California Labor Commissioner — Wage Claims & Workplace Rights
Statewide California services. Individual eligibility and the correct programme or claim office still matter.
Use the official public wage-claim portal. Wage recovery is different from reporting a general labor-law violation or filing a retaliation complaint.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — How to File a Wage Claim
How to File a Wage Claim
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Check filing deadlines, employer information, supporting records and email, mail or in-person options. Misclassified workers may still be able to file.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Workers in California have the right
Workers in California have the right
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Choose the correct claim packet and supporting forms. Garment and public-works claims have separate instructions.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Wage Claim
Wage Claim
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Use the official city/ZIP office finder. The closest office or your home county is not necessarily the office responsible for your claim.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
For case updates, email the district office where you filed and include your claim number in the subject line. A technical-support mailbox is not the claim office.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
The Labor Commissioner’s Oakland headquarters is closed to the public. The separate Oakland district counter is Suite 801; use the correct claim office.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Labor Commissioner
Labor Commissioner
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Use the Labor Commissioner’s public retaliation, Equal Pay Act and pay-transparency intake page. Different complaint types have different deadlines.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Discrimination based on protected characteristics may belong with the California Civil Rights Department. Choose the agency for the actual type of complaint.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — How to file a retaliation/discrimination complaint
How to file a retaliation/discrimination complaint
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Follow the correct paper form instructions, sign and date it, and keep copies. Follow the current main page for the responsible agency and filing limits.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Filing your complaint
Filing your complaint
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The general California rate is $16.90 per hour from January 1, 2026. Higher industry or local rates and exemptions can apply; this is an earnings rule, not a filing fee.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Minimum Wage
Minimum Wage
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Report widespread violations affecting a group of workers. This report is not an individual wage claim; file a wage claim too if you seek unpaid wages.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
A labor-law violation report is not a wage claim. If you also seek unpaid wages, the agency says to file a wage claim too.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Report a Labor Law Violation
Report a Labor Law Violation
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Use the public-works complaint route for prevailing wages and apprenticeship violations. Meal/rest breaks, bounced checks and waiting-time penalties use wage adjudication.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Public Works investigates prevailing wages. Missed meal/rest breaks, bounced checks and waiting-time penalties belong with Wage Claim Adjudication.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Public-works paper complaints for Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura go to Long Beach; all other counties use Sacramento.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — File a Public Works Complaint
File a Public Works Complaint
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Use garment-specific claim materials and the dedicated unit. Contact the unit for an in-person appointment; general wage instructions do not cover every garment-law issue.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
California Department of Industrial Relations — Labor Commissioner · this page (opens in a new tab)
Main content — Garment
Garment
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Review your hearing notice, documents and witnesses. The hearing is legally binding; missing it can cause dismissal.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — Wage claim hearing
Wage claim hearing
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Review the decision and service notice promptly. Current Labor Code section 98.2 and applicable service rules govern a Superior Court appeal; postal shorthand is not a universal deadline.
Service area: California statewide programme; individual and programme eligibility still apply. Area details & sources
When an ODA becomes final, the statute provides for entry as a Superior Court judgment. A judgment still requires collection; it is not automatic receipt of wages.
Official information checked October 16, 2026 · Details & sources
Source checked October 16, 2026
Main content — After the hearing
After the hearing
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