Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster in Knoxville, Tennessee (2026)
If your Knoxville restaurant lacks the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster, the U.S. Department of Labor can issue a fine up to $204, even for a first violation. This required federal workplace poster, sometimes called an employee rights notice, must be displayed by all covered employers. Key facts:
- 10 fields to generate the poster — ApronPrep auto-fills 8
- $0 government filing fee — the poster itself is free to obtain
- Timeline varies — you need it posted immediately for compliance
Analyzed from Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster
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Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster
The legal basis for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster is federal law, specifically the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. As a federal labor requirement, it is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). This means all covered employers nationwide, including those in Knoxville, Tennessee, must comply. The requirement to post this notice in a conspicuous workplace location is detailed in 29 CFR § 825.300. It applies to any private employer with 50 or more employees within 75 miles, as well as all public agencies and public/private elementary and secondary schools, regardless of employee count.
Failing to display the current, official FMLA poster has immediate practical and financial consequences. Federal investigators conducting routine audits or investigating employee complaints will check for the poster. Penalties for non-compliance with federal labor posting requirements are cumulative and severe. Based on Department of Labor enforcement data, common consequences include:
- Civil Money Penalties: For willful or repeated violations of the FLSA posting rules, the WHD can assess civil money penalties. While specific amounts vary, they can reach over $1,000 per violation. These penalties are separate from any back wages or damages owed.
- Investigation Trigger & Back Wages: The absence of the poster is a red flag that can trigger a full, time-consuming WHD audit of your payroll, timekeeping, and other labor practices. This can lead to findings of other violations and liability for significant back wages and liquidated damages (which can double the back wage amount owed).
- Operational & Reputational Risk: Non-compliance can lead to employee lawsuits and grievances, damaging staff morale and your business's reputation. Furthermore, certain lenders, insurers, or potential buyers may review labor law compliance during due diligence, and violations can affect loan terms, insurance premiums, or business valuations.
Legal code: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act
Recent update: As of 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor has released an updated version of the mandatory FMLA poster to reflect current regulatory text and contact information; using an outdated poster is considered non-compliance.
Who Needs a Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | The federal FMLA poster is required if you employ 50 or more people within a 75-mile radius, per 29 CFR § 825.300(a). |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Subject to the same 50-employee, 75-mile radius threshold for covered employers under the FMLA regulations. |
| Food Truck | Not Required | Typically exempt due to employee count; most single-truck operators have fewer than 50 employees within 75 miles. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required if the business or a chain location meets the 50-employee coverage threshold established by the U.S. Department of Labor. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (10 Fields)
8 of 10 auto-filledTotal Number of Employees
numberEnter the total number of employees on your payroll across all company-wide locations, as calculated for the current or preceding calendar year to determine if you meet the FMLA coverage threshold of 50 or more employees within a 75-mile radius.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering the number of employees at just the Knoxville location instead of the company-wide total, which can lead to misidentifying your FMLA coverage obligation.
Understanding of FMLA Poster Requirement
booleanConfirm your understanding that all covered employers (50+ employees) must display the 'Your Rights Under the FMLA' poster from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in a conspicuous place.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' when you are a covered employer, indicating a lack of awareness of a basic federal labor law posting requirement.
FMLA Poster Downloaded
booleanIndicate whether you have obtained the official, current version of the FMLA poster, which must be the 2026 edition or later as required by the DOL Wage and Hour Division.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using an outdated poster from a previous year or a non-official summary, which does not fulfill the legal posting requirement.
Poster Acquisition Method
selectSelect how you obtained the poster (e.g., DOL website, state agency, commercial provider) to demonstrate you have sourced it from a legitimate authority.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting an unofficial source without verifying the poster is the exact, unaltered document provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Poster Display Location
textDescribe the specific, physical place where the poster is displayed, such as 'employee break room bulletin board' or 'next to time clock,' to prove it's in a location frequented by employees.
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing an administrative office or back hallway not easily accessible to all employees, which violates the 'conspicuous place' requirement under 29 CFR § 825.300.
Business Has Multiple Locations
booleanAnswer 'Yes' if your business operates more than one establishment, as this triggers the requirement to display the poster at each location where you have FMLA-eligible employees.
COMMON MISTAKE: Answering 'No' when you have a second location with employees, potentially leading to a violation at the undisclosed site.
Number of Business Locations
numberIf you have multiple locations, enter the total count of all establishments where employees work, as the FMLA poster must be displayed at each site to ensure all employees have notice.
