Editor’s note: This
blog was originally posted in April 2015, however we thought it important to
repost as we’ve had several members reach out to us after receiving calls
and/or mailings from companies wanting them to purchase this signage that they can get for free.
Get what you need…but don’t get scammed!
Ever get a phone call from a company trying to sell you
workplace posters? Hold on…it might be a
scam. “Required postings” scams have
exploded in number over the last few years and have been reported by cities and
other employers from coast to coast. One
sign it’s a scam is if the person on the other end tells you that there have
been changes to regulations and that “you must purchase the latest OSHA posters”
or else you’ll be “out of compliance.”
Often these scammers will attempt to sound like they represent a
government agency. They may send
“official looking” announcements or even threatening notices warning of fines
or penalties if you don’t purchase the “updated” postings. This couldn’t be further from the truth. These companies don’t represent OSHA or any
other government agency. They are
private businesses, trying to make a quick buck through misrepresentation and
deceit.
The fact is Minnesota law does require employers to post state-mandated
posters; however, these posters are available for FREE from the Minnesota
Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).
Although there have been some design changes to the State’s posters, the
regulations described in the posters have not changed, so employers do not need
to replace their current poster set. You
do not have to pay anything to be in compliance with Minnesota’s required
postings. These required postings include Safety and Health on the job, Minimum
Wage, Age Discrimination, Unemployment, and Workers’ Compensation, and must be
posted in a conspicuous location in the workplace (Note: in addition to the state posting
requirements, some U.S. Government agencies require postings, such as the Equal
Opportunity Employment Commission).
You can request your FREE posters (available in English,
Spanish, Hmong, and Somali) by phone, email, snail mail, or electronically via
DLI’s website by visiting the web address below. You can even print your posters directly from
DLI’s website. From the printer to the
bulletin board! For more information
visit: Order free, mandatory workplace
posters online.
So if you receive a call or letter and suspect a scam, get a
name and address, do some fact-checking, and then, if necessary report the
incident to your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better
Business Bureau (BBB). That way, we’ll
all be doing our part to “keep ‘em honest.”
No comments:
Post a Comment