Federal Contractor Posting and Compliance Requirements

Q: Who qualifies as a federal contractor?

Q: Are federal subcontractors exempt from these requirements?

Q: What are the stakes for not complying with posting requirements for federal contractors?

Q: What posters are required for every new or long-term federal contractor?

Q: Is there a simple solution for posting compliance for a federal contractor?

Q: Are there special posting requirements for some situations?

Q: Are there other posters that may be required for federal contractors?

Q: Can we display federal contractor posters at just one location, such as our corporate office?

Q: Are there other compliance requirements for federal contractors?

Q: How will we know when one of the federal contractor posting requirements changes?

Q: Where can I learn more?

Posting and compliance requirements for federal contractors are extensive and can be confusing. That’s because federal contractors must meet many of the same standards as federal government agencies, in addition to all the state and federal requirements for private companies. Fortunately there are simple solutions to poster requirements and resources for more complex aspects of compliance.

Q: Who qualifies as a federal contractor?

A. Many different types of companies are covered under these requirements including a company that performs $10,000 or more total on one or more federal contracts in a 12-month period, and a company that holds a federal contract for $10,000 or more. Companies with a federally assisted construction contract exceeding $10,000 are also federal contractors, as are some other types of companies. Even small companies that do business with the federal government are likely to be classified as federal contractors or federal subcontractors.

Q: Are federal subcontractors exempt from these requirements?

A: No. Federal subcontractors must meet the same posting and compliance regulations as the federal contractor. That means if your company is performing work under a federal contract held by another firm, you may very well be a federal subcontractor.

Q: What are the stakes for not complying with posting requirements for federal contractors?

A: The stakes are high for a federal contractor or subcontractor – even higher than for most companies. Failure to comply with posting standards could result in loss of a federal contract generating thousands of dollars in revenue, as well as the usual fines and penalties that all companies face.

Q: What posters are required for every new or long-term federal contractor?

A: US regulations require that all federal contractors display 11 labor law posters. Many are the same as required for any company, but some are unique to federal contractors.

Posters required for federal contractors and subcontractors:

  • Job Safety and Health Protection
  • Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) also called the Minimum Wage poster
  • Family Medical Leave Act
  • Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
  • Davis-Bacon Act
  • Service Contract Act
  • Displaced Employee Rights on Successor Contracts
  • Employee Polygraph Protection Act
  • Notification of Employee Rights Under Federal Labor Law
  • E-Verify Participation Poster

Q: Is there a simple solution for posting compliance for a federal contractor?

A: Yes! The convenient Federal Contractor poster, combined with a Complete State, Federal and OSHA labor law poster, meets all these requirements. Purchasing and displaying just a few posters is a simple, cost-effective solution.

Q: Are there special posting requirements for special situations like telecommuters or employees whose first language is not English?

A. Yes. When an employee works from home, the federal contractor should provide both both state and federal posters electronically.. Some employers are required to display posters in an additional language, when a significant number of employees speak a first language other than English. An employer may be required to display Braille posters when one or more workers are sight impaired.

Q: Are there other posters that may be required for federal contractors?

A: Yes. Because every federal contract is different, some will include additional posting requirements related to that project. This website has an excellent reference for additional compliance items.

Q: Can we display federal contractor posters at just one location, such as our corporate office?

A: No. Posters must be displayed at every building where employees work on a federal contract, preferably in highly visible areas such as near the time clock or in an employee break room. Large buildings with workers scattered across a wide area will need multiple postings to ensure that every employee is exposed to them. The employee handbook should also refer employees to the labor law posters as an up-to-date resource.

Q: Are there other compliance requirements for federal contractors?

A: Yes, there are a number of other compliance requirements for federal contractors. They are listed below. Click on the program name for more information and resources.

Q: How will we know when one of the federal contractor posting requirements changes?

A: Subscribe to our email newsletter or check your posters for updates here.

Q: Where can I learn more?

A: The Federal Office of Contract Compliance Programs or OFCCP, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or EEOC and the US Department of Labor have more information.