While the federal minimum wage hasn’t increased in more than a decade, it remains mandatory for all employers to inform employees of the current minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers are required to do so by displaying the current federal minimum wage poster where all employees can see it.
Enacted in 1938 by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) — 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, or rules, apply to all 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 DOL.
Since 1938, the federal minimum wage has increased 22 times — from 25 cents an hour to the current rate of $7.25 an hour.
To make sure employers communicate pay rights to employees, the DOL maintains an official posting that all employers must display in the workplace. (This is one of the six mandatory federal postings employers are required to display.) While the poster is commonly known as the “federal minimum wage poster,” its content covers many more FLSA-related topics, including:
Because the federal minimum wage has not changed since 2009, many states have passed laws establishing a higher minimum wage than the federal minimum. And more recently, some counties and cities have established minimum wage rates that are higher than the state or federal minimum. These more generous minimum wage laws require additional postings beyond the federal minimum wage poster.
It’s important to consider that you’re legally required to display all mandatory postings — federal, state and local where applicable — in each business location, even if they conflict. And you are required by law to pay the most generous rate to your workers.
Know Your Rates!
The Minimum Wage Monitor is a valuable resource for understanding minimum wage rates across the U.S. The map shows current minimum wage rates along with a four-year history of changes across all states, counties and cities. You can quickly verify minimum wage rates by selecting a state on the map and seeing the rate and the date the change went into effect (or will go into effect).
If you have at least one employee in your business, you are required to display certain labor law posters, including the federal minimum wage poster. Be sure to put it in a conspicuous location accessible to all employees, such as a break room, entrance area or near the time clock station. Larger businesses should post in multiple areas to ensure all employees can easily view it.
Bottom line: If you have employees, you need to display minimum wage posters. Failure to display the correct federal, state and local employment law notices can result in penalties, fines and lawsuits.
