COLUMBUS, Ohio — Farmers and farming operations are required to comply with regulations regarding labor posters if any employees are hired throughout the year, even if for only one hour.
Dee Jepsen, Ag Safety and Health Program Director for Ohio State University Extension, said the clarification comes amid inquiries from farmers and agricultural operations regarding whether or not U.S. Department of Labor posters are mandatory.
"We have reviewed the federal and state regulations and found this is a labor regulation, and that farmers need to be in compliance," said Jepsen. "There are no exemptions for agricultural operations. The poster requirements apply to all employers in the state of Ohio."
According to the labor department, the following three posters are mandatory: State of Ohio Minimum Wage, Unemployment Compensation Coverage and Ohio Fair Employment Practices Law. If minors are hired, then the Ohio Minor Labor Law poster is also required. Other posters are required for such employment as large labor forces (more than 500 man days per year, with days as defined as any time an employee works for one hour), migrant workers, and/or contracts with the federal government.
Information can be obtained by logging on to the labor department Web site at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/posters.htm. To obtain any of the required posters, contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Bureau of Civil Rights at (614) 644-2703.
An informational flyer about DOL posters is available at any county office of OSU Extension. For additional questions or inquiries, contact Tim Butcher at (614) 292-0677, or e-mail butcher.13@osu.edu.