New York State Department of Labor Worker Protection

Worker Protection

Worker Protection is dedicated to providing quality services to the people, businesses and governments in the State of New York.  We are committed to protecting all of our customers from illness, injury and injustice by assisting them in their efforts to achieve compliance with New York's Labor Laws.  We do this by providing education, consultation and enforcement services in a fair, timely and consistent manner.

Employment Laws/Labor Standards

Have you been paid your wages?  Did you have a lunch break yesterday? Is your child working too many hours after school?  The Division of Labor Standards protects the rights of private sector employees at their workplaces through outreach, training and enforcement of the New York State Labor laws.  The Division of Labor Standards also protects the employers of New York State by  providing educational seminars and access to written materials concerning the state Labor laws.

Prevailing Wage/Public Work

If you're working in the building trades, on construction projects for a public entity (state or local government, town or village, school district, etc.), Public Work Labor Laws apply to you.  If you're performing building service work (janitorial duties, building guard, landscaping, etc.) for a public entity (state or local government, town or village, school district, etc.), Public Work Labor Laws apply to you.  The Bureau of Public Work monitors the wages, benefits and work hours of employees on public work contracts.  It also provides information and requirements regarding public work contracts to employers and other government agencies.

Safety and Health

Workplace Safety begins with you.  The goal of the Division of Safety and Health (DOSH) is to help our citizens stay safe at work by providing guidance through:

• Regulations
• Training and consultation
• Evaluations and enforcement