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California Employment Law Glossary

Final Paycheck Laws
Wage & Hour

 

Definition


 

When a California employment relationship ends, the employer faces strict statutory deadlines for delivering final wages. Employees who are discharged must be paid immediately. Employees who resign with at least 72 hours' notice must also be paid immediately; otherwise, the employer has 72 hours. Missing these deadlines triggers daily waiting time penalties of up to 30 days of the employee's daily wage.


Frequently Asked Questions

If you're fired or laid off, your employer must pay your final wages immediately. If you quit with at least 72 hours' notice, you're also owed immediate payment; without that notice, your employer has up to 72 hours.

Waiting time penalties equal your daily rate of pay for each day your final paycheck is late, up to a maximum of 30 days. These penalties are paid on top of the wages themselves.

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Final paycheck delays expose employers to significant penalties. A free case review can tell you exactly what your employer owes.
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This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights. Laws change - for advice specific to your situation, contact our office for a free case review.