Pennsylvania Recovers $5.3M in Wages, Fines Employers for Labor Law Violations

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Filed January 28th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry announced it recovered over $5.3 million in unpaid wages and collected over $2.25 million in fines from employers in 2025. The agency investigated over 7,000 labor law complaints, a nearly 23% increase from the previous year.

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What changed

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) has reported significant enforcement actions taken in 2025, recovering over $5.3 million in unpaid wages for workers and collecting more than $2.25 million in fines from employers who violated state labor laws. This represents a nearly 23% increase in labor law complaints investigated, totaling 7,029. Specific enforcement highlights include actions under the Wage Payment and Collection Law, Minimum Wage Act, Prevailing Wage Act, and measures against the misclassification of construction employees and violations of the Child Labor Act.

These findings underscore a heightened focus on wage theft and labor law compliance within the Commonwealth. Employers operating in Pennsylvania must ensure adherence to wage payment, minimum wage, overtime, prevailing wage, and child labor regulations. The substantial fines collected indicate a strong enforcement posture, and companies found to be misclassifying workers or violating child labor laws face significant financial penalties. The data suggests that increased worker confidence and proactive enforcement are driving the rise in complaints, signaling that non-compliance will likely lead to direct financial consequences and regulatory scrutiny.

What to do next

Review wage payment and collection practices to ensure compliance with Pennsylvania law.
Verify proper classification of all construction workers as employees or independent contractors.
Ensure adherence to all provisions of the Child Labor Act for minor employees.

Penalties

Over $2.25 million in fines collected from employers. Specific fines mentioned for misclassification ($762,635) and child labor violations ($1,466,073).

Source document (simplified)

Protecting Workers’ Rights: Shapiro Administration Holds Lawbreaking Employers Accountable in 2025, Returning $5.3 Million to Pennsylvania Workers

The Shapiro Administration has made protecting workers and cracking down on wage theft a top priority, signaling to employers across the Commonwealth that violations of labor law will be met with swift enforcement and real consequences.

Labor law complaints rose nearly 23 percent in 2025, as more workers sought enforcement of their rights.

More than $2.25 million in fines collected and deposited in the General Fund from employers that violated Pennsylvania labor laws

January 28, 2026
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Harrisburg, PA – As the Shapiro Administration continues to protect workers and crack down on wage theft, **** the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today announced that in 2025 it investigated more than 7,000 labor law complaints statewide — a nearly 23 percent increase from 2024 — recovering more than $5.3 million in unpaid wages for Pennsylvania workers and collecting more than $2.25 million in fines for the General Fund from employers who broke Pennsylvania labor laws.

The surge in complaints reflects both increased enforcement and growing confidence among workers that the Commonwealth takes action when their rights are violated. Through these actions, L&I protected workers’ rights and held employers accountable.

“Pennsylvania workers deserve to be paid every dollar they earn and to know that their rights are protected,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, our Bureau of Labor Law Compliance is responding to thousands of complaints, returning wages to workers, and holding employers accountable when they break the law. When employers cheat their workers, the Commonwealth will not look the other way. This work is about fairness, dignity, and economic justice for working Pennsylvanians.”

L&I’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance (BLLC) is responsible for administering, educating, and enforcing Pennsylvania’s labor laws. In 2025, BLLC took decisive enforcement action across industries and regions, receiving 7,029 complaints and delivering real financial relief to workers while penalizing repeat violators and assessing fines against employers violating the law.

2025 Bureau of Labor Law Compliance Enforcement Highlights

Wage Payment and Collection Law:
Ensures workers receive the wages they have earned in a timely manner
• Complaints Received: 4,749
• Unpaid Wages Returned to Workers: $4,010,527
• Workers Paid: Approximately 1,700

Minimum Wage Act:
Requires employers to pay minimum wage and overtime to eligible workers
• Complaints Received: 322
• Unpaid Wages Returned to Workers: $578,499
• Workers Paid: Approximately 450

Prevailing Wage Act:
Protects workers on publicly funded construction projects from being underpaid
• Complaints Received: 186
• Unpaid Wages Returned to Workers: $744,881
• Workers Paid: 386

Misclassification of Construction Employees:
Stops employers from illegally classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid paying wages and benefits
• Complaints and Referrals Received: 390
• Fines Collected: $762,635
• Companies Found in Violation: 187
• Workers Misclassified: 1,304

Child Labor Act:
Protects minors from unsafe or unlawful employment practices
• Cases Investigated: 1,265
• Fines Collected: $1,466,073
• Companies Found in Violation: 231

Mandatory Overtime Law for Nurses:
Protects patient safety and nurses well-being by limiting mandatory overtime
• Complaints Received: 117
• Fines Collected: $21,734

How to Submit a Complaint L&I’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance responds to complaints from workers and members of the public who suspect violations of Pennsylvania labor laws, including the Wage Payment and Collection Law, Minimum Wage Act, Child Labor Act, and the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. Complaints can be filed online through L&I’s website using a secure submission form.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.