How McDonald's workers can file unpaid-wage complaints with DOL

McDonald's crew members and other fast-food employees who suspect unpaid wages, missed overtime or minimum-wage violations can take complaints directly to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD). The agency provides multiple filing options, a helpline, and an investigation process that can recover back pay when violations are found.

Workers should start by gathering basic information the WHD asks for: employer details, the dates and hours worked, and any pay records. That documentation forms the backbone of a complaint and helps investigators verify hours, rates and any discrepancies. Filing can be done by phone, through the WHD online portal, or in person at a local WHD office; the agency’s toll-free helpline is 1-866-4US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243). The WHD website also links to local office contacts and related frequently asked questions at dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints.

The complaint process is confidential. After a complaint is filed, WHD investigators typically conduct an initial conference to outline the allegations and gather more detail, follow with interviews and records review, and close with a final conference to report findings and next steps. If investigators find violations, the agency may pursue recovery of back wages for affected employees.

This process matters for McDonald's workers at company-owned and franchised restaurants. Fast-food jobs often involve split shifts, variable hours and multiple managers, situations where pay errors and overtime miscalculations can occur. Filing with WHD gives workers a neutral avenue to resolve disputes without needing to litigate privately, and it can result in corrective payments if violations are substantiated.

Filing a complaint does not require an attorney. The WHD’s helpline and local offices are set up to take complaints and explain what records to bring. Complaints are treated confidentially to protect employees during investigation. Local WHD staff can advise whether a given issue falls under federal wage-and-hour laws and whether additional state resources may also apply.

The takeaway? If you believe you’ve been shorted on pay, start by assembling employer names, exact dates and hours, and whatever pay records you have. Call 1-866-4US-WAGE or use the WHD online complaint portal to initiate a confidential review. Our two cents? Keep copies of timecards and paystubs, note who you reported the issue to at work, and file sooner rather than later—prompt documentation makes it easier to prove missing wages and get the money you earned.