The start of a new year is a good time for businesses to take stock and review their compliance with workplace laws. One area in particular that should be reviewed is the employee notice board. Maryland companies are required to post many notices about employee rights, benefits, and important laws. The requirements for businesses can vary based on industry, size, and whether the business operates in the public or private sector.
This Blog contains a list of some of the most commonly required posters and contains helpful tips to keep in compliance.
A. General Notice Requirements
All Maryland companies that employ at least one employee are required to post in their workplace notices about certain employment-related rights. For example, businesses must post the following notices:
- Maryland Minimum Wage and Overtime Laws Poster (note that some counties in Maryland have their own specific posters);
- Federal Minimum Wage Notice;
- Equal Pay for Equal Work Notice;
- Lie Detector Signature Sheet;
- Worker’s Compensation Poster;
- Health Insurance Coverage Poster;
- Unemployment Benefits Poster;
- Employment Discrimination is Unlawful Notice;
- Maryland Discrimination is Unlawful Notice;
- Safety and Health Protection On The Job Poster (while this poster is mandatory for all businesses, the signage is different depending on whether the business operates in the private or public sector;
- Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law Poster;
- Pregnant and Working Notice; and
- Maryland Earned Sick and Safe Leave Poster;
B. Specific Notice Requirements
The following notices are only required for certain businesses as described below:
- Family and Medical Leave Poster. This requirement applies to public agencies, public and private elementary and secondary schools, and private-sector employers that have at least 50 employees for at least 20 work weeks in a year.
- Employment of Minors Poster. Applicable to businesses employing minors (aged 14 – 17 years old).
- Notice To All Employees Working on Federal or Federally Financed Construction Projects. For businesses with federal or federally financed construction projects.
- Notice to Employees Working on Government Contracts. For businesses whose employees are working on government contracts.
- Federal Labor Laws Rights Notice. Required for employers who are federal contractors or subcontractors.
- Federal Contract Pay Transparency Notice. This notice is only required for employers who do business as government contractors.
- Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act Poster. For businesses that hire certain agricultural and farm labor workers
C. Notices to Work-From-Home Employees
Employers must make the labor law posters accessible electronically for their work-from-home employees. To comply with this requirement, employers can:
- Email the posters directly to the work-from-home employees (must be in an accessible format).
- Upload the documents to an employee website where the information is easily accessible and conspicuous.
- Include the documents in an employee handbook that is sent to the work-from-home employees.
D. Non-Compliance at Your Peril! But Beware of Scammers
It’s important for all employers throughout Maryland to know and comply with the applicable notice requirements. Employers who fail to post required posters or notices can face fines of up to $17,000 and can open themselves up to litigation.
Entrepreneurs who work on their own (for example, sole proprietorships or single-member limited liability companies without employees) do not need to post notices. These types of companies should be aware of scammers who sell workplace posters to all newly formed businesses, whether they need them or not. While companies might need legal assistance in determining the posters that apply to them, all of the posters are available online and do not need to be. Be sure to review the notice board requirements carefully and to stay informed to avoid potential fines and ensure your business runs smoothly.
This blog was written by Jamie Kent Hamelburg, Managing Member at Hamelburg Law, LLC, and Sarah Benjamin, an associate at the firm. Jamie and Sarah, along with the other attorneys at Hamelburg Law, help employers navigate legal requirements and stay informed in all areas relating to business law. Please note that this Blog provides general advice only. The listing of posters we have included is not meant to be exhaustive and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. For more information on how your business is required to post notices to employees or other employment or business law matters, consult with our experienced attorneys.
