| Filing a Workplace Rights Complaint | in Spanish |  |
 |
 |
 |
|||||
|
|||||||
 |
 |
||||||
How to file a workplace rights complaint
If a worker believes her/his rights have been denied by such things as not receiving regular pay, overtime pay, rest and meal breaks, or not being allowed to use paid sick leave to care for a sick family member, s/he can:
- Download and complete a Worker Rights Complaint (F700-027-000) form or visit or call the nearest L&I Office to obtain an copy. Instructions on how to fill out the form are included with the form.
-
Your name remains confidential during an investigation unless the complaint is so specific that you are the only individual affected. Public Disclosure laws allow for others to gain access to the file once the investigation is closed.
- Mail or take the form to the L&I office nearest to the workplace.
Questions and answers
- What happens
after a worker files a Worker Rights Complaint?
The wage or other workplace rights complaint will be reviewed by L&I staff for completeness and to make sure that L&I has jurisdiction. The worker may be asked to provide additional information and/or evidence to support the complaint. L&I cannot guarantee collection. L&I will investigate most types of complaints filed by workers. Specific to wage complaints, L&I will work with the business and the worker to resolve the wage complaint. If unsuccessful, L&I will ask the business to pay the wages by issuing a citation. L&I may determine that the employer does not owe wages. Either the business or the worker can appeal either of these L&I decisions through an administrative process.
- Can a worker
who has filed a complaint prevent the business from getting his or her
name?
It depends on the type of problem. Generally L&I cannot keep a complaint confidential. A worker should contact L&I before sending the complaint if s/he is worried about having their name revealed to a business. Call the nearest L&I office.
- Can a worker
who has quit still file a complaint?
Yes, in most cases. S/he should call the nearest L&I office for help about the particular problem.
Protection from discrimination
It is against the law for a business to fire or otherwise discriminate against a worker for filing a complaint about a possible violation of their workplace rights. Generally, the worker must seek assistance from a private attorney to address this further.
