What if my boss doesn't pay me on time?

Asked by: Wiley Windler  |  Last update: July 3, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (68 votes)

What can I do? A. You can either file a wage claim with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (the Labor Commissioner's Office), or bring an action in court against your former employer to recover the wages if they are still due you, and to claim the waiting time penalty.

What happens if my boss doesn't pay me on time?

Contact your employer in writing and ask for prompt payment of the wages owed to you. If your employer refuses, file a wage claim with your state's labor agency or attorney general. File a complaint with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.

What happens if I don't get paid on payday?

According to California Labor Code 210, employers who fail to pay workers on time are subject to financial penalties. Penalties are extra fines that California imposes on your employer for violating your rights as an employee. They aim to deter your employer from illegally withholding wages in the future.

What happens if my employer keeps paying me late?

Contact your local Department of Labor office and make them aware that you are not being paid on time. If it is illegal, they will contact your employer and notify them of the potential penalties and federal laws associated with paying employees late.

Is it illegal to get paid for hours you didn't work?

It is not illegal to not get paid for hours not inputted, which is a combination of the employer and employee's responsibility.

What Legal Actions Can I Take if My Employer Doesn't Pay Me?

27 related questions found

Can I sue my employer for not giving me hours?

A: In California, employment laws protect workers from discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace. If you believe that you're being discriminated against at your job, particularly because of your race, or that your reduction in hours is a form of unfair treatment, you may have grounds to take legal action.

Can you sue your boss for paying you late?

Yes, you can. In California, employers must pay their employees by specific deadlines. If they don't, you have the right to file a wage claim or lawsuit.

What if my job keeps delaying my paycheck?

Many states require employers to pay hourly employees every week. If your employer continues to pay late despite your best efforts to resolve the matter, you have the right to file a complaint with the appropriate government agency. Seeking legal counsel can also help you handle late wage payments.

How long does a company have to correct a payroll error?

For example, California Wage Law includes penalties for late paychecks or underpayment mistakes. Employees in California are entitled to a full day of wages at their regular rate for each day it takes their employer to fix the mistake (up to a total of 30 days).

What if my paycheck didn't arrive on time?

If the employer still does not pay and violates the employment relationship, the California employee may file a claim with the California Labor Commissioner's Office. Furthermore, if an employer willfully fails paying wages, the employee may be entitled to penalties under California law.

Can you refuse to work if not paid?

If your employer hasn't paid your wages

You can check how to talk to your employer about a problem. If the problem happened recently, it's usually best to carry on working while you try and get your employer to pay you. If you refuse to work, you might be breaking your contract, so your employer might dismiss you.

What if my boss forgot to pay me?

If the regular payday for the last pay period an employee worked has passed and the employee has not been paid, contact the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division or the state labor department. The Department also has mechanisms in place for the recovery of back wages.

What happens if payroll is submitted late?

Frequently asked questions about payroll tax penalties

If employers fail to deposit employment taxes with the IRS on time, they may be subject to the following penalties, depending on the number of days payment is past due: One to five days late results in a 2% penalty. Six to 15 days late results in a 5% penalty.

What is the 7 minute rule in California?

Our employment attorneys have found that employers typically round to the nearest 15 minutes or quarter-hour. This allows for the “7 minute rule,” where: the first 7 minutes to the increment, 1 through 7, are rounded down, and. the final 7 minutes, or 8-15, are rounded up.

Can my boss make me stay late and not pay me?

However, this doesn't mean employers have free rein to keep employees past their scheduled shifts without consequences. California labor laws stipulate that non-exempt employees must be paid for all hours worked, including overtime if applicable.

What can I do if my employer keeps paying me late?

If your employer is paying you unreasonably late or not paying regularly, you may need legal help. An attorney can inform you of your rights under state payday laws and assist you in pursuing what you are owed. To learn about your options, contact an experienced employment law attorney in your state.

How long can an employer legally hold your paycheck?

If you're shown the door at work, California law doesn't let your employer keep your final paycheck hostage. You worked hard for that money, and they've got to cough it up right away. In fact, if you're discharged or laid off, Labor Code Section 201 is crystal clear: all wages are due immediately.

What to do if job messes up your paycheck?

Contact your employer or payroll department, explain the specific problem, and provide supporting documentation such as timecards or records of hours worked if available. Request a correction. Ask your employer to correct the mistake and issue a revised paycheck. Keep records.

Can you get your boss in trouble for not paying you?

Laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) protect workers' rights for fair compensation and establish guidelines for things like minimum wage and overtime pay. Violation of these laws constitutes wage theft which can be grounds for a lawsuit against an employer.

Why is my paycheck late?

If you have a late direct deposit, there are several possible explanations, such as bank holidays, processing errors, incorrect bank account information, payroll processing timelines, and other delays.

Is being late a fireable offense?

Although "Absence," "Tardiness," and "Notice" are separately discussed in this section, it should be noted that an employee may be discharged for being absent or late for work, as well as for failure to notify the employer of the absence or tardiness.

What to do when your boss cuts your hours?

If your employer cut your pay or hours without notice, they may have violated your state's laws regarding advanced notice. A wage and hour attorney in your area can give you the best advice about state law and strategies for bringing a claim.

Is it illegal for an employer to take away hours?

Because California is an at-will employment state, employers can cut employee hours or pay. However, employers cannot punish workers and break an employment contract, if one is in place, and they cannot cut your pay for illegal reasons, like discrimination or retaliation.

What to do if my job is not giving me hours?

A: You can contact the California Labor Commissioner, who will investigate and take action if necessary and appropriate. You should prepare a chronology of the events, list all your witnesses and keep all your important documents, which you will copy and make available for their investigation.