What can I do if someone hasn't paid me?

Asked by: Christop Jakubowski  |  Last update: February 24, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (17 votes)

If someone hasn't paid you, start with gentle reminders and check for invoice issues, then escalate to a formal demand letter, consider mediation, or take them to Small Claims Court; for unpaid wages, report it to the Department of Labor (DOL) or state labor board, as legal action and debt collection agencies are other options for serious cases, always documenting everything.

What to do when somebody doesn't pay you?

Consider sending a formal demand letter outlining the owed amount and repayment history. If ignored, you may file a small claims lawsuit depending on your jurisdiction's limits. Keep records of any partial payments or related expenses, such as insurance payments, to support your claim.

What are my rights if I have not been paid?

Bring a claim for an unlawful deduction of your wages at the Employment Tribunal. You must submit your application within three months less one day of the date the wages were due to be paid. You can claim for the breach of your employment contract at either the Employment Tribunal or County Court.

What can I do if I worked for someone and they didn't pay me?

Workers in California have the right to file a wage claim when their employers do not pay them the wages or benefits they are owed. A wage claim starts the process to collect on those unpaid wages or benefits. Wage claims can be filed online, by email, mail or in person.

How long can a paycheck be late?

An employer generally must pay you on your established payday, with federal law (FLSA) requiring payment "when due," typically the next scheduled payday after work is performed, but state laws set specific frequencies (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.) and define what constitutes a "reasonable" delay, with many states imposing penalties for late payments, like daily penalties for willful delays, or immediate payment for final wages upon termination. 

What To Do if a Client Doesn't Pay You

36 related questions found

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

If you don't get paid on payday, first contact your employer to resolve it, but if unresolved, it's a serious issue leading to potential penalties for employers, including paying back wages plus damages (often double), and you can file a wage claim with your state's labor department or consult an employment lawyer to recover your money and assess financial hardship. 

What should I do if I get paid late?

If an employer does not pay workers, they will be in breach of contract. A worker could make a claim for: any wages owed. any losses they have suffered as a result of non-payment or late payment (for example, bank charges)

Can you refuse to work if you haven't been paid?

Yes, you generally have the right to refuse further work if you haven't been paid, as payment is the agreed-upon exchange for labor, but it's wise to communicate professionally, document everything, and understand it might lead to termination, so consulting your state's Department of Labor or a lawyer is key before stopping work, as wage theft is illegal but employers might still fire you. 

Who do I contact about not being paid?

If you're not getting paid, first talk to your manager or HR, then escalate to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) (DOL) or your state's labor department for federal/state wage claims, and gather documents like pay stubs and timesheets; consider a lawyer if needed. 

What is the 3 month rule in a job?

The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where both employer and employee assess fit, acting as a trial to see if the role and person align before full commitment, often involving learning goals (like a 30-60-90 day plan) and performance reviews, allowing either party to end employment more easily, notes Talent Management Institute (TMI), Frontline Source Group, Indeed.com, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). It's a crucial time for onboarding, understanding expectations, and demonstrating capability, setting the foundation for future growth, says Talent Management Institute (TMI), inTulsa Talent, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). 

Can my boss get in trouble for not paying me?

Yes. If your employer has not paid you according to California wage laws or the terms of your employment, you may have the right to take legal action. Employees generally have two main paths: filing a wage claim with the California Labor Commissioner or filing a civil lawsuit in court.

What should I do if I'm not getting paid?

If you don't get paid, first talk to your manager/HR about potential errors, documenting everything; if unresolved, file a wage claim with your state's Department of Labor (or U.S. DOL) and the Federal DOL, gather proof (timesheets, contract), and consider a lawyer, but be aware a company failing payroll might be closing, so also look for new work and potentially unemployment benefits. 

How do I report someone to HR?

Make sure to specify in a written complaint the type of behavior you find objectionable or the mistreatment you have experienced. If you believe the conduct was unlawful or based on a protected characteristic such as race, sex, gender or disability, make sure to include these protected reasons as well.

How to get money back from someone who won't pay?

5 Ways to Get Someone to Pay You Back

  1. Have a Conversation. Initiate a conversation with the person who owes you money. ...
  2. Offer a Payment Plan. The non-payer may be able to pay back their debt in installments instead of all at once. ...
  3. Accept Other Forms of Payment. ...
  4. Put Your Request in Writing. ...
  5. Consider Legal Action.

What to do when someone owes you money and ignores you?

  1. Send a Demand Letter.
  2. Can You Go to The Police If Someone Owes You Money?
  3. Using Empathy As a Way of Getting Paid Back.
  4. Ask For Repayment Directly.
  5. Offer a Payment Plan.
  6. Brainstorm Together Other Creative Ways to Get Paid Back.
  7. Think About Going to Mediation.
  8. When All Else Fails, Consider Going to Small Claims Court.

What is the 4 hour rule in CT?

The Connecticut "4-hour rule" (also known as Reporting Time Pay) requires employers in specific industries (like retail, hotels/restaurants, cleaning, laundry) to pay employees for at least four hours at their regular rate if the employee reports to work as requested but is sent home early or has their shift canceled with little notice, even if they don't work the full time, with exceptions for emergencies or if the agreed-upon shift was less than four hours (in which case they get paid for the full short shift). This ensures minimum compensation for showing up, preventing employers from arbitrarily cutting short shifts without paying for the time invested. 

Who to contact if I don't get paid?

If you're not getting paid, first talk to your manager or HR, then escalate to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) (DOL) or your state's labor department for federal/state wage claims, and gather documents like pay stubs and timesheets; consider a lawyer if needed. 

Who do I contact if I haven't gotten paid?

If you're not getting paid, first talk to your manager or HR, then escalate to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) (DOL) or your state's labor department for federal/state wage claims, and gather documents like pay stubs and timesheets; consider a lawyer if needed. 

What is an example of wage theft?

Failure to pay: Employers may deny wages altogether. For example, if an employee is fired and his or her last paycheck is withheld.

What is the 7 minute rule for employees?

The "7-minute labor law" refers to a Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guideline allowing employers to round employee time to the nearest quarter hour (15 minutes), where 1-7 minutes late/early is rounded down, and 8-14 minutes past the quarter is rounded up, ensuring that over time, all time worked is paid, preventing systematic underpayment, though some states like California have stricter rules, banning meal period rounding and requiring more precise tracking. 

What happens if I work and don't get paid?

Contact your state's labor department , and let them know that you haven't been paid in X weeks, and that your employer is refusing to give you a reasonable explanation. If they wanted to, your employer could hand-write the paychecks and give them to you.

What proof do I need for unpaid wages?

Employer information, including the company name and contact information. Personal information, including your name, date of birth, contact information, and employee information, when applicable. Supporting documents, including time records, paystubs, paychecks, employment information, or union agreements.

What can I do if I'm not being paid on time?

If your employer doesn't pay you on time, first document everything, then communicate directly with your employer/HR; if that fails, file a complaint with your state's labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)'s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), and consider consulting an employment attorney for legal action, potentially including small claims court for unpaid wages and penalties. 

What if my job hasn't paid me in 2 weeks?

Federal U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division

For complaints and information related to the FLSA such as minimum wage or overtime, you can contact the Wage and Hour Office to ask about the law or file a complaint. You can also call WHD's toll-free helpline: 1-866-4US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243)

What do you do if you are not paid by your employer?

If your employer doesn't pay you, first document everything, then communicate in writing with your employer, and if unresolved, file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) or your state labor department, as these agencies investigate wage theft and can help you recover owed wages. You can also consult an employment lawyer, who might help you sue for back wages, potentially recovering more than the original amount owed.