Aggressive Marketing Tactics are Frustrating Montana’s Small Businesses

The Department of Labor and Industry is hearing from small businesses who are tired of the aggressive marketing tactics of some companies who print labor law posters. Earlier this year the Department sent out a reminder to businesses informing them that labor law posters required by Federal law are available at no cost. "We are getting reports from several Montana businesses that some of these companies are now sending posters and demanding payment, despite the fact that the business didn’t order them", said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly. "We want to remind businesses if you get something in the mail you didn’t order you are not obligated in any way to pay for it. You can write did not order, return to sender on the envelope and send it back to the company."

The Five in One posters which are available at no cost from the Department’s Job Service Division encompass Equal Employment Opportunity, Family and Medical Leave Act with Military Family Leave (employers with 50 or more employees), Federal Minimum Wage (Fair Labor Standards Act), and the Polygraph Protection Act. Federal regulations also require posting the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). All posters are available at the Job Service offices.

Posters also required by Montana State Law include: Proof of Unemployment Insurance coverage (provided by the Department of Labor and Industry, Unemployment Insurance Contributions Bureau) and Proof of Workers’ Compensation coverage, provided by Workers’ Compensation Insurance carrier. Employers are not required to post the State minimum wage.

Businesses who have returned the posters and are still getting invoices from the poster company can contact the Office of Consumer Protection at 1-800-481-6896 or
(406)444-4500.

Businesses who would like to request a copy of the Federal Five in One poster can call 406-444-4100. For more information log onto http://wsd.dli.mt.gov/service/officelist.asp

#####

Casey Kyler-West
Communications Director
Department of Labor & Industry
444-1520
[email protected]