The federal minimum wage hasn't increased in more than a decade, but employers are still required to keep the current rate posted where employees can see it. That obligation comes from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Enacted in 1938 and amended numerous times since, the FLSA sets federal standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, equal pay, child labor and pay-related recordkeeping. These standards apply to workers in the private sector and in federal, state and local governments, and are administered and enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor (DOL).
The DOL requires every employer to display an official FLSA posting in the workplace, one of six mandatory federal postings. Though commonly called the "Federal Minimum Wage Poster," it covers many more FLSA-related topics, including:
Employers with at least one employee are required to display this poster. Place it in a conspicuous location accessible to all staff, such as a break room, main entrance or time clock area. Larger businesses should post in several locations to ensure easy access for all employees.
The Federal Minimum Wage Poster is only the starting point. Because the federal minimum wage hasn't changed since 2009, many states have set higher rates, and some counties and cities have gone higher still. Each of these laws carries its own posting requirement on top of the federal poster.
You must display every applicable posting — federal, state and local — at each business location, even when they conflict. And where rates differ, you must pay your workers the highest one. Failure to display the current federal, state and local postings can result in penalties, fines and lawsuits.
Know Your Rates!
The Minimum Wage Monitor is a valuable resource for checking minimum wage rates across the U.S. The map shows current rates, plus a four-year history of changes across all states, counties and cities. Just select a state to see its rate and the date the latest change took effect (or will take effect).
Poster Guard® Poster Compliance Service guarantees year-round compliance with mandatory posting requirements for one annual fee. Once enrolled, you'll immediately receive a full federal, state, county and city poster set, plus automatic replacements any time a mandatory change occurs. Backed by an expert legal team, it delivers 365 days of hassle-free labor law posting compliance.
