What kinds of crimes does the worker protection unit investigate and prosecute?

The Unit pursues criminal charges against individuals and companies that jeopardize their worker’s safety and steal their wages. Wage theft can take various forms, including failing to pay wages, making partial payments, paying less than minimum wage, and neglecting to pay overtime. Worker exploitation and wage theft can happen in any industry but is most prevalent in construction, food service, hotels, home healthcare agencies.

What can you report?

We encourage you to report the following issues:

1. Wage theft
2. Unsafe work practices (lack of fall protection, dangerous work areas, exposure to harmful chemicals, etc.)
3. Unreported injuries on the job
4. Bribes
5. Fake Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cards, Site Safety Training (SST) cards, and professional licenses

How can you help yourself from being exploited in the workplace?

We rely on workers to build our cases. Following these practices will help create a stronger case if you are victimized by your employer:

1. Keep a record of your work addresses and names of supervisors and coworkers
2. Document all hours worked and save all checks and paystubs
3. Save all communications with supervisors
4. Photograph or record any unsafe conditions

I’m undocumented. Can I still file a report?

Absolutely. Our Office is a safe place to report crime regardless of immigration status.

To report wage theft or dangerous work conditions call or message the Worker Protection Unit at (646) 712-0298.