Tennessee Child Labor Poster in Memphis, Tennessee (2026)
State inspectors can issue fines for not having the Tennessee Child Labor Poster visible in your Memphis restaurant. This state-required notice, issued by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, must be posted where all employees can see it. Key facts:
- 1 field — ApronPrep auto-fills 1
- $0–$0 in government filing fees
- Processing time varies—post it as soon as you obtain it
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Why You Need a Tennessee Child Labor Poster
The Tennessee Child Labor Poster is a mandatory workplace posting required by the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development (TDLWD). Its legal basis is rooted in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 50, which governs employment regulations, and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Memphis employers are obligated to display this poster in a conspicuous location to inform employees under 18 years old of their rights and restrictions, including permissible work hours, prohibited hazardous occupations, and minimum wage information. The TDLWD enforces this posting requirement for all businesses with employees in the state.
Failure to display the required Tennessee Child Labor Poster exposes your Memphis restaurant to significant compliance risks and financial penalties. Based on TDLWD enforcement actions and analysis of state wage laws, common consequences include:
- Civil penalties from state labor inspections, with fines assessed per violation. A failure-to-post violation can trigger additional scrutiny of your overall wage and hour compliance.
- Increased liability in wage and hour disputes. If a minor employee files a complaint for unpaid wages or illegal work hours, the absence of the required poster can be used as evidence of non-compliance, potentially leading to orders for back wages and statutory damages.
- Cease-and-desist orders for minor employees found performing prohibited tasks, which can halt kitchen or service operations reliant on that labor.
- Complications with business insurance and lease agreements that require compliance with all state labor laws; a violation can be grounds for increased premiums or breach of contract.
Legal code: State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
Recent update: As of 2026, the Tennessee Department of Labor has revised the official Child Labor Poster to include updated contact information and references to recent state legislative changes affecting minor work hours in certain industries.
Who Needs a Tennessee Child Labor Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | All restaurants, regardless of size, are covered employers under Tennessee Code Annotated § 50-5-104, which requires public display of the official poster if any employee is under 18. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required as a covered employer if employing minors, though state law prohibits the employment of anyone under 18 in most roles involving alcohol service per TCA § 39-15-404. |
| Food Truck | Required | Food trucks operating in Memphis are considered a "place of employment" under Tennessee wage and hour laws, so the poster must be displayed at the vehicle’s primary base of operations. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required because these are employers subject to the Tennessee Child Labor Act, as they often employ teens for counter service and cleaning roles. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (1 Fields)
1 of 1 auto-filledRegular Payday Schedule
textEnter the day(s) of the week or month when employees are paid their regular wages, using a clear and specific format (e.g., "Every Friday," "The 15th and last day of the month," "Bi-weekly on Fridays") as required by Tennessee labor law for poster display.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank, entering vague or non-compliant language (like 'Upon request' or 'Varies'), or providing an internal policy number instead of the actual pay schedule readable by employees, which violates posting requirements.
Top 5 Tennessee Child Labor Poster Mistakes
1. Displaying an Outdated Poster
Using a Tennessee Child Labor Poster from a previous year, even if only by one version. The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development updates these posters periodically to reflect new laws. Displaying an outdated version fails to meet the posting requirement and can result in a citation during a routine inspection, which carries a fine of up to $1,000. To avoid, always download the current poster directly from the Tennessee Department of Labor website at the start of each calendar year.
2. Placing the Poster in an Inaccessible Location
Posting the notice in a back office, break room that employees rarely use, or another area not 'conspicuous and accessible' to all employees, as required by law. If your teenage employees cannot easily see it during their workday, the posting is not valid. This mistake is the most common cause of non-compliance citations in Memphis. To avoid, post it next to other required labor law posters (like minimum wage) in a high-traffic employee area like the time clock, kitchen entrance, or staff bulletin board.
3. Failing to Verify All Required Information is on the Poster
Assuming any 'Tennessee Labor Law' poster includes the specific child labor provisions. Some generic poster services or all-in-one kits may not include the full, state-mandated child labor information for Tennessee. You are responsible for ensuring the specific rules for work hours, prohibited occupations, and break requirements for minors under 18 are listed. To avoid, compare any poster you obtain against the official version on the state website to confirm all child labor sections are present and identical.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Tennessee Child Labor Poster
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Tennessee Child Labor Poster by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | ||
| Memphis | ||
| Nashville |
Timeline: Typically 0–2 Business Days
Review Requirements & Locate Poster
First, confirm the current poster version you need. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) is the issuing authority for the <strong>Tennessee Child Labor Poster</strong>. Download the most recent version directly from the TDLWD’s official publications website; it’s a mandatory, standardized notice and you cannot create your own. Ensure you check the revision date—posting an outdated version is a common compliance violation.
Print Poster on Required Material
Print the downloaded poster on durable paper (like card stock) at a size of at least 11" x 17". The poster's text must be legible from a distance. Many applicants trip up by printing on standard letter paper or at a smaller size. For best results, use a professional print shop. This poster is provided at no direct government filing fee, but you bear the cost of printing.
Post in a Conspicuous Location
You must display the poster where all employees, including minors, can easily see it. The standard requirement is in a common area like a break room, near the time clock, or by the office bulletin board. In Memphis, inspectors from the TDLWD or the Memphis Office of Youth Services may check for compliance during routine visits. Laminating the poster can protect it from kitchen grease or wear.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the Tennessee department of labor. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
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 RequirementsThe timeline for posting is immediate, as no formal government processing is required. Employers must display the official Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development (TDLWD) poster as soon as they hire their first minor. Since it's a download-and-post requirement, delays only occur if you order a physical copy, which can take 5–7 business days to ship.
The required poster itself has a government filing fee of $0–$0. You can download and print it for free from the TDLWD website. However, if you fail to post it, state fines can be up to $1,000 per violation, which is a cost you must avoid. This is separate from other mandatory postings, like the ADA Compliance Self-Certification poster.
No, a poster is not a transferable permit; it is a location-specific notice. If you move your restaurant, you must download and display a fresh copy at the new address. This is a standard requirement similar to updating your City Business License/Registration, which also requires a new application for a new location.
The poster itself does not expire, but you must ensure you are displaying the current version. The TDLWD updates the poster when state labor laws change, so you should check their website annually for revisions. Keeping it current is a continuous compliance duty, unlike permits that have fixed renewal cycles.
During a TDLWD or federal Wage and Hour Division inspection, an agent will verify the poster is displayed prominently where minor employees can see it, typically in a break room or near the time clock. They will check the poster's revision date to ensure it's current. Failure to display it can trigger fines and a more detailed audit of your minor employee work permits and schedules.
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 1 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
- State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
- Nashville — Department of Labor / Labor Standards
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