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USDOLRev. 03-2016

Official form guide

Form WH-56: Complaint Form — Wage and Hour Division

Wage and Hour Division complaint form for workers to report violations of federal wage laws, including minimum wage, overtime, FMLA, and other wage and hour violations.

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Form Overview

DOL Form WH-56 - Complaint Form — Wage and Hour Division

Wage and Hour Division complaint form for workers to report violations of federal wage laws, including minimum wage, overtime, FMLA, and other wage and hour violations.

An official complaint to DOL's Wage and Hour Division requesting an investigation into possible wage law violations.

Risk Radar

Scan points
  • 1Waiting too long — the 2-year statute of limitations begins running from each pay period violation.
  • 2Not keeping records — maintaining your own records of hours worked and wages received strengthens your complaint.
  • 3Fear of retaliation — federal law prohibits retaliation against workers who file wage complaints.

Plain English

Use this form to report your employer if they are not paying you correctly — such as not paying minimum wage, not paying overtime, or violating FMLA.

Submission Date

  • Filing date: File as soon as possible. Most FLSA violations have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations).
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

officialminimumfederal

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Field map

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9 fields

Complainant

3 items

Your Name

Your full name (can be kept confidential by WHD).

text
Your Address

Your mailing address.

text
Your Phone Number

Phone number for WHD to contact you.

text

Employer

2 items

Employer Name

The company or individual you are filing a complaint against.

Requiredtext
Employer Address

Employer's address.

Requiredtext

Violation

3 items

Type of Violation

Minimum wage, overtime, FMLA, child labor, or other violation.

Requiredselect
Description of Violation

Describe what happened, when it started, and any relevant details.

Requiredtext
Estimated Back Wages Owed

Your estimate of unpaid wages (if applicable).

amount

Signature

1 items

Signature

Sign the complaint form.

signature

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Quick Facts

Workers (or persons filing on a worker's behalf) who believe their employer has violated federal wage and hour laws.
An official complaint to DOL's Wage and Hour Division requesting an investigation into possible wage law violations.
File as soon as possible. Most FLSA violations have a 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations).
Submit to your local Wage and Hour Division office, online at dol.gov, or by phone at 1-866-487-9243.
The Wage and Hour Division investigates violations and can recover back wages, liquidated damages, and civil monetary penalties on behalf of workers.
Provide as much detail as possible about your employer, the work performed, hours worked, and wages paid. Complaints can be confidential.

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Copyright & Licensing - US Government Forms

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Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
Public DomainCreated by the U.S. federal government. Not subject to copyright (17 USC § 105). Freely copyable without restriction.
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