Doing Well at Work

What it is

Workplace basics — how to speak and dress, getting along, your rights, using helpful tools (including AI), and what to do if you’re let go.

Why it helps you

Keeping and growing in a job builds your money and your confidence. Knowing your rights keeps you protected.

Good to have first

Finding a Job.

This opens up

Raises, stability, a career.

Where to get help

Learn workplace skills

Crash Course: Business Soft Skills Free short videos on “soft skills.” These are the people skills of work, like talking with your boss, handling feedback, and working on a team.

Cost: Free to watch on YouTube.
Who can use it: Anyone.
How to start: On the site, open “Courses” and choose “Business: Soft Skills.”
Good to know: No account needed.

Know your rights and get help if they’re broken

Wage and Hour Division (U.S. Department of Labor) Helps if you aren’t paid minimum wage or overtime, or were made to work “off the clock.”

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Most workers in the US.
How to start: Call 1-866-487-9243 (1-866-4-USWAGE). Say, “I don’t think I’m being paid correctly.”
Good to know: Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. your local time. Keep your own notes of the hours you work.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Helps if you were treated unfairly at work because of your religion, race, sex, disability, age (40 or older), or similar reasons. It also helps if you were punished for complaining.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Job applicants and workers. Most rules cover employers with 15 or more workers.
How to start: Call 1-800-669-4000 or start online through the EEOC Public Portal.
Good to know: There’s a deadline. You usually must file within 180 days. In many states it’s 300 days. Don’t wait.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Protects your right to talk with coworkers about pay and working conditions, and to act together to improve them.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Most private-sector workers.
How to start: Call 1-844-762-6572 (1-844-762-NLRB).
Good to know: A boss who says “you can’t talk about your pay” is usually breaking the law.

OSHA (workplace safety) Helps if your workplace is unsafe, like broken equipment, no safety gear, or dangerous heat.

Cost: Free
Who can use it: Most workers.
How to start: Call 1-800-321-6742 (1-800-321-OSHA) or file a complaint online.
Good to know: You can file a safety complaint without giving your name.

If you lose your job

Unemployment Benefits Finder (CareerOneStop) Unemployment pays you for a while if you lose your job through no fault of your own. Each state runs its own program. This finder links you to your state’s real website.

Cost: Free to apply.
Who can use it: Workers who lost a job, usually through a layoff or being let go without serious misconduct. Rules vary by state.
How to start: Pick your state in the finder. Apply the same week you lose your job if you can.
Good to know: You’ll need your Social Security number and your past employers’ names and dates. You’ll usually have to show each week that you’re looking for work. For help, call 1-877-872-5627.

If you only do one thing first

Keep your own simple record of your work. Write down the days and hours you work, what you’re paid, and anything that worries you. Save your pay stubs. This helps you check your pay, and it’s strong proof if you ever need help from the agencies above.

Watch out for

Fake “you can’t” rules. Some bosses say you can’t talk about pay, take a lunch break, or report a problem. Many of these rules are illegal. Call the agencies above to check.
Working off the clock. If you must be at work, you should be paid. That includes setup, cleanup, and required training.
Fake unemployment websites. Scammers copy state unemployment sites to steal your information. Use the CareerOneStop finder, and check that the web address ends in “.gov”.
Thinking you must put up with abuse. Yelling, threats, or touching you don’t want are not “just part of the job.” You can report it, and you can leave.
Missing deadlines. Complaints have time limits. If something is wrong, ask for help soon.