What if I haven't gotten paid from my job?

Asked by: Grover Weissnat  |  Last update: May 1, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (30 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 Wage and Hour Division or the state labor department. The Department also has mechanisms in place for the recovery of back wages.

What if I haven't been paid from my job yet?

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.

What to do when you don't get paid from your employer?

File a Complaint: If your employer still refuses to pay, you can file a complaint with your state's labor board or the Department of Labor. They can investigate the situation and help you recover your wages. Seek Legal Advice: If all else fails, consider consulting with an attorney who specializes in employment law.

What should I do if I didn't receive my paycheck?

  • Contact your employer directly. The first step is to try to resolve the issue directly with your employer.
  • File a wage claim with the state. If your employer does not respond to your request or continues to refuse to pay you, you can file a wage claim with your state's labor department.

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

For any initial violation the penalty is one hundred dollars ($100) for each failure to pay each employee. For each subsequent violation or any willful or intentional violation the penalty is two hundred dollars ($200) for each failure to pay each employee, plus 25% of the amount of wages unlawfully withheld.

My employer routinely pays us late, what can we do?

28 related questions found

What to do when I don't get paid?

First, inform your manager who can help you identify if your issue is related to a pay transaction or a Human Resources matter.

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.

What to do if you haven't been paid?

It's usually best to first raise the problem informally by talking with your employer. This can help resolve it quickly if there's been a mistake. If you cannot resolve it informally, you can raise a grievance. This is where you make a formal complaint to your employer.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Can a job delay on paying you?

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 to say when you haven't been paid?

Call them if they still don't pay you

There's a chance they haven't read your emails or something occurred that prevented them from responding or making the payment. When calling, explain who you are, why you're calling and why they need to pay you. Keep a friendly tone and try again if they don't answer right away.

How long can a job take 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.

What to do if I haven't received my pay?

If your employer hasn't paid your wages or entitlements, you can:
  1. speak to your manager or supervisor.
  2. speak to your Human Resources section, if your workplace has one.
  3. speak to your union representative.
  4. make a complaint to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
  5. apply to the court.

What can I do if I don't get 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.

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

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.

Should I go to work if I didn't get paid?

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.

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.

Why didn't I get paid on payday direct deposit?

Whatever the reason, the best thing to do is contact your employer's payroll department. You can ask them to confirm whether or not you sent your payment information in time for processing and confirm that the bank account information they're using to route your paycheck is accurate.

What to do if I haven't got paid?

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 do I do if I'm not getting paid?

What to do when you haven't been paid
  1. 1 Review the terms of your contract. If you have a written contract, the first thing to do is to read it carefully. ...
  2. 2 Send a reminder. ...
  3. 3 Send a letter of demand. ...
  4. 4 Get help with dispute resolution. ...
  5. 5 Use a debt collection agency. ...
  6. 6 Take legal action.

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.