4 steps to regain control of your bulletin board
When was the last time you reviewed your break room bulletin board? If it’s a clutter of yard-sale announcements and sign-up sheets for the softball team, clean it up!
First and foremost, bulletin boards are there to hold legally required posters. Take these steps to restore order:
- Keep your bulletin board organized, with clearly labeled sections. Depending on your industry, such divisions might include: State and Federal Laws, Emergency Response Procedures, Safety Policies, Personnel Policies and Management Notices.
- Post policy disclaimers, such as those that say the policies do not create an employment contract or alter at-will status.
- Limit bulletin board use to official business only. Prohibit employees from using the company bulletin board. Instead, use a second bulletin board for employees to post notices about yard sales, school fundraisers and so forth. Include a statement on the board that management reserves the right to remove inappropriate notices. Prohibit religious solicitations, sexually suggestive items, racially offensive items and political postings. If you are concerned about union organizing activities, you may wish to ban employee postings of any kind anywhere. The law is unclear on whether you can allow personal postings but ban union-related ones.
- Regularly check both boards. When in doubt about required postings and permissible employee notices, consult your attorney.
