Need help with a labor relations problem at work? Were you denied a promotion or harassed based on age, race, gender, nationality, religion or disability? Are there workplace safety hazards? These are just some of the issues that the government and the courts respond to regularly. You may need to report your concerns to get assistance. First, when an incident occurs remember to write down specifics. Describe what occurred and when the events took place. This could be helpful later on. There will likely be forms to fill out and deadlines to meet if you wish to file a formal complaint.
Here are some ways to proceed with a concern:
- If you feel comfortable enough, talk to your supervisor or human resources representative.
- Talk to your union representative.
- Consult with an attorney who specializes in labor or employment law. Visit this site for some assistance. Find a lawyer who will represent workers, not just employers. If the matter is serious enough, you may want to talk it over with a lawyer before filing any complaints with your employer or outside agencies. The attorney may have ideas how to best proceed.
If you need information about whether to file a complaint with government agencies or departments, here is a list of some of the ones most frequently contacted by employees.
Discrimination
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) handles complaints of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and age. The EEOC can be called at 1-800-669-4000.
State Resources
To find your state’s labor department, search this list
Unfair Labor Practices
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rules on unfair labor practices, whether committed by labor organizations or employers. The NLRB can be called at 1-866-667-NLRB (1-866-667-6572).
Worker Protection, Wages, Overtime
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is responsible for administering and enforcing many labor laws including: the minimum wage, overtime, and child labor provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA); worker protections provided in several temporary visa programs; and the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA) and the Service Contract Act (SCA). The WHD can be called at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243).
Workplace Safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) enforces employee safety and health at the workplace. To report accidents, unsafe working conditions, or safety and health violations contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA(6742).
