Pay & working terms · 2 min read
Labour officer complaints in Kenya: prepare your case
Bring a clear record of your employment problem to the labour office, follow the conciliation process and do not pay to lodge a complaint.
A labour officer can help parties address an individual employment dispute. Preparation matters: take the documents that show your job, the problem and what you have already asked the employer to do.
Prepare a short factual summary
Write the employer’s name, your job title, employment dates, the issue, the amount or action you are seeking and key dates. Attach copies of your contract, payslips, bank records and messages that support the summary.
Keep originals with you unless an official asks to inspect them. A tidy set of documents helps both you and the officer understand the issue.
Contact the labour office for your area
The State Department for Labour describes a process in which an officer interviews the complainant and registers an individual complaint. It may then invite both sides to conciliation.
Ask the office what it needs from you and how it will contact you. Give a phone number and email address you control, and update them if they change.
Attend and keep records
Bring your file to each meeting, arrive on time and state the facts calmly. Save notices, dates and any agreement. Read an agreement before signing it and ask for a copy.
If the issue is not resolved, ask the officer about the next step available in your case. Court and other remedies can have time limits, so do not ignore correspondence.
The service is not a recruitment fee
The State Department service charter lists resolution of individual labour disputes at no cost. If someone asks you to pay a private fee to register or move a complaint, verify it directly with the labour office.
No job, shortlist or labour complaint should require a payment to an unofficial agent.
Sources and further reading
Explore this topic
Frequently asked questions
What should I take to a labour officer?
Take a short timeline and copies of your contract, payslips, messages and other records related to the complaint.
Does it cost to lodge an individual labour dispute?
The State Department service charter lists the resolution of individual labour disputes at no cost.