On October 20, 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released an updated version of its mandatory workplace poster that informs employees of their rights and protections.
Employers must post this new version of the poster in their office spaces as soon as practicable.
The latest “Know Your Rights” flyer, which replaces the previous “EEO is Law” poster, must be displayed in all workplaces covered by the agency’s jurisdiction. This includes private sector businesses with 15 or more employees, as well as state and local government agencies, educational institutions, unions, and staffing agencies.
What’s Changed?
The new poster includes several updates from the older version. Some of the main changes are:
- Clarification that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity;
- Identifies harassment as a prohibited form of discrimination;
- Provides information about equal pay discrimination for federal contractors; and
- Uses more straightforward language and formatting.
The poster also includes a QR code for employees with a smartphone or other compatible devices to quickly access the EEOC’s website on how to file a charge of employment discrimination.
What’s Remained the Same?
While the poster has been updated, some of the information included remains the same. The bulletin still outlines the types of discrimination that are prohibited by federal law, such as:
- Race, color, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, religion,
- Age (40 and older),
- Equal pay,
- Disability,
- Genetic information (including family medical history or genetic tests or services), and includes
- Retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding.
Actions Employers Should Take
Employers who fail to post the new Know Your Rights poster could face noncompliance penalties from the EEOC. Therefore, businesses must take the time to update their posters as soon as possible.
On October 25, 2022, the EEOC distributed an FAQ stating that employers should remove the old poster and display the new one “within a reasonable amount of time” but did not provide a specific deadline.
The agency recommends that employers post the new flyer in a conspicuous place where employees will see it, such as in a break room or near the time clock. Covered employers should also consider posting an online notice on their website for remote or hybrid workers.
