Education for Communities

The Division of Compliance and Education (DOCE) is often the first point of contact for immigrant, refugee, and limited English proficient workers or job seekers to the Department of Labor services.

We are also a point of contact for small businesses for information about the Labor Laws and being in compliance.

Through our toll-free hotline, and presentations to immigrant communities and other groups, we inform people about services provided by the Department of Labor, including:

• Employment services for individuals (such as job searches, resume development, and interviewing skills)
• Labor law compliance for businesses
• Job postings for businesses
• Enforcement of labor law

Our outreach presentations review both the New York State labor law and the DOL complaint handling process for:

• Minimum wage
• Payment of wages and wage supplements
• Prevailing wages under public work contracts
• Child labor
• Hours of work
• Illegal kickbacks
• Tip appropriation and retaliation

We also review other DOCE areas of service:

• Ensuring language access requirements are met by all New York State Agencies so that limited English proficiency speakers can receive services in their own languages.
• Coordination of investigations of possible human trafficking, and providing eligible workers with referrals to service providers,
• U Visa Certifications and T Visa Endorsements.

DOCE’s team is committed to the education of the broader community regarding the rights of immigrant workers and the responsibilities of employers under labor laws. We offer a diverse range of collaborative options, including:

• In-Person Presentations:  Invite our team to your location for in-depth presentations. These sessions cover a wide range of essential topics, including minimum wage, wage supplements, child labor regulations, hours of work, tip appropriation, and more. We also provide insights into complaint investigation processes, labor trafficking, retaliation, U visa certifications, and T visa endorsements.
• Webinars: If in-person presentations are not feasible, we can arrange live webinars tailored to your organization's specific needs. These virtual sessions provide the same level of interaction and information as in-person presentations while offering the convenience of remote accessibility.
• Tabling Events: We actively participate in tabling events, where we set up informative displays and engage with individuals who approach our booth. This platform serves as an opportunity for individuals to request information, seek guidance, and pose questions regarding labor laws and related matters.
• Staff Training: Empower your staff members with the knowledge and tools to effectively inform and support your community on labor laws. Our comprehensive training programs are available both in-person and virtually, catering to your organization's preferences. 

DOCE is dedicated to reaching immigrant and refugee communities and organizations that serve them. Our outreach extends to advocacy groups, community-based organizations, social services providers, faith-based groups, small business associations, community boards, elected officials, government agencies, and foreign government representatives. We make a concerted effort to visit areas in the state where large groups of immigrants and refugees live or work, bridging the gap for those who may face geographical or time constraints in visiting a Department of Labor office. 

DOCE's outreach services are tailored to support immigrant communities, as well as the organizations dedicated to serving them. Collaborate with us to bring valuable information and support to your community. Interested? Please complete the DOCE Community Outreach Request Form.

For businesses, outreach presentations focus on areas of labor law relevant to their operations:

• Our role as a liaison to business services within the DOL
• Industry-specific wage orders
• Payment of wages
• Payroll records
• Maintenance of records
• Laws prohibiting child labor, deductions, tip appropriation
• Workplace environment issues

We are available to present to immigrant and refugee communities, or organizations that serve them. We continue to work with:

• Advocacy Groups
• Community-based organizations
• Social services providers
• Faith-based groups
• Small Business Associations
• Community Boards
• Elected officials
• Local, state, and federal government agencies
• Foreign government representatives

We visit locations where large groups of immigrants and refugees live or work. We use this outreach to bring information to people who are not able to visit a Department of Labor office because of distance or time. 

Through our toll-free hotline, we additionally provide assistance with:

• Connecting immigrants to services within the DOL, including filing complaints for back wages or for unemployment
• Providing referrals to social or other appropriate service providers
• Referrals to resources for immigrant business owners

To request information, to schedule a presentation for your organization or business or to invite us to attend your event, contact us at 877-466-9757.