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By ApronPrep Compliance Team|Reviewed by Sarah Chen, Food Safety Specialist|Verified April 2026
10Form Fields

Analyzed from Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster

8Auto-Filled

80% from one compliance interview

2Need Attention

Manual entry or document upload required

157+Cities Analyzed
9,849+Requirements Tracked
8,415+Forms Analyzed
433,000+Fields Classified

Why You Need a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster is a federal workplace posting requirement, mandated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. The primary legal basis is the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.). For restaurants and other employers, compliance is triggered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) framework, which governs workplace postings. If your business in Oklahoma City has 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius, you are legally required to display this poster. The poster must be placed in a conspicuous location where all employees can see it, such as a break room or near time clocks.

Failing to display the required FMLA poster can lead to significant consequences during a Department of Labor investigation. Common penalties include:

  • Civil money penalties: The DOL can assess fines for willful violations of posting requirements. While not a direct filing fee, these penalties are financial risks.
  • Investigative scrutiny: Lack of proper postings is a red flag that often triggers a more thorough, time-consuming audit of your payroll, overtime, and record-keeping practices under the FLSA.
  • Liability for back wages and liquidated damages: A broader investigation stemming from a posting violation can uncover other FLSA violations, leading to orders for back pay plus an equal amount in liquidated damages (effectively doubling the owed wages).
  • Reputational and operational risk: Non-compliance can affect employee relations, complicate lease agreements that require legal compliance, and potentially impact insurance renewals or workers' compensation audits.

Legal code: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act

Back wages, liquidated damages (2x back wages), civil money penalties up to $2,374 per violation for child labor, $1,000+ for willful FLSA violations

Recent update: The DOL's FMLA poster was last updated in 2024; ensure you are displaying the current version, as using an outdated poster is considered non-compliant.

Who Needs a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster?

TypeRequiredNotes
Restaurant (Full-Service)RequiredRequired if the restaurant employs 50 or more workers within a 75-mile radius, per federal FMLA regulations enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Bar / NightclubRequiredRequired if the establishment meets the 50-employee, 75-mile radius threshold; the business type does not grant an exemption under 29 CFR § 825.105.
Food TruckNot RequiredTypically exempt unless part of a larger fleet or restaurant group that collectively employs 50+ workers within a 75-mile radius, as individual units rarely meet the threshold.
Coffee Shop / CaféRequiredRequired if the café has 50 or more employees, including part-time workers, within the 75-mile radius defined by 29 CFR § 825.111.
12 more establishment types

See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.

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Field-by-Field Guide (10 Fields)

8 of 10 auto-filled

Total Number of Employees

number
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Enter the total number of employees on your payroll across all locations; count both full-time and part-time staff, as the FMLA applies to all employers with 50 or more employees.

COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the number for only one location if you have multiple sites, which can lead to a misassessment of FMLA applicability and compliance risk.

Understanding of FMLA Poster Requirement

boolean
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Confirm 'Yes' to acknowledge your legal obligation to display the poster if you have 50+ employees, which is a key defense against Department of Labor (DOL) penalties for willful non-compliance.

COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' or leaving blank, which ApronPrep flags as a high-risk gap in your compliance record during a DOL audit.

High rejection risk

FMLA Poster Downloaded

boolean
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Confirm 'Yes' once you have obtained the official 2026 'Your Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act' poster from the DOL website or an approved distributor.

COMMON MISTAKE: Downloading an outdated poster (e.g., 2023 version) or a poster from a non-official source, which does not fulfill the legal requirement.

High rejection risk

Poster Acquisition Method

select
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Select how you obtained the poster: 'DOL Website,' 'ApronPrep Library,' or 'Commercial Vendor'—auditors may request proof of sourcing from an authoritative channel.

COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting an incorrect source or leaving blank, creating a documentation gap if you need to prove you accessed the legally mandated version.

Poster Display Location

text
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Describe the specific, conspicuous place where the poster is displayed (e.g., 'Employee break room bulletin board,' 'HR office door'), as required by 29 CFR § 825.300(a).

COMMON MISTAKE: Vague entries like 'office' or leaving blank, which provide no verifiable proof of proper posting for DOL inspection purposes.

High rejection risk

Business Has Multiple Locations

boolean
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Select 'Yes' if you operate more than one worksite within 75 miles, as the FMLA may require posting at each location if they house 50+ employees collectively.

COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you have multiple sites, leading to incomplete compliance and risking penalties at unposted locations.

High rejection risk

Number of Business Locations

number
Auto-filled from compliance interview

If 'has_multiple_locations' is Yes, enter the total count of your distinct worksites to ensure your posting plan covers all required locations.

COMMON MISTAKE: Entering '1' when you have multiple locations, which creates an inconsistency in your compliance documentation and plan.

Poster Display Confirmed

boolean
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Confirm 'Yes' only after the poster is physically posted in the declared location; this is your final attestation of active compliance.

