Disclaimer: This information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Labor laws change frequently—verify current requirements with official government sources before making compliance decisions. Consult with qualified legal counsel for specific compliance questions. Use of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Tennessee Labor Law Poster Requirements (2026)
Tennessee employers must display 9 or more labor law posters covering federal and state requirements. As a state with its own OSHA plan (TOSHA), Tennessee has specific safety posting requirements that differ from federal standards. The state also has unique characteristics—including no state minimum wage and an optional (not required) human trafficking poster.
This guide covers every federal and Tennessee state poster requirement for 2026, including TOSHA safety postings, the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act (E-Verify), workers' compensation requirements for employers with 5+ employees, and recent 2024 poster updates.
Quick Compliance Check: Not sure if your Tennessee labor law posters are current? Check your compliance status free.
2026 Tennessee Poster Updates
Tennessee employers should note these recent changes affecting workplace postings:
Wage Regulation/Child Labor Poster
Updated May 2024
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released a revised Wage Regulation and Child Labor poster with updated content and reformatted layout. Employers should replace older versions with the current design.
Unemployment Insurance Poster
Updated September 2024
The Tennessee Unemployment Insurance poster received updates reflecting current benefit information and filing procedures. Available from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
E-Verify Expansion
Effective January 2023
The Tennessee Lawful Employment Act expanded E-Verify requirements to private employers with 35 or more employees—down from the previous 50-employee threshold.
Tennessee Minimum Wage (No State Rate)
Tennessee is one of five states with no state minimum wage law:
| Rate Type | Amount | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Minimum (applies) | $7.25/hr | All FLSA-covered employers |
| Tennessee State Minimum | None | No state minimum wage exists |
| Tipped Minimum | $2.13/hr | Plus tips must equal $7.25/hr |
Why Federal Law Applies
Unlike states such as Georgia or Wyoming that have lower state minimums preempted by federal law, Tennessee simply has no state minimum wage statute. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage of $7.25/hr applies to virtually all Tennessee employers.
No Local Minimum Wage Variations
Tennessee law prohibits cities and counties from establishing their own minimum wage rates. This means Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and all other Tennessee localities follow federal wage rules—simplifying compliance for multi-location employers within the state.
Required Federal Posters in Tennessee
All Tennessee employers must display these federal posters:
1. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Who Must Post: All employers
- Content: Federal minimum wage ($7.25), overtime, child labor, nursing mothers (PUMP Act)
- Updates: Last updated May 2023 with PUMP Act nursing provisions
- Penalty: Up to $2,515 per willful violation
2. OSHA Job Safety and Health
- Who Must Post: Private sector employers use TOSHA poster (see state section)
- Content: Employee rights, employer responsibilities, how to file safety complaints
- Note: Tennessee operates its own state OSHA plan, so TOSHA poster is required instead of federal OSHA
3. FMLA Notice
- Who Must Post: Employers with 50+ employees
- Content: Employee leave rights, eligibility, how to request leave
- Updates: Periodic revisions
- Penalty: Up to $216 per willful violation
4. EEOC "Know Your Rights"
- Who Must Post: Employers with 15+ employees
- Content: Protection against discrimination (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information)
- Updates: Replaced "EEO is the Law" poster in October 2022
- Penalty: $680 per offense
5. Employee Polygraph Protection Act
- Who Must Post: All employers
- Content: Rights regarding lie detector tests
- Updates: Rarely changes
- Penalty: Up to $26,262 per violation
6. USERRA (Military Service)
- Who Must Post: All employers
- Content: Reemployment rights for uniformed service members
- Updates: Rarely changes
- Penalty: No specific posting penalty, but subject to enforcement
Required Tennessee State Posters
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDOL) requires employers to post the following notices:
1. TOSHA Job Safety and Health Poster
- Who Must Post: All private employers and state/local government employers
- Content: Employee rights under Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Act, how to file complaints
- Why Different: Tennessee operates its own state OSHA plan covering all private sector employees
- Source: TOSHA
- Penalty: Up to $16,550 per violation (mirrors federal OSHA)
2. Wage Regulation/Child Labor Poster
- Who Must Post: All employers
- Content: Wage payment requirements, child labor restrictions, work hour limitations for minors
- Updates: Revised May 2024
- Requirements: Employment certificates required for minors under 18
- Penalty: $1,000-$10,000 per violation; repeat violations can be Class D felony
3. Discrimination in Employment Poster
- Who Must Post: Employers with 8+ employees
- Content: Tennessee Human Rights Act protections against discrimination
- Coverage: Race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability
- Source: Tennessee Human Rights Commission
4. Unemployment Insurance Poster
- Who Must Post: All employers with employees
- Content: Employee rights to unemployment benefits, how to file claims
- Updates: Revised September 2024
- Source: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Workers' Compensation Poster
Tennessee employers with 5 or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance and post required notices.
