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Joint Consumer Alert from ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB MCKENNA and DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
SEATTLE – Attorney General Rob McKenna and Labor and Industries Director Gary Weeks warned consumers today to be on the lookout for private companies mailing notices that threaten businesses with up to $17,000 in fines, lawsuits and audits for not displaying labor law posters.
The Attorney General’s Office has received inquiries and complaints regarding notices from Personnel Concepts, also known as PCI, and The Washington Labor Law Poster Service. Both companies sell posters concerning state and federal labor laws. The mailings arrive in envelopes labeled “FINAL NOTICE” or “FINAL REQUEST.”
“ While it’s true that employers who fail to post required labor law posters may be fined, these notices make it appear that immediate compliance through purchase of their products is necessary to escape penalties,” McKenna said. “Readers who fail to read the notices carefully might mistakenly assume they originated from a government-affiliated agency and that the government is charging them for the posters.”
“ Employers have the option to purchase labor law posters from a for-profit company, or save money by obtaining them at no charge from government agencies,” McKenna said. “Employers who have questions about poster requirements should contact the Department of Labor and Industries.”
Many posters can be downloaded from agency Web sites.
Employers can pick up posters required by Labor and Industries at any local Labor and Industries office. Labor and Industries is encouraging employers to request or download the 2006 “Minimum Wage” poster and an updated "Your Rights as a Non-agricultural Worker" poster.
A required unemployment poster and a five-in-one federal labor law poster are available from any WorkSource Center.
A list of required and recommended posters is available on the Department of Labor and Industries Web site at http:/www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/101-054-000.asp and copied below:
Washington Department of Labor and Industries
- If A Job Injury Occurs (F242-191-909): www.lni.wa.gov/ipub/242-191-909.pdf or call 1-800-547-8367
- Notice to Employees – Self-insured Businesses (F207-037-000): www.lni.wa.gov/ipub/207-037-000.pdf or call 360-902-6898 (This poster is for self-insured businesses. All others use F242-191-909.)
- Job Safety and Health Protection(F416-081-909): www.lni.wa.gov/ipub/416-081-909.pdf or call 1-800-423-7233
- Your Rights as a Non-agricultural Worker (F700-074-000): www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/700-074-909.pdf or call 360-902-5316 (Recently updated)
- Your Rights as an Agricultural Worker (F700-083-000): www.lni.wa.gov/ipub/700-083-000.pdf or call 360-902-5316
- Washington Minimum Wage (F700-102-909): www.LNI.wa.gov/IPUB/700-102-909.pdf or call 360-902-5316 (Recommended – Recently updated)
Washington Employment Security Department
- Notice to Employees – Unemployment Benefits (#9874): http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/unemployment/benefits/forms/9874.pdf or call 360-902 9360
Washington Human Rights Commission
- Washington State Law Prohibits Discrimination in Employment: Call 1-800-233-3247 (Recommended)
United States Department of Labor
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage Poster (WH Pub. 1088): http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/posters/flsa.htm or call 206-398-8039
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act (WH Pub. 1462): www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/posters/eppa.htm or call 206-398-8039
- Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (WH Pub. 1420): www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/posters/fmla.htm or call 206-398-8039
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
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Equal Opportunity Employment is the Law (also covers Americans with Disabilities Act): www.eeoc.gov/posterform.html or call 1-800-669-3362
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Media Contacts: Kristin Alexander, Public Information Officer, Attorney General’s Office, (206) 464-6432, kalexander@atg.wa.gov
Elaine Fischer, L&I Public Affairs, 360-902-5413, nele235@LNI.wa.gov