The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released a new “Know Your Rights” poster, which replaces the previous “EEO is the Law” poster. The new poster was originally released on October 19, but the EEOC posted a revised version on October 20 which employers are to use instead. The EEOC said the version marked Revised 10/20/2022 is to be used going forward and they apologized for any inconvenience. They have also provided answers to frequently asked questions about the new poster.
When do employers need to post by?
The laws that require covered employers to post the “Know Your Rights” poster don’t provide a specific deadline for replacing the “EEO is the Law” poster with the updated “Know Your Rights” poster. Employers should remove the old poster and display the new one within a reasonable amount of time.
Does this version replace the prior poster and the supplement?
Yes.
I printed the updated poster on October 19, 2022. Do I need to print it again?
Yes. The new version of the “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster has replaced and supersedes a version uploaded on 10/19. Please use the version marked “(Revised 10/20/2022)” going forward.
Can I request a printed copy from the EEOC?
No. The EEOC does not provide printed copies of the poster. Employers should download and print the two-page PDF.
Are federal agencies required to display the poster?
Yes, federal agencies are subject to the laws requiring that the poster be displayed and have additional responsibilities to communicate equal employment opportunity policies and procedures to all employees.
How do I make the poster available and accessible for individuals who are blind or visually impaired?
The poster is available as a PDF that has been optimized for screen readers.
Is the poster available in languages other than English?
The poster is available in English and Spanish and will be available in additional languages at a later date.
Where should I place the poster?
Posters should be placed in a conspicuous location in the workplace where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Employers are required by the EEOC to post a notice describing the Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, religion, age (40 and older), equal pay, disability or genetic information (including family medical history or genetic tests or services), and retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that notices of Federal laws prohibiting job discrimination be made available in a location that is accessible to applicants and employees with disabilities that limit mobility. Covered employers are subject to fines for noncompliance.
Discussion Points
- Review your policies and procedures for prevention of discrimination and retaliation. Ensure that the new EEOC poster is placed in a conspicuous location in the workplace where notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted.
- Train staff about their rights to be free of discrimination in the workplace, including preventing retaliation. Teach staff to report any concerns of discrimination to their immediate supervisor, the administrator, human resources, the compliance and ethics officer, or through the facility’s hotline.
- Periodically audit by anonymously polling staff to determine if they may be experiencing discrimination in the workplace, or if they have observed it happening to others. In addition, ensure that all staff are aware of how to report any concerns of discrimination. Also audit to ensure that required posters are displayed correctly both physically and digitally.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, LLC for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