Posting Requirements
- Who Must Post: Employers with 5+ employees (full or part-time)
- Content: Notice of workers' compensation coverage, employee rights, claim procedures
- Source: Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation
Coverage Exceptions
Certain employers may be exempt from workers' compensation requirements:
- Employers with fewer than 5 employees
- Some agricultural operations
- Certain domestic employers
- Railroad employees covered by federal law
Employers should verify their specific obligations with the Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
E-Verify Requirements (Tennessee Lawful Employment Act)
Under the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act, employers must verify employment eligibility through E-Verify or alternative methods based on company size.
Who Must Use E-Verify
| Employer Size | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 35+ employees | Must use E-Verify for all new hires |
| 6-34 employees | May use E-Verify OR complete attestation on Form I-9 |
| 5 or fewer employees | Limited requirements; attestation acceptable |
Website Posting Requirements
Private employers using E-Verify should maintain records of their E-Verify participation. While Tennessee does not require website posting of E-Verify numbers like Georgia does, employers must be prepared to demonstrate compliance during audits.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violations of the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act can result in:
- Civil penalties
- Loss of business licenses
- Debarment from state contracts
Human Trafficking Poster (Optional)
Unlike many states that mandate human trafficking postings for certain industries, Tennessee does not require employers to post human trafficking notices.
Voluntary Posting
The Tennessee Human Trafficking Resource Center provides free posters for employers who wish to display them voluntarily. Industries that commonly choose to post include:
- Hotels and hospitality
- Transportation hubs
- Truck stops
- Bars and restaurants
Available Resources
Employers interested in voluntary posting can obtain materials from:
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Tennessee Human Trafficking Task Force
Remote Worker Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee has NOT enacted specific electronic posting requirements for remote workers. However, employers with distributed teams should follow federal guidance and best practices.
Federal DOL Framework
The U.S. Department of Labor suggests electronic distribution may be acceptable when:
- All employees work exclusively in remote environments
- Digital communication is the primary method for sharing workplace information
- Employees can access electronic notices without restrictions
Best Practices for Tennessee Remote Employers
- Email distribution: Send all required posters directly to remote employees
- Intranet posting: Create a dedicated "Tennessee Employment Notices" section
- Acknowledgment tracking: Document that employees received and accessed posters
- Annual reminders: Notify remote workers when posters are updated
WorkforceVault's remote worker compliance tools provide digital distribution with timestamped acknowledgments—giving you proof of compliance even without Tennessee-specific rules.
For complete guidance, see our remote employee poster compliance guide.
Tennessee Poster Violation Penalties
Failure to post required notices can result in significant penalties:
| Violation Type | Penalty Amount |
|---|---|
| TOSHA violations | Up to $16,550 per violation |
| TOSHA willful violations | Up to $165,514 per violation |
| Child labor violations | $1,000 - $10,000 per violation |
| Repeat child labor violations | Class D felony |
| Federal FLSA willful violations | Up to $2,515 per violation |
| Federal OSHA violations | Up to $16,550 per violation |
| EEOC violations | $680 per offense |
Tennessee's TOSHA penalties mirror federal OSHA penalty structures. Cumulative federal penalties can reach $40,000 or more depending on the number of missing posters and violation severity.
Learn more about labor law poster penalties.
