# Why doesn't my workplace have any posters about my rights?

- Jurisdiction: United States
- Practice area: Employment Law
- Published: 2026-10-25
- Last updated: 2026-10-25
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/us/employment-law/why-doesn-t-my-workplace-any-posters-about

## Question

I have been working as a warehouse associate at a large distribution center in Ohio for about eight months now. I started this job back in November, and since my first day, I have noticed that the breakroom and the main entrance area are completely bare. There are some old safety warnings and a few posters about health insurance, but there isn't a single notice explaining my rights regarding discrimination or how to file a formal complaint if something happens. I actually brought this up to my supervisor, Mike, during our monthly check-in on Tuesday, February 13th. I mentioned that I couldn't find any information about the rules for fair treatment at work, and he just shrugged and told me that management handles all the paperwork in the back office and that I shouldn't worry about it. I also checked the employee handbook they gave me when I was hired, but it doesn't mention where these specific notices are supposed to be displayed for everyone to see. I am trying to figure out if my company is actually required to hang up physical signs or summaries of these rules in a place where all the employees can easily read them during our shifts, or if they are allowed to just keep that information private.

## Summary

Yes, your employer is generally required to display these notices. Under federal law, companies must post summaries of certain rights in visible areas where employees typically gather.

## Analysis

Based on the facts you provided, your employer's practice of keeping all paperwork in a back office instead of displaying it publicly may violate federal law. 

Regarding your rights against discrimination, the law states that "Every employer... shall post and keep posted in conspicuous places upon its premises where notices to employees... are customarily posted a notice... setting forth excerpts, from or, summaries of, the pertinent provisions of this subchapter and information pertinent to the filing of a complaint" [1]. This means that for laws like the Civil Rights Act, your company cannot simply keep the information private in an office; they must put up signs in common areas, like your breakroom, so you can easily find them. 

Similarly, if your workplace is subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which covers certain types of unpaid, job-protected leave for medical reasons, the employer "shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees and applicants for employment are customarily posted, a notice... setting forth excerpts from, or summaries of, the pertinent provisions of this subchapter and information pertaining to the filing of a charge" [2]. 

While your supervisor, Mike, told you not to worry about it, a "willful violation"—which means an employer intentionally breaks the law—can result in fines [1] [2]. 

It is unclear if your specific distribution center is currently in violation of the FMLA requirements, as your question only mentions missing discrimination notices. Whether the company is in violation of the FMLA depends on whether they meet the specific size and coverage requirements of that Act.

## Statutory citations

- Civil Rights Act & Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–10 - Posting of notices; penalties [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title42-section2000e–10)
  > Every employer... shall post and keep posted in conspicuous places upon its premises where notices to employees... are customarily posted a notice... setting forth excerpts, from or, summaries of, the pertinent provisions of this subchapter and information pertinent to the filing of a complaint
- Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. § 2619 - Notice [in force] (https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title29-section2619)
  > Each employer shall post and keep posted, in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer where notices to employees and applicants for employment are customarily posted, a notice... setting forth excerpts from, or summaries of, the pertinent provisions of this subchapter

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