1. Department of Industrial Relations

Frequently Asked Questions for Workers in California

If you are or were employed in California, you have labor rights. California's labor laws apply equally to all workers, regardless of citizenship and immigration status.

Learn about rights for all workers, including immigrant workers:

  • Ask your employer about your rights regarding pay, breaks and working conditions. Your employer is legally required to pay you all the wages you are owed.
  • Your employer must take steps to protect you from unsafe working conditions. You have the right to file a complaint about unsafe working conditions.
  • Your employer must have an insurance policy that covers medical care and disability payments for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Contact Us

Labor Laws Workplace Safety Work Injury/Illness
833-526-4636
DLSE2@dir.ca.gov		 833-579-0927
DOSHEnforcement@dir.ca.gov		 800-736-7401
dwc@dir.ca.gov

For calls from outside the United States, enter 001 followed by the ten-digit phone number. Example: 001-833-526-4636.

Wages, Retaliation and Other Labor Laws

  1. What are my rights as a worker in California?

    In California, labor laws apply equally to all workers, regardless of immigration status. It's illegal for employers to use your immigration status to retaliate against you.

    If you choose to exercise your labor rights, it is illegal for your employer to retaliate against you. Retaliation may include actions such as firing you, reducing your work hours, or threatening to report you to immigration authorities.

    Read more about your labor rights

    Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower explains labor rights for all workers:
  2. What is retaliation and how am I protected?

    Retaliation occurs when an employer disciplines or takes negative action against a worker because they exercised a right provided by law. Examples of discipline or adverse actions include reduced work hours, suspension, or termination. There are more than 50 laws that protect workers against retaliation. For more information, view the laws that prohibit workplace retaliation.

    If you believe you have experienced retaliation, please contact our office today. It is important to document details about the incident, including the date, time, location, and the names of those involved, along with a summary of what happened.

  3. What are the workplace protections related to immigration status?

    Under California law, immigration-related threats in retaliation for exercising a right are unlawful.

    Employers cannot:

    • Refuse to honor documents that appear genuine.
    • Use E-Verify in a way not required by law.
    • Threaten to call immigration authorities.
    • Report you or your family's perceived immigration status or engage in any other unfair immigration related practice in retaliation for exercising your rights.

    The law prohibits employers from giving voluntary consent for immigration authorities to enter non-public areas of the workplace.

    Additionally, the law requires employers to inform employees and their authorized representatives within 72 hours of receiving notice of an immigration inspection. Upon reasonable request, an employer must also provide any affected employee with a copy of the Notice of Inspection from the immigration agency.

    For more information about the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (AB450), read the Frequently Asked Questions from the Labor Commissioner's Office.

  4. Can an employer report or threaten to report a worker because of immigration status?

    No. The law prohibits employers from reporting or threatening to report a current, former or potential employee's suspected citizenship or immigration status, as well as the suspected status of a family member, because the employee exercised a right under the Labor Code.

  5. What should I do if I am not paid properly?

    If you are not paid properly, contact our office immediately. Collect all relevant information about your employer and the work you performed. This information may include:

    • Complete contact details for your employer and the individuals responsible for paying you, providing work orders, and hiring or firing you. Keep a written list of the addresses where you worked with the dates and times you worked.
    • Copies of your wage payments.
    • A list of individuals who can verify your work and the hours you worked.

    You can request unpaid wages and penalties in your claim. A Labor Commissioner's Office deputy can help you understand your rights and complete your claim.

    Don't wait until you realize you experienced wage theft to collect the above mentioned information. It is always best to practice these habits every day in any job.

  6. Can I file a claim from outside of California?

    Yes, you are able to file a wage claim or retaliation complaint with the Labor Commissioner's Office even if you are no longer living in California or the United States. We can help you over the phone or online.

  7. How can I call the Labor Commissioner's Office outside the United States?

    If you are calling from another country, enter 001 and then our ten-digit phone number. To contact our Call Center, dial 001-833-526-4636. We can assist you in multiple languages.

  8. If I contact the Labor Commissioner's Office or file a claim, will I be asked about my immigration status?

    No, the Labor Commissioner's Office does not ask about your immigration status.