2026 Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to verify your Tennessee compliance:
Federal Posters
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- FMLA Notice (50+ employees)
- EEOC "Know Your Rights" (15+ employees)
- Employee Polygraph Protection Act
- USERRA Military Service
Tennessee State Posters (TDOL)
- TOSHA Job Safety and Health (replaces federal OSHA)
- Wage Regulation/Child Labor (May 2024 version)
- Discrimination in Employment (8+ employees)
- Unemployment Insurance (September 2024 version)
Workers' Compensation (5+ employees)
- Workers' Compensation Notice posted
- Coverage verified with Bureau of Workers' Compensation
E-Verify Compliance
- E-Verify enrolled (35+ employees required)
- Form I-9 attestation completed (6-34 employees alternative)
- Records maintained for potential audits
Remote Workers
- Electronic posters accessible via email or intranet
- Acknowledgment records maintained
- Annual update notifications sent
2026 Update Calendar
Key dates for Tennessee employers:
| Date | Required Action |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | Verify all federal posters current |
| May 2024 | Wage Regulation/Child Labor poster updated (replace if outdated) |
| September 2024 | Unemployment Insurance poster updated (replace if outdated) |
| Ongoing | Monitor TDOL website for poster revisions |
WorkforceVault's AI-powered monitoring tracks Tennessee poster changes and notifies you when updates may be needed.
How WorkforceVault Helps
Tennessee compliance is straightforward compared to states with extensive local requirements, but tracking TOSHA requirements, E-Verify obligations, and poster updates still takes time. WorkforceVault simplifies it:
Complete Tennessee Coverage
All required federal and Tennessee state posters included—with TOSHA poster instead of federal OSHA. Updated automatically when TDOL issues new requirements.
E-Verify Tracking
Track your E-Verify compliance status and maintain documentation showing your organization meets Tennessee Lawful Employment Act requirements.
Remote Worker Solution
Digital distribution with acknowledgment tracking for Tennessee remote employees—providing compliance documentation even without Tennessee-specific electronic posting rules.
Audit-Ready Documentation
Generate complete compliance reports showing poster versions, employee acknowledgments, and update history for Tennessee inspections.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee requires 9+ labor law posters covering federal and state requirements
- No state minimum wage—federal $7.25/hr applies to all FLSA-covered employers
- TOSHA replaces federal OSHA poster—Tennessee operates its own state safety plan
- E-Verify required for 35+ employees under Tennessee Lawful Employment Act
- Workers' compensation required for employers with 5+ employees
- Human trafficking poster is OPTIONAL—not required unlike many states
- Recent updates: Wage Regulation (May 2024), Unemployment Insurance (September 2024)
- Penalties can exceed $165,000 for willful TOSHA violations
Tennessee's unified wage structure and lack of local posting variations make compliance simpler than many states. Start your free trial and see your Tennessee compliance status in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many labor law posters does Tennessee require?
Tennessee requires at least 9 labor law posters when combining federal and state requirements. Employers with 5+ employees need workers' compensation postings. Employers with 8+ employees must post the Discrimination in Employment notice. Unlike federal OSHA, Tennessee requires the TOSHA safety poster.
What is Tennessee's minimum wage in 2026?
Tennessee has no state minimum wage law. The federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr applies to all FLSA-covered employers in Tennessee. State law also prohibits cities and counties from establishing local minimum wage rates.
Do remote employees need Tennessee labor law posters?
Tennessee has not enacted specific electronic posting requirements. However, employers should follow federal DOL guidance by providing remote workers access to all required posters electronically via email or company intranet. WorkforceVault provides digital distribution with acknowledgment tracking.
What are the penalties for missing Tennessee labor law posters?
TOSHA violations can reach $16,550 per violation or $165,514 for willful violations. Child labor violations range from $1,000-$10,000 per violation and can be Class D felonies for repeat offenses. Federal poster violations add additional penalties. Cumulative penalties can exceed $40,000.
Is the human trafficking poster required in Tennessee?
No. Unlike many states that mandate human trafficking postings for hotels, bars, and other businesses, Tennessee does not require employers to post human trafficking notices. Voluntary posting resources are available from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
What is E-Verify and do I need it in Tennessee?
E-Verify is a federal system that verifies employment eligibility. Under the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act, employers with 35+ employees must use E-Verify for all new hires. Employers with 6-34 employees may use E-Verify or complete an attestation on Form I-9 instead.
Last Updated: January 2026
This guide provides general information about Tennessee posting requirements. Consult with legal counsel for specific compliance questions.