1. Labor Commissioner's Office

File a Public Works Complaint

Complaints can be filed for all types of public works violations, including failure to pay prevailing wages and use apprentices.

If You Work on a Public Works Project

If you are a worker on a public works project, you should complete the Worker Complaint Form. Fill in the form as best you can and then sign and date it. Include copies of any documents that support your complaint.

If You Do Not Work on a Public Works Project

Any member of the public can file a public works complaint. The Labor Commissioner receives complaints from unions, labor management cooperation committees, public agencies, competitors, and other interested parties.

Where to File a Complaint Form

We have created an email where you are to submit your complaints electronically.  The email address is PW1@dir.ca.gov

When you email the complaints, we need the email SUBJECT line to be written as follows to ensure efficient processing. 

Email Subject line:  COUNTY – PROJECT NAME – CONTRACTOR

You may also mail hard copy complaints to either the Long Beach or Sacramento office address below. 

Complaints regarding work in the following counties should be submitted to the Labor Commissioner’s Long Beach office: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, or Ventura.  

DLSE - BOFE Public Works
Attn: Complaints Unit
1500 Hughes Way, Suite C-202
Long Beach, CA 90810

Complaints regarding work in all other counties should be  delivered to the Labor Commissioner’s Sacramento office:

DLSE – BOFE Public Works
Attn: Complaints Unit
2031 Howe Avenue, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95825

What happens after a complaint has been filed

After you have filed a complaint, your case will be assigned for investigation to the Public Works Unit of the Labor Commissioner's Office. An investigator might contact you if additional information is needed. Your employer cannot fire, demote, suspend or discipline you for answering any questions or providing any information to a government agency.

The investigator will also obtain information from the employer and the agency that awarded the project and interview witnesses.

If the investigator finds a violation, the affected contractor will receive one or more citations. The awarding body will be instructed to withhold any payments until the matter is resolved.

All contractors have a right to appeal the citation(s).

March 2023