Where to Get Help & File a Complaint
Different agencies handle different problems. Filing a complaint with a government agency is free, and you don’t need a lawyer.
- All workers
Which agency?
| Problem | Federal agency | Deadline (general) |
|---|---|---|
| Unsafe conditions | OSHA (or your state plan): 1-800-321-6742 | File anytime; hazards should be current |
| Punished for a safety complaint or injury report | OSHA Whistleblower Protection | 30 days |
| Unpaid wages, overtime, prevailing wage | DOL Wage and Hour Division: 1-866-487-9243 | 2 years (3 if willful) to recover wages |
| Punished for organizing or acting with coworkers | National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) | 6 months |
| Discrimination or harassment | EEOC: 1-800-669-4000 | 180 days (300 in many states) |
| Work injury benefits | Your state workers’ comp agency | Varies by state; report the injury right away |
| Unemployment benefits | Your state workforce agency | File as soon as work ends |
Most states also have their own labor department and human rights agency, and some have stronger laws and longer deadlines. Find yours on the DOL’s state labor office list.
Other places to get help
- Your union business agent or steward
- Worker centers, which often help day laborers and immigrant workers with wage claims and safety
- Legal aid organizations and law school clinics (free for eligible workers)
- Employment lawyers; many take wage and discrimination cases with no upfront fee
- COSH groups (Committees on Occupational Safety and Health) for safety help and training
Before you file, gather: your employer’s name and address, jobsite addresses, your dates of work, pay stubs, your own hour records, photos, texts, and names of witnesses.
Standards & references
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