Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit (RCI)

Employees and applicants for employment in California have the right to exercise their labor rights without retaliation or discrimination. The Labor Commissioner’s Office enforces more than 45 labor laws that specifically prohibit discrimination and retaliation, including Equal Pay Act violations.

The Retaliation Complaint Investigation Unit (RCI) investigates workplace retaliation complaints. Examples include:

  • Termination, suspension, transfer or demotion
  • Reduction in pay or hours
  • Disciplinary actions or threats
  • Unfair immigration-related practices

RCI also investigates:

  • pay inequity based on sex
  • pay inequity based on race
  • pay inequity based on ethnicity

Workplace discrimination complaints based on race, color, ancestry, religion, age (40 and over), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin (including language restrictions), should be filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Resources

May 2024