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How to file a complaint against an employer / workplace

Unpaid wages or overtime, discrimination or harassment, or unsafe conditions. Here is exactly which regulator has jurisdiction, where to file, and what to say.

The right regulator(s), in order

federal

DOL — Wage & Hour Division

Confidential. Covers minimum wage, overtime, and illegal deductions for most private employers.
Open the complaint portal →
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
  • Your job title, pay rate, and how you were paid
  • The hours you worked vs. what you were paid
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • Pay stubs and any time records
state

Your State Labor / Wage Agency

Your STATE labor / wage agency often recovers unpaid wages faster than the federal DOL and may cover state-specific rules (meal breaks, final-paycheck deadlines, higher state minimum wage).
Open the complaint portal →
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)
  • The specific outcome you are asking for
  • Any prior attempts you made to resolve it directly
Owed a final paycheck or a specific sum? Small-claims court is often the fastest recovery. Open →

What to include in your complaint

Draft my complaint now →

FAQ

Does filing a complaint get me my money back?
A regulator complaint pressures the company to fix it and creates an enforcement record, but it does not award you damages. For a specific dollar amount, small-claims court is usually faster. For injury or large losses, talk to an attorney.
Will they know I complained?
Most consumer complaints are shared with the company so it can respond. Some (e.g., OSHA, wage) let you stay confidential — we note that on each agency.
How long does it take?
Many agencies require the company to respond within 15–60 days. Keep your case number and the dates.
Complaint-routing & drafting information — not legal advice or representation. This is a self-help tool that points you to the regulator with jurisdiction and drafts a complaint for you to review and file. It is not a law firm, and using it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Which agency applies can depend on facts we don't see (the company's charter, your state, the exact conduct). Government portal links — especially state-level ones — can change; we show the official directory as a fallback and the date each was checked (2026-06-25). Some situations are legal claims for money or injury, not regulator complaints — we flag those and you should consult a licensed attorney in your state.