COMMON MISTAKE: Under-counting locations by excluding satellite offices, warehouses, or remote worksites with employees, creating compliance gaps.
Poster Display Confirmed
booleanAffirm that the poster is physically posted at the declared location(s), as a DOL investigator will verify this during a compliance audit.
COMMON MISTAKE: Confirming display without a recent physical check, risking a violation if the poster has been removed, damaged, or obscured.
Poster Maintenance Plan
booleanConfirm you have a process to ensure the poster remains legible, unobstructed, and intact, as faded, torn, or covered posters do not meet the legal standard.
COMMON MISTAKE: Lacking a plan, leading to an unnoticed violation if the poster becomes damaged or is covered by other notices.
Monitoring for Poster Updates
booleanIndicate you monitor for official updates from the DOL, as using an outdated poster after a regulatory change is a common violation.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming the poster never changes; the DOL can update the required poster, and failure to replace it incurs the same penalty as not posting at all.
Top 5 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster Mistakes
1. Using an Outdated Poster Version
Posting a version of the FMLA poster from before 2025. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) periodically updates the poster, and the current version must include specific contact details and regulatory references. An outdated poster fails to meet the posting requirement, which can result in fines up to $204 per violation. Always verify you are using the 'Employee Rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act' poster issued by the Wage and Hour Division, available for download directly from the DOL website.
2. Displaying the Poster in an Inaccessible Location
Posting the notice where employees cannot easily see it, such as in a back office, a cluttered bulletin board, or a non-central hallway. The law requires it be posted in a conspicuous place where employees and applicants tend to congregate. This oversight is a common citation during DOL investigations. Place the poster in a break room, near the time clock, or in another common area that all employees, including remote workers who occasionally visit, can access.
3. Failing to Notify Ineligible Employees
Assuming the posting requirement is the only one and not providing individual FMLA eligibility notices to employees. If an employee is ineligible for FMLA (e.g., hasn't worked 1,250 hours in the past 12 months), the employer must provide a reason for ineligibility in writing. This is a separate requirement from the poster. Failing to provide this notice can waive an employer's right to dispute an employee's eligibility later, leading to unintended, costly leave entitlements.
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | ||
| Memphis | ||
| Nashville |
Timeline: 1-2 Business Days to Obtain and Display
Determine Covered Status and Download the Poster
Verify that your business employs 50 or more workers within 75 miles of the worksite, meeting FMLA coverage thresholds. Navigate to the official U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) website to find the latest "Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical Leave Act" poster. This is a mandatory workplace notice. Download the federal poster; no state-specific version is required for Tennessee. The poster is free, and downloading from the DOL ensures you have the legally correct 2026 version.
Print the Poster
Print the downloaded PDF at a size of at least 8.5 x 11 inches. Use a commercial-quality printer to ensure all text and contact information is clear and legible. This step is often overlooked but critical; small, faded, or partial prints are not compliant. You are responsible for the printing costs, which are not a government filing fee.
Display the Poster in a Conspicuous Workplace Location
Post the printed notice in a location where it is easily visible to all employees and job applicants, such as a common break room, near time clocks, or on a dedicated employee bulletin board. For remote workers, you must distribute the poster electronically (e.g., via company email or intranet) and post it on a company website accessible to staff. In Knoxville, this satisfies the Tennessee requirement for electronic posting. Failure to post properly is a common violation cited during DOL investigations.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThere is no processing timeline because this is not an application or license. The federal FMLA poster must be displayed once obtained, and there is no government approval process. You can download or order the poster immediately from the U.S. Department of Labor's website.
The official government fee range is $0–$0. The poster is available for free download from the Department of Labor, though you may incur costs if you choose to have it professionally printed or laminated. Not legal advice — verify with the U.S. Department of Labor.
Yes. The FMLA poster is not tied to a specific address or location; it is a federal notice you must display at each of your worksites. If you move your business within Knoxville or open a new location, you simply need to ensure a current poster is displayed at the new site, similar to how you would manage a new Application for Employer Identification Number for a new business entity.
The poster must be updated whenever the Department of Labor issues a new version. While there is no annual 'renewal,' you should check for updates periodically. This is a compliance task similar to keeping your City Business License/Registration current, but with a less predictable schedule.
A Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigator will check for the poster's presence and ensure it's the most current version during a compliance audit or investigation. The 'inspection' is a visual verification that the poster is displayed in a conspicuous place where employees can see it, often conducted alongside a review of your payroll and leave records.
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 Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), 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.
Sources
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act
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