Workplace Safety and Health

Cal/OSHA inspectors do not ask about your immigration status. You can reach out to Cal/OSHA to file a complaint about an unsafe workplace if you think your employer is not following the law to keep you safe at work.

  1. What are workplace safety and health rights for workers?

    In California, employers must follow workplace safety rules and regulations to protect workers from injuries and illnesses. Among other requirements, employers must have a written plan on how to prevent injuries at every workplace and train workers on the plan in a language you understand.

    All workers have a right to a safe workplace regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Cal/OSHA will not ask about a worker's immigration status.

  2. When should workers report hazards to Cal/OSHA? Can it be anonymous?

    Cal/OSHA is the agency responsible for enforcing workplace health and safety for all workers, regardless of immigration status. If your employer does not resolve a workplace hazard, you can report the problem to Cal/OSHA. You don't have to give your name, but if you do, it will remain confidential.

  3. Will Cal/OSHA send an inspector to a worksite when a worker calls?

    Cal/OSHA is authorized to conduct workplace inspections to enforce occupational safety and health standards. Every workplace covered by Cal/OSHA may be subject to inspection by Cal/OSHA staff.

  4. How do workers file a complaint with Cal/OSHA?

    Call Cal/OSHA at 833-579-0927 for more information on how to report a problem to Cal/OSHA, or visit How to file a complaint with Cal/OSHA.

  5. Can workers file a complaint and participate in the inspection if they have to leave California or the United States?

    Yes, Cal/OSHA can assist workers over the phone and email with filing a complaint and participating in an inspection.

  6. What if a worker filed a complaint in California but is no longer living in California?

    If a worker already filed a complaint before leaving California or the United States, the inspection results will be mailed to the address shared with Cal/OSHA when filing the complaint. If a complaint was filed anonymously, Cal/OSHA will not be able to mail the results.

  7. How can workers call Cal/OSHA outside the United States?

    If you are calling from another country, enter 001 and then Cal/OSHA's phone ten-digit number. To call our Call Center, dial 001-833-579-0927.

Work-related Injury or Illness

The Division of Workers' Compensation provides free information on benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses. If you think an injury or illness is related to your work, get medical treatment and let your employer know you need to file a Workers' Compensation Claim. Workers' compensation benefits are for all workers employed in California, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.

  1. Who is eligible for workers' compensation benefits in California?

    All workers employed in California, regardless of their immigration status, are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer a work-related injury or illness that requires medical treatment or time off work.

  2. What benefits can an injured worker receive under workers' compensation?

    Workers' compensation provides five basic benefits:

  3. What should a worker do if they realize they have an injury or developed an illness as a result of their work in California but they are no longer living in California?

    Regardless of where you are, you should report the injury to your employer by notifying your supervisor right away. If your injury or illness developed over time, report it as soon as you learn or believe it was caused by your job. Reporting promptly helps prevent problems and delays in receiving benefits. Get emergency treatment if you need it. Generally, if your employer does not learn about your injury within 30 days you could lose your right to receive workers' compensation benefits, so timely reporting is essential.

  4. Can workers continue to participate in the Workers Compensation process if they no longer live in California or the United States?

    Yes. Injured workers are eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits even if they leave California. An injured worker who is out of state should contact and work with their employer's workers' compensation insurer to protect their right to receive necessary medical treatment and disability payments.

  5. How can workers get in touch with the Division of Workers' Compensation if they are not in California?

    The employer's workers' compensation insurance carrier would be the best contact regarding the status of a workers' compensation claim. However, if an injured worker has questions about the California workers' compensation system – regardless of where they are – the Division of Workers' Compensation Information and Assistance (I&A) Officers are a great resource and their services are free. I&A Officers are available by phone at 001-800-736-7401; information is also available at the I&A page at DWC's website.

    Injured workers can also attend a free online workshop for a full explanation of workers' compensation benefits, your rights and responsibilities.

    View the schedule for the workshops by phone or on DWC's website, Injured Worker Workshops.

May 2025