The guide below is general information for employees, not legal advice. Every situation is different. If you believe your rights have been violated, talk to an employment attorney about the facts of your case.
Several government agencies enforce employment laws and publish free guidance for workers. Filing a charge or complaint with the right agency is often a required step before you can sue in court. The agencies below are common starting points for employees in Minnesota. Contact information can change; use the official links for the most current details.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 and older), disability, and genetic information. It also handles retaliation claims tied to those laws. In most cases, you must file a charge with the EEOC before bringing a federal discrimination lawsuit. The deadline is generally 300 days from the discriminatory act in Minnesota.
- Website: eeoc.gov
- File a charge: eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination
- Minneapolis Area Office: EEOC Minneapolis — (800) 669-4000
Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR)
MDHR enforces the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in employment and other areas based on protected characteristics including race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, and marital status. Many Minnesota employees can file with MDHR within one year of the alleged discrimination. MDHR investigates complaints and may facilitate settlement or issue findings.
- Website: mn.gov/mdhr
- File a complaint: mn.gov/mdhr/file-a-complaint
- Phone: (651) 539-1100 or (800) 657-3704
U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
The WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It also handles certain FMLA and migrant worker protections. Employees who believe they were not paid correctly or were denied proper overtime can file a complaint online or by phone. WHD may investigate and recover back wages on your behalf.
- Website: dol.gov/agencies/whd
- File a complaint: dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints
- Phone: 1-866-4US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
DLI enforces Minnesota wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime, earned sick and safe time, and other workplace standards. It also provides resources on wage theft prevention and workplace safety. Minnesota employees with state-law wage claims may file with DLI’s Labor Standards unit.
- Website: dli.mn.gov
- Wage and hour information: dli.mn.gov — minimum wage
- Phone: (651) 284-5075 or 1-800-342-5354
Before you file
Agency processes have their own rules, deadlines, and consequences. Filing in the wrong place or missing a deadline can limit your options. An employment attorney can help you choose where to file, what to include, and how agency proceedings fit with a broader strategy for resolving your case.