This guide to Wisconsin labor law posters explains the mandatory workplace notices Wisconsin employers must display to inform employees of their legal rights.
This guide covers which state and federal posters are required, where to post them, how to get official copies, and the risks employers face for non compliance.
1. Overview of Required Posters
Wisconsin employers must display specific state and federal labor law posters in conspicuous locations accessible to all employees.
Those postings notify workers about discrimination protections, minimum wage and overtime rules, safety rights, unemployment benefits, child labor limits, and family leave entitlements.
Mandatory Wisconsin State Posters
All Wisconsin employers must post the Fair Employment Law poster which explains protected classes and prohibited discriminatory practices.
Employers who hire minors must post Hours and Times of Day Minors May Work in Wisconsin to show permitted schedules and restrictions.
Employers using honesty testing devices must post the Employee Protections Against Use of Honesty Testing Devices notice to explain worker rights about those tests.
Businesses with 50 or more employees must also post the Family and Medical Leave Law notice and the Wisconsin Bone Marrow and Organ Donation Leave Act poster.
Employers with 50 or more employees must post Notification Required for Cessation of Health Care Benefits when applicable.
Health care employers and facility managers must display the Retaliation Protection for Health Care Workers poster.
All employers covered by Wisconsin unemployment law must post the Notice to Employees About Applying for Wisconsin Unemployment Benefits.
Mandatory Federal Posters
In addition to state notices, Wisconsin workplaces must display federal posters such as Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act for minimum wage and overtime rules.
OSHA Job Safety and Health: It is the Law must be visible so employees know their workplace safety rights and complaint process.
Employers covered by FMLA must post Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under The Family and Medical Leave Act.
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Migrant labor employers must post the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act notice when applicable.
Employers who pay special minimum wages under FLSA section 14c must post the Employee Rights for Workers with Disabilities Paid at Special Minimum Wages notice.
Most private employers should post the Employee Polygraph Protection Act notice which explains limits on lie detector use.
Individuals with military service rights should be informed via the Your Rights Under USERRA poster where applicable.
2. Where to Place Posters
Postings must be in conspicuous locations where employees and job applicants can easily read them during the workday.
Common placement sites include break rooms, employee lounges, time clock areas, HR offices, and main employee entrances.
If a business occupies multiple buildings or floors, a full set of required posters should be displayed at each separate worksite.
Posters must be unobstructed, large enough to read at a reasonable distance, and maintained in good condition.
For remote workers provide electronic access to required posters so telecommuters can view the notices and the employer can demonstrate compliance.
3. Obtaining and Maintaining Posters
Official Wisconsin posters can be downloaded for free from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in English and Spanish.
Federal posters are available from the U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies without charge.
Some employers purchase consolidated poster sets from private vendors for convenience but must ensure the content matches the official government versions exactly.
Monitor agency pages and mailing lists for updates and replace posters immediately when new versions are issued.
Special Posting Requirements
Certain notices apply only to employers meeting size or industry thresholds such as the 50 or more employee rule for several Wisconsin notices.
Health care facilities have unique posting obligations including protections against retaliation for health care workers.
4. Consequences of Non Compliance
Failure to display required posters can subject employers to fines imposed by federal and state agencies.
OSHA poster violations can carry penalties that may be several thousand dollars per violation.
The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development enforces state posting rules and can assess penalties based on the nature of the omission.
Beyond fines, failure to post may weaken an employer's legal position in disputes and can be used as evidence of poor compliance when employees bring claims.
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5. Best Practices For Staying Compliant
Assign a compliance owner such as an HR Manager or business owner to track poster obligations and updates.
Keep a master checklist of federal and state posters and note which locations have a posted set.
Conduct periodic inspections and photograph posted materials to document maintenance and date of posting.
Subscribe to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and U.S. Department of Labor update lists to receive new release notifications.
6. Quick Reference Table of Posters and Sources
| Poster | Issuer | Where To Obtain and How To Display |
|---|---|---|
| Fair Employment Law Poster | Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development | Free from DWD; post in break rooms or HR areas where employees can view it |
| Hours and Times of Day Minors May Work in Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development | Required if hiring minors; display where employee notices are posted |
| Employee Protections Against Use of Honesty Testing Devices | Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development | Post if employer uses honesty testing devices; ensure visibility |
| Employee Rights Under the Fair Labor Standards Act | U.S. Department of Labor | Obtain from DOL; post where employees routinely pass and can read it |
| Job Safety and Health: It is the Law (OSHA) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration | Required for most employers; display in prominent employee areas |
7. Additional Resources For Posters and Forms
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Workplace Posters
- U.S. Department of Labor Workplace Posters
- Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Poster Packet Downloads
Wisconsin Labor Law Posters: Conclusion
Maintaining current poster displays in conspicuous locations is a straightforward step that reduces legal risk for Wisconsin employers.
Assign responsibility, download official copies from government sites, replace outdated materials promptly, and document your efforts to demonstrate good faith compliance.
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