What to do if you haven't been paid?

Asked by: Linnie Moen  |  Last update: May 15, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (50 votes)

But in general, you may do the following if you're not paid on time or on a regular basis:
  1. Contact your employer in writing and ask for prompt payment of the wages owed to you.
  2. If your employer refuses, file a wage claim with your state's labor agency or attorney general.

What to do if I haven't got paid?

Ask why you have not been paid. If you are in the United States, go to your local Labor Board or to the office of the Attorney General in the area where you work. Please have records of time sheets and work tasks you performed.

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

You should go to your employer and ask when you will receive your check and when you should expect future pay checks. If the employer cannot give a firm date and then meet that date, you can contact the State Labor Board if you live in the US. Most others nations have something similar too.

How do you deal with not being paid?

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. Each state has its own procedures for filing a wage claim, so you will need to contact your state's labor department for more information.

What to do when you are not getting paid?

Contact your employer (preferably in writing) and ask for the wages owed to you. If your employer refuses to do so, consider filing a claim with your state's labor agency. File a suit in small claims court or superior court for the amount owed.

What to do if I haven't been paid UK?

16 related questions found

What if I haven't received my paycheck yet?

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 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.]

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 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 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.

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.

What if my work still hasn't paid me?

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.

How do I ask for payment not received?

Send a Brief Email Requesting Payment

Remind the client of any late fees included in your payment terms, and let them know you'll be charging interest on the overdue payment. Remind them of the different ways they can send payment, and reattach the original invoice to the email before sending it to the client.

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.

How do you follow up when you haven't been paid?

Follow up immediately

Start by sending a friendly email reminding them of the overdue invoice and asking when you can expect to receive payment. If you haven't received payment after a week or two, follow up again, and this time, send an updated invoice.

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.

Can I make a police report if someone owes me money?

It is not a crime per se, it is a civil tort issue. You have to sue the person to retrieve your money, the police can't help.. I sincerely hope that you have some sort of written agreement.

What if my job hasn't paid me in a month?

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 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.

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.

How long does an employer have to correct a payroll when it is wrong?

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 should I do if I didn't get 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 to do if you are not getting paid?

If you have not been paid your full wages, follow your organisation's policy for raising problems with pay. If there's no policy, raise the problem as soon as possible with your manager, payroll team or someone in HR. It's usually best to first raise the problem informally by talking with your employer.