What makes a good lead
for the Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF)

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Labor Enforcement Task Force image

LETF enforcement efforts benefit greatly from lead referrals from the public. These leads help us to fulfill our mission of protecting California's workers and leveling the playing field for businesses.

Below you will find a guide that explains what would make a good lead for LETF and what information would be helpful to provide. All leads are processed and investigated according to a priority system. You may remain anonymous when you make your report. However, if you leave your contact information, we can ask follow-up questions, which may determine whether we are able to investigate the lead or not.

As an employee in the state of California, you have the right to speak to representatives of the Labor Commissioner's Office or any other government or law enforcement agency about any issues affecting your working conditions. Your employer cannot legally fire, demote, suspend, or discipline you for answering any questions or providing any information to a government agency. Learn about your rights as an employee. ( Spanish / Korean).

Is the employer breaking the law?

If you are uncertain whether an employer is breaking the law, here are some basic questions to consider:

  • Is the employer providing itemized wage statements to employees?
  • Is the employer paying minimum wage and overtime?
  • Do employees get meal and rest breaks?
  • Does the employer have a valid workers' compensation insurance policy?
  • Does the employer provide a safe working environment for employees?
  • Is the employer correctly reporting wages and paying payroll taxes?
  • Is the employer operating with the appropriate licenses or registration?
  • Is the employer correctly classifying workers as employees versus independent contractors?

If the answer is “No” to any of these questions, please contact us and we can advise you on how to report the details and what steps you can take. If appropriate, we will initiate an investigation.

LETF focuses on low-wage industries and high-hazard occupations, but regardless of the industry sector, LETF will review all reported cases of unlawful activity and handle each case appropriately.

Details

Please provide as many of the following details as possible:

  • Name of registered business or  individual employer
  • The “DBA” (Doing Business As) name, if different from the registered business name
  • Business telephone number
  • The number of employees
  • Length of time the unlawful activity has been going on

Business location

Please provide specific information about where the employer and employees are located and if their location is likely to change in the near future. In some cases, the registered business address is different from where the employer and employees are actually working. It is easier for us to initiate an investigation if we know where work will be taking place.

  • The address where employer and employees can be observed and located.
  • If the employer is involved in an ongoing project, how long will the project last? Will the employer be working at another site tomorrow or in the near future?

Evidence and witnesses

Gathering evidence is crucial to the successful prosecution of non-compliant employers. Please provide us with any helpful evidence that is available, such as the following:

  • Physical evidence, such as payroll records, time cards or a written contract that would prove unlawful activity
  • Pictures, emails, or video recordings
  • Names and contact information of other people (especially other employees) who have also witnessed the employer engaging in unlawful activity

Thank you for helping to make California a safer place to work and a better place to do business.