658.416—Action on JS-related complaints.
(a)
The appropriate State agency official handling an JS-related complaint shall offer to assist the complainant through the provision of appropriate JS services. For complaints against employers, this may include such services as referring a worker-complainant to another job.
(b)
(1)
If the JS-related complaint concerns violations of an employment-related law, the local or State office official shall refer the complaint to the appropriate enforcement agency and notify the complainant in writing of the referral. The agency shall follow-up with the enforcement agency monthly regarding MSFW complaints and quarterly regarding non-MSFW complaints, and shall inform the complainant of the status of the complaint periodically.
(2)
If the enforcement agency makes a final determination that the employer violated an employment related law, the State JS agency shall initiate procedures for discontinuation of services immediately in accordance with subpart F. The State agency shall notify the complainant and the employer of this action.
(c)
If the complaint is filed initially in a local office, and is not referred under paragraph (b), the appropriate local office official shall investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint immediately upon receipt. If resolution has not been achieved to the satisfaction of the complainant within 15 working days after receipt of the complaint, or 5 working days with respect to complaints filed by or on behalf of MSFWs, the local office official shall send the complaint to the State office for resolution or further action except that if the local office has made a written request for information pursuant to § 658.412(a)(3), these time periods shall not apply until the complainant's response is received in accordance with § 658.412(a)(3). The local office shall notify the complainant and the respondent, in writing, of the results of its investigation pursuant to this paragraph, and of the referral to the State office.
(d)
If the complaint is filed initially with the State office, and is not transferred to a local office under § 658.415(a), or not referred to an enforcement agency under paragraph (b) of this section, the appropriate State office official shall investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint immediately upon receipt. If the State office receives the complaint on referral from a local office, the State official shall attempt to resolve the complaint immediately and may, if necessary, conduct a further investigation. If resolution at the State office level has not been accomplished within 30 working days (20 working days with respect to complaints by MSFWs) after the complaint was received by the State office (whether the complaint was received directly or from a local office pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section), the State office shall make a written determination regarding the complaint and shall send copies to the complainant and the respondent except that if the State office has made a written request for information pursuant to § 658.412 (a)(3) these time periods shall not apply until the complainant's response is received in accordance with § 658.412(a)(3). The determination must be sent by certified mail. The determination shall include all of the following:
(4)
If the complaint is against an employer, and the State office has found that the employer has violated JS regulations, the determination shall state that the State will initiate procedures for discontinuation of services to the employer in accordance with subpart F.
(5)
If the complaint is against an employer and has not been referred to an enforcement agency pursuant to paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and the State office has found that the employer has not violated JS regulations, an offer to the complainant of the opportunity to request a hearing within 20 working days after the certified date of receipt of the notification.
(6)
If the complaint is against the State agency, an offer to the complainant of the opportunity to request in writing a hearing within 20 working days after the certified date of receipt of the notification.
(e)
If the State office, within 20 working days from the certified date of receipt of the notification provided for in paragraph (d) of this section, receives a written request for a hearing in response thereto, the State office shall refer the complaint to a State hearing official for hearing. The parties to whom the determination was sent (the State agency may also be a party) shall then be notified in writing by the State office that:
(6)
The State hearing official may reschedule the hearing at the request of a party or its representative; and
(7)
With the consent of the State agency's representative and of the State hearing official, the party who requested the hearing may withdraw the request for hearing in writing before the hearing.