Work · Your first weeks on the job

Your rights at work

Federal law: at least $7.25 an hour (your state's rate if higher), and time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Short breaks your employer gives must be paid, but federal law doesn't require breaks or a lunch. You have a right to a safe workplace and training you understand, and to report problems without being punished. Deadlines matter: an EEOC discrimination charge within 180 days (300 in many states), an OSHA retaliation complaint within 30 days. Wage complaints to the DOL (1-866-487-9243) are confidential.

Easy15 min to readFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

Your pay stubs
Your own record of hours: dates, start and end times, breaks
Your offer letter and any employee handbook

What to know

Minimum wage: the federal minimum is $7.25 an hour. Many states set a higher one, and when both apply you get the higher rate. Source: DOL¹ Check your state on the DOL's state minimum wage table.
Overtime: covered nonexempt employees get at least one and a half times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Source: DOL¹ Your workweek is a fixed seven-day period, and hours can't be averaged across two weeks. Source: DOL²
Weekends and nights: federal law doesn't require extra pay for weekend or night work, or double time. That's up to your employer or your contract. Source: DOL Some states require more, like California's daily overtime after eight hours. Source: DOL⁴
Breaks: federal law doesn't require lunch or coffee breaks. But if your employer gives short breaks of about 5 to 20 minutes, they count as paid work time. Meal periods of usually 30 minutes or more don't have to be paid. Source: DOL³ Some states have their own break rules.
Safety: your employer must keep the workplace free from known hazards, train you in a language you understand, give you safe machines and required safety gear like gloves or a harness, and protect you from toxic chemicals. You can report an injury and get copies of your medical records. Source: OSHA⁹
Speaking up: you can report safety concerns without being punished. If you can, tell your employer first; they may fix it quickly. Otherwise file a confidential complaint with OSHA online, by phone at 800-321-6742, by mail or in person, in any language, even anonymously. Source: OSHA⁹
Discrimination: federal laws prohibit firing and other job discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability and veteran status. Source: DOL⁷ To file a charge with the EEOC, start at the EEOC Public Portal or call 1-800-669-4000. Source: EEOC¹¹
Keep your own record of hours. Employers must keep time and pay records, Source: DOL¹ but your notes and pay stubs are your evidence if there's a dispute. The DOL has a free timesheet app. Source: DOL⁸

Watch out Deadlines are short. An OSHA whistleblower complaint is due within 30 days of the retaliation. Source: OSHA⁹ OSHA can't issue violations for safety incidents more than six months old. Source: OSHA¹⁰ An EEOC charge is due within 180 calendar days, extended to 300 if a state or local agency enforces a similar law. Source: EEOC¹¹

Where to report

Who handles what, from each agency.

Problem	Who to contact	How
Unpaid minimum wage or overtime, last paycheck not paid	DOL Wage and Hour Division, or your state labor department Source: DOL⁵	1-866-487-9243; complaints are confidential
Unsafe conditions	OSHA Source: OSHA¹⁰	Online, 800-321-6742, mail or in person; anonymous is OK
Punished for a safety complaint	OSHA whistleblower complaint Source: OSHA⁹	Within 30 days
Discrimination or harassment	EEOC, or your state's fair employment agency Source: EEOC¹¹	Public Portal or 1-800-669-4000; 180 or 300 days

If you're fired or quit

Federal law doesn't require your final paycheck right away, but some states do. If the regular payday has passed and you haven't been paid, contact the Wage and Hour Division or your state labor department. Source: DOL⁶
You may be able to keep your work health insurance for a limited time under COBRA. Source: DOL⁷
If you lost the job through no fault of your own, you may qualify for unemployment. Source: DOL⁷
Unless the firing was discrimination, retaliation for a protected complaint, or broke a contract, federal law generally doesn't stop it. Source: DOL⁷

Your hours log

Date
Time in and time out
Breaks: start, end, paid or unpaid
Total hours for the week
Anything unusual: sent home early, asked to work off the clock, a safety problem

See it done

Video by USDepartmentofLabor Government

You are entitled to all your wages

Watch on YouTube: You are entitled to all your wages

2023 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

If your employer retaliates for a wage complaint, that's illegal. An employer can't retaliate against you for filing a complaint or cooperating with an investigation. Source: DOL⁵
If your deadline for an EEOC charge is close, call 1-800-669-4000 and ask for an immediate interview, or walk into one of the EEOC's 53 offices. Source: EEOC¹¹
Promised more than minimum wage and didn't get it? Federal law doesn't have a collection process for that, but some states do. Source: DOL
Need a lawyer? See Getting free legal help. Legal aid can help with wrongful firing, discrimination and wage disputes, depending on where you live. Source: USA.gov

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Exempt jobs

Some salaried jobs are exempt from minimum wage and overtime rules. The DOL has an online advisor to check. Source: DOL¹

Under 18?

Federal child labor rules limit the hours and jobs for workers under 18, and the stricter of federal or state law applies. Common violations include working longer or later than allowed, and driving or using a forklift or dough mixer. Source: DOL⁸

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

U.S. Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Act
U.S. Department of Labor Overtime pay
U.S. Department of Labor Breaks and meal periods
U.S. Department of Labor State minimum wage laws
U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour complaints
U.S. Department of Labor Last paycheck
U.S. Department of Labor Termination
U.S. Department of Labor Young workers
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Workers' rights
Occupational Safety and Health Administration File a complaint
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission How to file a charge

Lesson W4.5 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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