The Department of Labor (DOL) is charged with investigating each DOL complaint that is filed. Naturally, there is a set procedure for filing a complaint with the DOL. Navigating the requirements for filing a complaint is not difficult, but staying aware of the many factors pertaining to the law can be.
1. Analyze Your Situation.
What type of employment injustice have you experienced? The Department of Labor is split into multiple categories to better serve American workers. Therefore, you need to recognize which board your situation will fall under. For example, the Wage and Hour Division protects the wages and the working hours of employed individuals whereas the Occupational Safety and Health Administration protects the health and safety of an employee in his or her workplace.
2. Research The Complaint Process.
In general, each branch of the DOL offers a specific complaint process. A DOL complaint must be made in accordance with the regulations supplied by the particular organization that you file with. Naturally, it’s important that you begin to gather pertinent information to your complaint.
3. Check The Time Limit.
Most complaint processes include a rigid time limit. If you have experienced an employment injustice, you do not have unlimited time to file your DOL complaint. Do not wait to investigate how to file your complaint and how quickly to make it happen. In some cases, you may have as little as 30 days to file.
4. File Your DOL Complaint.
When you know which branch of the DOL you are filing with, you can choose to file in person, online, or mail. However, offices vary. Fill out the appropriate documents supplied by the office and submit your complaint. When you are filing your DOL complaint, you may want to consult with a lawyer to be sure that you’ve included all necessary information.
5. Hurry Up And Wait.
The administrations and offices that make up DOL are required to look into your complaint. In the mean time, you must wait. However, this may also be the opportune time for you to consult a lawyer if you have not already to consider your options.
6. DOL Complaint Verified Or Not?
Occasionally the board will review your complaint and decide that it is not a case. At this stage, you can either contact a lawyer for a private suit or allow the situation to drop. The other option is that your complaint will be further investigated for grounds of employment injustice.
Although filing for a DOL complaint is not difficult, many steps can complicate the process. But more than that, your complaint must be thorough. If it’s not detailed enough, this can hurt your complaint if you decide to take it to trial. A lawyer understands what type of detail and summary are crucial to building a successful case under the law. If you don’t have to go through the complaint process alone, why would you?
If you have experienced a violation of your rights as an American job holder, contact a DOL lawyer who will know how to navigate the DOL and your rights under the law. Don’t hesitate, talk to a DOL attorney: (412) 626-5626 or lawyer@lawkm.com
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