a Labor Law Poster?

A labor law poster is a mandatory workplace notice that informs employees of their rights under federal, state, and local employment laws. California employers must display these posters in a conspicuous location where all employees can easily see them, such as break rooms, common areas, or near time clocks.

Failure to post required notices can result in fines, penalties, and increased liability in employment disputes. California has some of the most extensive posting requirements in the nation, reflecting the state's comprehensive worker protections.

California Posting Requirements

California employers must display both federal and state-mandated posters. The requirements vary based on employer size, industry, and location.

Required Federal Posters

All California employers must display these federal notices:

Poster	Applies To	Agency
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)	All employers	Department of Labor
OSHA Safety and Health	All employers	OSHA
Employee Polygraph Protection Act	All employers	Department of Labor
Uniformed Services Employment (USERRA)	All employers	Department of Labor
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)	Employers with 15+ employees	EEOC
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)	Employers with 50+ employees	Department of Labor
E-Verify Participation	E-Verify employers	DHS/USCIS

Required California State Posters

Poster	Applies To	Key Information
California Minimum Wage	All employers	Current minimum wage rates
Payday Notice	All employers	Regular paydays and pay procedures
Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC) Wage Order	Industry-specific	Hours, overtime, meal breaks, rest breaks
Safety and Health Protection	All employers	Cal/OSHA requirements
Workers' Compensation	All employers	Injury reporting procedures
Discrimination and Harassment	Employers with 5+ employees	Protected classes and complaint procedures
California Family Rights Act	Employers with 5+ employees	Family and medical leave rights
Paid Sick Leave	All employers	Accrual and usage rights
Whistleblower Protections	All employers	Retaliation prohibited
Transgender Rights	All employers	Workplace protections
Victims of Domestic Violence	All employers	Leave and accommodation rights
Emergency Information	All employers	Emergency procedures
Access to Medical and Exposure Records	Applicable industries	OSHA 3204
Unemployment Insurance	All employers	UI benefits information
Disability Insurance	All employers	SDI and PFL information

Local Posting Requirements

Many California cities and counties have additional posting requirements:

Cities with Local Posting Requirements

Location	Additional Posters
San Francisco	Fair Chance Ordinance, Health Care Security, Paid Parental Leave, Lactation Accommodation
Los Angeles	Fair Chance Initiative, Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave, Retail Fair Workweek
Oakland	Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave
San Jose	Minimum Wage, Opportunity to Work
Berkeley	Minimum Wage
Santa Monica	Minimum Wage
Emeryville	Fair Workweek, Minimum Wage

Always verify current requirements with local agencies, as these requirements change frequently.

Poster Display Requirements

California law specifies how and where posters must be displayed:

Location Requirements

• Conspicuous placement: Where employees can easily read them during the workday
• Common areas: Break rooms, cafeterias, time clock areas, or main hallways
• Multiple locations: If employees work in multiple areas, post in each location
• Accessible: At eye level and in good lighting
• Maintained: Keep posters clean, current, and legible

Language Requirements

California requires certain posters in languages spoken by at least 10% of employees:

Poster Type	Language Requirements
Discrimination/Harassment	Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog
Paid Sick Leave	Spanish
Minimum Wage	Spanish
IWC Wage Orders	Spanish

If you have non-English speaking employees, provide translations of key notices in their primary languages.

Remote and Multi-Location Considerations

Remote Employees

For employees who work remotely or from home:

• Electronic posting is acceptable for some notices
• Provide access through company intranet or email
• Include posters in onboarding materials
• Some posters still require physical display at any company location

Multiple Worksites

Employers with multiple locations must:

• Post required notices at each worksite
• Ensure posters reflect local requirements for each location
• Maintain current local minimum wage notices
• Update all locations when laws change

Industry-Specific Posters

Certain industries have additional posting requirements:

Healthcare Employers

• Hospital Fair Pricing Policies
• Patient Rights
• Emergency Care Information
• Hand Hygiene Requirements

Restaurant and Hospitality

• Handwashing Requirements
• Food Handler Certifications
• Choking Emergency Procedures
• Alcohol Service Regulations

Construction

• Heat Illness Prevention
• Silica Exposure Limits
• Fall Protection Requirements
• Crane Safety Notices

Agriculture

• Field Sanitation Standards
• Heat Illness Prevention
• Pesticide Safety Information
• Emergency Medical Services

Obtaining Labor Law Posters

Free Sources

California provides many required posters at no cost:

• California DIR Website: dir.ca.gov provides free downloadable posters
• Federal DOL Website: dol.gov offers free federal posters
• Local Government Websites: City and county agencies provide local notices

Commercial Poster Services

Many employers use commercial services for convenience:

• All-in-one posters: Combine multiple notices on a single poster
• Update services: Automatic replacements when laws change
• Compliance monitoring: Alerts for new requirements
• Laminated options: More durable for long-term display

When using commercial posters, verify they include all required notices and are current.

Poster Update Requirements

California's employment laws change frequently, requiring regular poster updates:

Common Update Triggers

Trigger	Action Required
Minimum wage increase	Update wage poster immediately
New employment law	Post within effective date
Local ordinance change	Update before enforcement begins
Poster content revision	Replace outdated versions

Update Schedule

Employers should review poster compliance:

• January 1: Annual review for new state law changes
• July 1: Mid-year review for local minimum wage increases
• Quarterly: Check for any interim changes or new requirements
• As announced: Immediate updates for significant law changes

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to post required notices can result in significant penalties:

Civil Penalties

Violation	Penalty Range
Missing required poster	$100 - $1,000 per violation
Outdated minimum wage poster	$100 per employee affected
Missing IWC Wage Order	$100 per pay period
Cal/OSHA poster violations	$7,000+ per violation

Other Consequences

• Statute of limitations: May be extended for certain claims when notices weren't posted
• Increased liability: Employees can argue they weren't informed of rights
• Audit findings: Missing posters often trigger deeper compliance reviews
• Union organizing: Violations may support unfair labor practice claims

Poster Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist for your workplace audit:

Quarterly Review

1. All required federal posters displayed
2. All required California state posters displayed
3. Local posting requirements met for each location
4. Industry-specific posters in place
5. Posters in required languages
6. Posters visible and legible
7. Current versions displayed (check effective dates)
8. Remote employees have electronic access

Annual Review

1. Review all posting requirements for changes
2. Update minimum wage posters for January 1 increases
3. Verify local minimum wage compliance
4. Check for new posting requirements
5. Replace worn or damaged posters
6. Document compliance efforts

Best Practices

Compliance Strategies

1. Centralize responsibility: Assign poster compliance to a specific person
2. Create a poster map: Document which posters go where
3. Set calendar reminders: Schedule regular compliance reviews
4. Keep receipts: Document poster purchases and updates
5. Photograph displays: Maintain evidence of compliance
6. Train managers: Ensure all locations understand requirements

Technology Integration

Modern HR and scheduling systems can help with poster compliance by:

• Tracking state and local requirements for all work locations
• Alerting administrators to upcoming changes
• Providing electronic access for remote workers
• Documenting compliance efforts
• Integrating with employee handbooks and onboarding

Maintaining current labor law posters is a foundational element of wage-and-hour compliance that demonstrates good faith efforts to inform employees of their rights.