COMMON MISTAKE: Confirming 'Yes' prematurely before the poster is actually displayed, which misrepresents your compliance status and creates liability.

High rejection risk

Poster Maintenance Plan

boolean
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Confirm 'Yes' to attest you have a process (e.g., quarterly checks) to ensure the poster remains visible, undamaged, and not covered up.

COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No,' indicating no maintenance plan, which auditors view as negligence if a poster is found missing or defaced.

Monitoring for Poster Updates

boolean
Auto-filled from compliance interview

Confirm 'Yes' to acknowledge you will monitor for DOL-issued updates to the FMLA poster, as using an outdated version is non-compliance.

COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No,' which shows a lack of ongoing compliance diligence and increases risk if the DOL releases a new mandatory poster.

Top 5 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster Mistakes

1

1. Displaying an Outdated Poster Version

Displaying a poster from before 2026 omits critical updates to procedures and notice requirements set by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL's Wage and Hour Division can cite employers for each location with a non-compliant poster, with potential penalties. To avoid this, download the official 'Employee Rights Under the FMLA' poster directly from the DOL website, ensuring the publication date includes the current year.

2

2. Posting in an Inaccessible or Non-Prominent Location

Tucking the poster in a back office or an employees-only online portal violates the DOL's requirement for a conspicuous place where all employees and applicants can see it. This mistake is a common finding during investigations. Post it in a common area like a break room, next to time clocks, or on a physical bulletin board that is accessible to all staff.

3

3. Failing to Post for All Required Employee Groups

Assuming only full-time employees are covered is incorrect. The FMLA poster must be displayed for the benefit of all employees, including part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers who meet eligibility criteria. Not posting for all groups can lead to claims that employees were not properly notified of their rights. Ensure the poster is visible in all work locations, including remote worksites with 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.

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Skip the Paperwork on Your Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster

ApronPrep auto-fills 8 of 10 fields from one compliance interview.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster by City in Oklahoma

CityFee RangeTimeline
Norman
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Timeline: Varies

1

Download and Review Current FMLA Poster from U.S. Department of Labor

Visit the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) section of the Department of Labor's website to download the most current 'Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act' poster (Form WHD Publication 1420). The poster is free and provided in multiple languages. Before printing, verify the publication date is the most recent version (check for 2026 or later) as the DOL occasionally updates mandatory content. This step is critical as displaying an outdated poster is a common compliance failure.

15–30 minutes
2

Print Poster to Meet Size and Readability Standards

Print the downloaded PDF poster at the required size and legibility. The DOL mandates the poster must be at least 11 by 17 inches, with lettering that is clearly legible. Use a professional printer or high-quality office printer on durable paper. Ensure all text, especially the contact information for the WHD (1-866-4-US-WAGE), is clear and unobstructed. A common mistake is printing on standard 8.5" x 11" paper, which does not meet the visibility requirements.

1–2 hours (including procurement)
3

Post in a Conspicuous Location Accessible to All Employees

Affix the printed poster in one or more prominent places where it can be readily seen by employees and applicants for employment. In a restaurant, this is typically in a break room, near time clocks, or next to other mandatory labor law postings. The location must be accessible to all staff, including those who may not use a computer. Document this action (e.g., take a timestamped photo) for your records to demonstrate compliance in case of a DOL inspection.

1 day
2 more steps

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Other Requirements You'll Need

This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Oklahoma.

FAQ

Obtaining the federal FMLA poster itself is immediate and free from the U.S. Department of Labor website. However, your overall compliance timeline depends on ensuring it's properly displayed before opening. If you need a Building Permit or a Certificate of Occupancy, those processes, which may include poster verification, can take weeks—contact the Oklahoma City Planning & Development Department for current processing estimates.

There are no government filing fees to download the required poster from the federal government. The official fee range is $0–$0. You must, however, pay for printing or professional framing, if desired. Not legal advice — verify with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Yes, the physical poster itself can be moved to a new business location within Oklahoma City. The legal requirement is to post the notice where employees can see it; it is not tied to a specific address like a City Business License/Registration. You must ensure it's displayed at the new premises on or before the first day of operation there.

You do not renew the FMLA poster. The federal requirement is continuous posting as long as you have 50 or more employees. You only need to replace the poster if the U.S. Department of Labor issues an updated version—check their website annually for new editions. Keep it alongside other mandatory postings that do require renewal.

Federal or state wage & hour investigators will check that the current FMLA poster is displayed in a conspicuous place, like a break room or common area, where all employees can see it. Failure to post can trigger a penalty of up to $204 per violation, per U.S. Department of Labor regulations. This inspection can occur during routine audits or as part of a complaint investigation.

About This Data

This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.

For Oklahoma specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 10 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.

Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.

157+Cities analyzed
9,849Requirements tracked
8,415Forms analyzed
433,000Fields classified

Sources

  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act
How we verify data

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