When something goes wrong at a temp job — a paycheck is short, a workplace feels unsafe, or your assignment is ended without explanation — it can be hard to know where to turn. Understanding the complaints process before problems arise puts you in a much stronger position if they do.
Know Who to Contact for What
As a temp worker, you work at a client site but are employed by the staffing agency. This means responsibility is split depending on the issue:
- Pay disputes, timesheet errors, or payroll questions: Contact your staffing agency’s payroll or operations team. The client does not pay you directly.
- Safety concerns or workplace hazards: Report these to both the client site supervisor and your agency. Under most circumstances, the agency shares responsibility for ensuring safe working conditions.
- Harassment or discrimination: Report to your agency recruiter or HR contact. Agencies are required to take these reports seriously. You may also have the right to file a complaint with a relevant government body depending on your location.
- Assignment ending without explanation: Contact your recruiter. You may ask for the reason, though agencies are not always obligated to explain. Focus on confirming your availability for the next placement.
Document Before You Complain
Before raising an issue formally, gather your documentation. This means timesheets, pay stubs, assignment agreements, and any written communication about the incident. A complaint backed by records is far more likely to be resolved in your favor than one based on recollection alone.
Escalate If Needed
If your recruiter does not respond or the issue is not resolved at the first level, ask to speak with a manager or escalate to the agency’s HR department. Most agencies have a formal complaints or dispute resolution process. Ask for it in writing if it is not provided.
External Options
For unresolved wage disputes, your state’s labor department or the federal Department of Labor may be able to assist. For discrimination or harassment that the agency fails to address, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) accepts complaints from temp workers. You do not need an attorney to file a complaint with these agencies.
Protect Yourself From Retaliation
Federal and state laws prohibit employers — including staffing agencies — from retaliating against workers who raise complaints about wages, safety, or discrimination. If you believe you were removed from an assignment or blacklisted in response to a complaint, document the timeline and consider consulting a workers’ rights organization.
Raising a complaint can feel risky, but workers who understand their rights and stay organized are in the best position to resolve issues fairly.