Florida Labor Law Poster Changes for What Employers Need to Know

Employers in Florida must display certain labor law posters in the workplace to inform employees of their rights and protections. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in penalties and fines. Employers must stay current on any changes to these posters to ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws.

This article will discuss the recent changes to Florida labor law posters and what employers need to know to remain compliant.

Recent Changes to Florida Labor Law Posters

The state of Florida has made several changes to its labor law posters in recent years. The most recent change occurred on July 1, 2021, when the state updated its minimum wage poster to reflect the new minimum wage rate.

Minimum Wage Poster

The state of Florida has a minimum wage requirement that is higher than the federal minimum wage rate. As of January 1, 2021, the state minimum wage increased to $8.65 per hour. On September 30, 2021, the minimum wage increased again to $10.00 per hour. The minimum wage poster must be posted in a conspicuous location in the workplace where employees can easily see it.

The updated minimum wage poster includes the new minimum wage rate and the effective date of the change. Employers should replace their existing minimum wage posters with the updated version to ensure compliance with state law.

Unemployment Compensation Poster

Florida also updated its unemployment compensation poster in 2019. The updated poster includes new information about the state’s reemployment assistance program, which provides financial assistance to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault.

The poster also includes updated contact information for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, which administers the state’s unemployment compensation program.

Workers’ Compensation Poster

The state of Florida requires employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance to employees who are injured on the job. The state’s workers’ compensation poster outlines employees’ rights and responsibilities under the workers’ compensation system.

In 2017, Florida updated its workers’ compensation poster to reflect changes to the state’s workers’ compensation laws. The updated poster includes new information about employee rights to medical care and reimbursement for expenses related to their injury.

Equal Employment Opportunity Poster

Employers in Florida must also display an equal employment opportunity poster in the workplace. The poster must be prominently displayed so employees can easily see it.

The equal employment opportunity poster outlines the state’s anti-discrimination laws and provides information about filing a complaint if an employee feels they have been the victim of discrimination.

The poster was last updated in 2017 to reflect changes to the state’s anti-discrimination laws.

Other Labor Law Posters

In addition to the posters discussed above, employers in Florida may be required to display other labor law posters depending on the nature of their business and their employees. Some examples of other posters that may be required include:

• OSHA poster
• FMLA poster
• E-Verify poster
• USERRA poster

Employers should review the state and federal labor law poster requirements to ensure they are in compliance with all applicable laws.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Employers who fail to comply with labor law poster requirements may be penalized and fined. The penalties can vary depending on the violation and the number of violations. Penalties for labor law poster violations can range from $50 to $1,000 per violation in Florida.

Failure to display required labor law posters can also result in legal action against the employer by the affected employee or government agency.

Ensuring Compliance with Labor Law Poster Requirements

To ensure compliance with labor law poster requirements, employers should take the following steps:

1. Identify which labor law posters are required based on the nature of the business and the types of employees.
2. Obtain the necessary posters. Labor law posters can be obtained from various sources, including the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the U.S. Department of Labor, and private vendors.
3. Display the posters in a conspicuous location in the workplace where employees can easily see them. The posters should be displayed in a common area, such as a break room or near the entrance to the workplace.
4. Monitor for updates to labor law posters. Labor law poster requirements can change frequently, and it is the responsibility of the employer to stay up-to-date on any changes.
5. Replace outdated posters with updated versions as necessary. Employers should replace outdated posters with updated versions as soon as they become available to ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws.

In addition to displaying labor law posters, employers should educate their employees on their rights and protections under state and federal labor laws. This can include training on workplace safety, harassment prevention, and wage and hour laws.

Conclusion

Staying compliant with Florida labor law poster requirements is essential for employers. Failure to comply can result in penalties, fines, and legal action from affected employees or government agencies.

By staying up-to-date on changes to labor law posters, obtaining the necessary posters, displaying them in a conspicuous location, monitoring for updates, and educating employees on their rights and protections, employers can ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws and avoid potential penalties and fines.

Read Related: Common Mistakes Employers Make with Labor Law Posters in California