What happens if you work and don't get paid?
Asked by: Domenico Ferry | Last update: December 9, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (18 votes)
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
What happens if you don't get paid for a job?
If you are covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and have a claim that you were not paid your wages or appropriate overtime pay, then you should contact the Department of Labor Wage and Hours Division (DOL), which can investigate your claims.
What is it called when you work but don't get paid?
Wage theft occurs when an employer doesn't pay an employee the benefits they've earned, be it wages or other benefits such as a lunch break; it is illegal. Employees can file complaints against their employers to the Department of Labor and, depending on where they live, the department of labor in their state.
What to do if a job hasn't paid you?
Report discrepancies right away. Advise the company as soon as possible if your paycheck is short or missing. If you don't get paid promptly, you can file an unpaid wages claim with the state or federal Department of Labor.
Can you refuse to work if you haven't been paid?
Legally, you may have the right to refuse work if your employer hasn't paid you, but this can vary by state. Always seek legal advice before taking such actions.
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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 can you do if you are not paid?
First, inform your manager who can help you identify if your issue is related to a pay transaction or a Human Resources matter. [Animation of two employees facing each other and talking.]
What if I quit my job and my employer hasn't paid me?
If your former employer hasn't paid your outstanding wages on your regular payday after leaving a job, and you've failed to remedy the situation with your former employer, contact your local Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division office to file a complaint. A DOL official will assist you with the process.
What do I do if someone doesn't pay me for a job?
Report Unpaid Wages
If you believe you are a victim of wage theft, you can file a complaint and report your unpaid wages to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. When you do so, include information about your pay, job title, hours and other information from your pay stubs.
Can you be an employee and not get paid?
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees must be paid at least the federal minimum wage for all hours worked—and if they work more than 40 hours per week, employers are required to pay them at least one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay.
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 to do if your paycheck is short?
Talk to your boss, or to human resources: Approach your employer as a group, if possible, and let them know your paychecks are wrong and you want the pay you are due, ASAP. You're not asking for a raise or something extra; you're insisting that you be paid what you are owed.
Can you get paid without a job?
There are lots of ways to make money without a job, like blogging, taking paid online surveys, and selling products through an online store.
How long can an employer hold your first paycheck?
You can expect to receive your first paycheck on the first employee-wide payday after a company hires you. The exception to this is if you are hired after the company completes payroll processing for their team, in which case those extra days may be added to the next pay period.
What if I haven't gotten paid from my job?
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.
How long does a job have to pay you?
How Long Does an Employer Have to Pay You After You Quit in California? If you leave your employment with no prior notice, you are owed your paycheck within 72 hours of your final day of work. If you provide at least 72 hours' notice prior to your final day of work, you are owed your paycheck on that day.
Can a job sue you for quitting?
The employer might agree to terminate this employment relationship only for specific reasons. On the other hand, the employee might agree to provide notice before quitting. If the employee violates this agreement and quits without the required advance notice, the employer could sue them for breach of contract.
What do I do if I dont get paid for work?
To pursue your own claim for unpaid wages, you should file a wage claim with the Labor Commissioner's Wage Claim Adjudication Unit, in addition to filing a BOFE report. A notice of your wage claim will be sent to your employer. CALIFORNIA LABOR LAWS PROTECT ALL WORKERS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.
What can I do if someone hasn't paid me?
If you can't come to an agreement personally, you can try a mediation service. If they still refuse to pay, don't let the situation get heated. Depending on how much you are owed, there are legal routes you can go down. This includes making an official demand, issuing a County Court claim, and much more.
What do I do if I'm not getting paid?
- 1 Review the terms of your contract. If you have a written contract, the first thing to do is to read it carefully. ...
- 2 Send a reminder. ...
- 3 Send a letter of demand. ...
- 4 Get help with dispute resolution. ...
- 5 Use a debt collection agency. ...
- 6 Take legal action.
Do you legally have to be paid on payday?
In California, wages, with some exceptions, must be paid at least twice during each calendar month on the days designated in advance as regular paydays.
What happens if you quit before payday?
Since you gave at least 72 hours prior notice of your intention to quit, quit on the day given in the notice, and did not receive your wages until 15 days later, you are entitled to a waiting time penalty in the amount of 15 days wages; the number of days between the date you were required to be paid and the date you ...
Can a company close for a day and not pay employees?
So if an employer shuts down the office for any reason, including inclement weather, the employer is not required to pay a non-exempt employee for that day because the employee did not in fact work.