I want to . . .
- Find the local office closest to me
- Get pre-recorded information on my rights as an employee
- Frequently asked questions
- Attend a training
- File a wage claim
- File a retaliation or discrimination claim
- File a public works complaint
- File a BOFE claim
- Check new laws
- Check proposed regulations
- Research the DLSE Enforcement Manual
- Research the Labor Code
- Find an Opinion Letter
- Find a form or publication
- Obtain a license or registration
- Verify a license or registration
- Obtain a child entertainment work permit
- Find a Wage Order
- Get a copy of the Minimum Wage Order
Links
- Industrial Welfare Commission
- California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
- Contractors State License Board
- Dept. of Fair Employment & Housing
- Economic & Employment Enforcement Coalition
- Employment Development Dept.
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- National Labor Relations Board
- Secretary of State—Business Search
- U.S. Dept. of Labor
Retaliation Complaint Unit
Investigates complaints alleging discriminatory retaliation in the workplace on the basis of various Labor Code sections.
Employees
As an employee in the State of California, you have the right to speak to representatives of the office of the California Labor Commissioner or any other government or law enforcement agency about any issues affecting your working conditions. Your employer cannot fire, demote, suspend or discipline you for answering any questions or providing any information to a government agency.
- How to file a retaliation/discrimination complaint
- Retaliation and discrimination complaints - A summary of procedures (English) (7/2008) (
Pdf / 
Doc) - Retaliation and discrimination complaints - A summary of procedures (Spanish) (7/2008) (Pdf / Doc)
- Retaliation and discrimination complaints - A summary of procedures (Chinese) (7/2008)
(Pdf / Doc)
- Retaliation and discrimination complaints - A summary of procedures (Korean) (7/2008)
(Pdf / Doc)
- Assurances of participation without retaliation
- Aseguramiento de participacion sin represalias
- Assurances of Participation Without Retaliation - Korean
Employers
It is illegal in the State of California to retaliate against any employee who provides information to a government or law enforcement agency where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation or noncompliance with a state or federal statute, rule, or regulation. You cannot discharge, demote, suspend or discipline in any manner an employee who engages in this protected activity.
California Labor Code section 1102.5 states in subsections (a) (b) (c) and (d):
1102.5. (a) An employer may not make, adopt, or enforce any rule, regulation, or policy preventing an employee from disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of state or federal statute, or a violation or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation.
(b) An employer may not retaliate against an employee for disclosing information to a government or law enforcement agency, where the employee has reasonable cause to believe that the information discloses a violation of state or federal statute, or a violation or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation.
(c) An employer may not retaliate against an employee for refusing to participate in an activity that would result in a violation of state or federal statute, or a violation or noncompliance with a state or federal rule or regulation.
(d) An employer may not retaliate against an employee for having exercised his or her rights under subdivision (a), (b), or (c) in any former employment.
Laws prohibiting retaliation & discrimination
