How the Wage and Hour Division Helps Kids Know Their Rights as Workers

Jose Reyna is a senior investigator in the Wage and Hour Division, working out of Austin, Texas. He recently spoke about his experience with the division, and how family background informs his desire to help workers, particularly children, avoid exploitation.?

What are you most proud of in your career so far???

I’m most proud of ensuring that minors are protected in the workplace, making sure they are safe and not compromising their education. I was fortunate enough to assist a special district attorney in calculating the restitution for multiple minor victims engaged in forced labor. This case highlighted the importance of the work we do, and talking to the minors about their experience made a strong impression on me.?

Can you share a bit about your background and how it shaped your work??

My parents were immigrants from Mexico. My father worked tirelessly to put me and my three siblings through college. He worked as a welder, rigger and crane operator throughout the United States, while my mom stayed home and raised the four of us. His goal was to have all his children be college-educated and achieve more than he could. Now, he is a small business owner and encourages me to always stick up for the disadvantaged. He stressed the importance of using my history and native language to help serve the Hispanic community.??

What motivates you??

My motivation comes from helping low-wage workers to be paid fairly. I especially enjoy educating them on their rights, so they know what they are entitled to. I want to help them more than just in one situation; I want them to be aware of labor laws, so they can advocate for themselves in their current environment or whatever job they seek next. Throughout his career, my dad was subject to unsafe working conditions and described how hard it was to walk away from the job, knowing that his family relied on his income. This highlights the importance of our agency in leveling the playing field, ensuring all employers are providing safe working conditions and fair wages.??

Who inspires you to do your work????

My children inspire me to do my best each day. I want to set the same example of hard work that my parents instilled in me.??

What is your favorite part about your job???

I love meeting workers in many different industries and interacting with multiple workforces. I genuinely learn something new daily, so my job never gets boring.??

What advice would you give to other investigators???

My best advice is to embrace the fluid environment and diversity of the job. In the beginning, it can be overwhelming, but over time, you will find your rhythm and learn to love the complexity and variety of every investigation.?

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