District of Columbia Worker Rights
Washington, D.C. has one of the highest minimum wages in the country, paid sick and family leave, and strong wage theft laws. Federal OSHA covers private workplaces.
- District of Columbia
Pay
- Minimum wage: among the highest in the nation, adjusted every July 1.
- Overtime: 1.5x over 40 hours a week.
- Final pay: by the next business day if you’re fired; by the next payday or within 7 days if you quit, whichever is sooner.
- Wage Theft Prevention Amendment Act: written pay notices, penalties, and liability for some contractors on unpaid wages of subcontractors’ workers.
Breaks and leave
- Paid sick and safe leave: required, with the amount depending on employer size.
- DC Paid Family Leave: a district program that pays partial wages for family and medical leave.
Unions and right-to-work
District of Columbia is not a right-to-work state, so a union contract can require covered workers to pay at least a fee for representation. Private-sector workers have the right to organize under federal law. See Your Right to Organize.
Where to file
- Unpaid wages and overtime: D.C. Department of Employment Services, Office of Wage-Hour Compliance.
- Discrimination and harassment: D.C. Office of Human Rights, or the U.S. EEOC.
- Safety: Federal OSHA covers private employers. See Federal OSHA States.
- Work injuries: report the injury to your employer right away, in writing, and follow up with District of Columbia’s workers’ compensation agency. See Workers’ Compensation.
Check current rules: this is a summary. Wage rates and labor laws change often, usually on January 1 or July 1, and cities and counties can add their own rules. Confirm details with the D.C. Department of Employment Services before acting. Federal protections apply too. See Where to Get Help.
Standards & references
Last updated: