The Official Website of the Attorney General of Massachusetts

Attorney General Martha Coakley

Email & Bookmark


File a Wage Complaint

Selecting Your Complaint Form

There are two complaint forms to choose from.  To prevent delays in processing your complaint, please select either the Non-Payment of Wage and Workplace Complaint Form or the Prevailing Wage Rate Complaint Form.  

Read the descriptions below to determine which form is appropriate for your complaint.  If you are still uncertain about which form to use, please call the Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465. 

Please complete all forms as accurately as possible and attach photocopies of supporting information, such as pay stubs and work logs.  Please save all originals.  Return completed forms to:

Office of the Attorney General
Fair Labor Division
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108

 

Non-Payment of Wage Form

Most complaints are made on the Non-Payment of Wage and Workplace Complaint Form.  If you were not paid for your work, or you did not receive overtime pay, the state minimum wage, earned vacation wages, your tips or a meal break, use the Non-Payment of Wage and Workplace Complaint Form.  This form is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Chinese.

English form:

Portuguese form and instructions:

Spanish form and instructions:

Chinese form:

 

Prevailing Wage Form

If you worked on a public works construction project for a city, town or state and believe that you were not paid according to the state prevailing wage law, please download and fill out the Prevailing Wage Rate Complaint Form.  This form is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish (below).

The Massachusetts prevailing wage laws require that employees on public works projects, except those who perform strictly supervisory functions, be paid a special minimum hourly rate set by the Division of Occupational Safety in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (M.G.L. c.149, s. 26).  If your employer did not perform construction work for a government entity, you should not use this form. 

English form:

Portuguese form and instructions:

Spanish form and instructions:

 

Completing Your Complaint

Before processing your complaint, the Attorney General’s Office must receive full and complete information from you.  Please make certain you have provided the following information, or your complaint may not be processed:

  • Your employer's complete name and address, including zip code;
  • The type of work you performed;
  • The amount of wages you are owed, and your rate of pay;
  • Exact dates worked that you feel you are owed wages from;
  • The exact location where you worked;
  • The date you made a personal demand for your wages, and your employer's response;
  • Copies of pay stubs;
  • A copy of your employer's vacation policy, if applicable; and
  • Any additional information clarifying your claim (attach additional sheets if necessary).

When We Receive Your Complaint

Please note that due to the large volume of complaints received by this office, we cannot pursue every complaint that is received and it may take several weeks to process your complaint.  Once your complaint is received, a copy may be forwarded to your employer. 

The Attorney General's Office will determine what course of action to take based on the information you provide and our own investigation. This action may include:

  • Seeking restitution of your unpaid wages;
  • Issuing a private right of action so that you may pursue your wages through a civil lawsuit;
  • Issuing a citation against your employer; or
  • Seeking criminal charges against your employer.

If the Attorney General's Office files criminal charges against your employer for violations of the labor laws, you will be subpoenaed to court as a witness for the Commonwealth. An assistant attorney general will contact you in advance of the court date to explain the court process and review the case with you.

The Attorney General’s Office may issue civil citations to employers of employees in Massachusetts for violations of state payment of wage, minimum wage, overtime, prevailing wage, pay stub and record keeping, tip pooling, independent contractor, and retaliation laws. A civil citation may be mailed or hand-delivered to an employer. A citation can include an order for a business to rectify all infractions, as well as repay restitution to one or more employees. A civil penalty up to $25,000 may also be imposed.

If you wish to file your own lawsuit, 90 days after filing a complaint with this office, you may sue your employer in civil court for your wages, with the possibility of triple damages, costs and attorney’s fees.  You may also request written permission from the Attorney General's Office to proceed before the end of the 90-day waiting period.