Final Paychecks – When Are They Due? (2023)
A question I hear a lot is: “I just left my job, when is my employer supposed to pay me my last paycheck?” The answer is: it depends.
If you were fired or laid off
If the employer ended your employment — fired you, laid you off, eliminated your position, etc. — they must have your final paycheck ready for you on your last day of work.
If you quit – without notice
If you ended your employment — you resigned or you quit — without notice, then the employer must have the check ready for you within 72 hours AFTER your last day of work.
If you quit – with notice
But if you quit AND if you gave at least 3 days advance notice to your employer of when your last day of work will be, then the employer must have your final paycheck ready for you on your last day.
Some additional things to keep in mind about final paychecks
- The final paycheck must include pay for all hours you have worked, including any overtime and double time. It must also include payment of any unused vacation hours or PTO. Note, you are NOT entitled to be paid for any unused paid sick hours unless the employer’s policies or agreements with you say otherwise.
- The employer cannot make you wait until the next payday to give you your last check.
- The employer cannot attach any strings to your last check. For instance, the employer cannot hold back your check unless you agree to sign a bunch of papers, or unless you first turn in your keys and uniform, or unless you pay back the loan they gave you, or unless you pay for the damage you did to the company vehicle, or unless you first talk to the company’s lawyers, etc.
- If you ask the employer to mail the last paycheck to you at your home address, the employer must comply. They cannot force you to come to the office to come pick up your final check if you do not want to.
If your employer fails to give you your final paycheck on time
If your employer does not comply with the above, then they are the hook to pay you a penalty for each day they don’t pay you all of your final wages, up to a maximum of 30 days of your average daily pay. See California Labor Code Section 201 and Section 203. For most people, that ends up being 1.5 months of pay! The employer does have certain legal defenses to these penalties, but they are narrow and can be difficult to establish.
Above all, keep in mind, your final paycheck has special status under the law. If your employer has not given you your last paycheck on time, consider filing a labor board complaint. Also, consider talking things over with a lawyer as there could be more penalties that apply to your situation.
if my employer told us NOT to clock out or in for lunch that theywould be doing that for us, so after reviewing my time sheets i noticed they were clocking us as having worked 6 hours then taking lunch. Isnt it suppose to be taken at 5:50 the latest? So after recieiving a review and getting a .75 raise i decided i should let them know how i thought they were messing up concerning having us clocked as worked 6 hrs and what could be the problem and my experience of having gone thru this with previous employer. Well 2 weeks later they fired me saying my productions werent there and i stated that on my review they gave me till end of year to get those numbers up and their reply was that that was our thinking at the time. It was in writing in my review, also there was no warning about at all, which was also suspect. Luckily i had been downloading my timesheets. Also i downloaded a copy of my paystub 2 months prior and when i asked for copies from that copy DID NOT MATCH concerning my tax deductions from 6 months ago how can that be?
I put in my notice 7/10 that effective 7/14 would be my final day. They just notified me that I wouldn’t be receiving my final check until payroll has been processed due to having outstanding OT that needs to be approved by corporate. Shouldn’t they have notified me sooner to have it ready by today? They said I may receive my final check either on the 20th when the next payday would have been or potentially sooner. Are they in violation for not having it prepared today? Should I have not signed any documents regarding my final check?
I quit on Wednesday. Employee wants me to come in to sign paperwork for my check. I said I may be around. I confirm Friday that I am not coming or returning and they are threatening to keep it until I do.
Hello,
I left my job with a notice. I sent my notice to my manger on 3/31/23 with last day of 4/21/23. However, I physically left my job on 4/12/23 and used all of my PTO to covered until my last day. Until today 5/8/23 I haven’t received my last check. I reached out to HR on 5/5/23 and she said “Your last check was issued on 4/21/21 including your PTO balance. I can send you a copy of the earning statement if you would like”. So off course I asked how was it sent to me because I haven’t received it and I asked for a copy of the statement. But I never heard from her again…. What should I do…
I quit on Thursday morning and without notice around 6:47am and I would have started at 8am: but made the day prior my last day. By when should I receive my check ? I asked for him to mail it via text & signed letter I left in office.
In 2022, I gave my employer about a 10-12 day notice. My last day working was 12/23/21. They had hired my replacement about a week prior. I was never given a final check on 12/23 instead it was mailed to my house and received roughly a week later, even though the check was dated 12/23/21. I never pursued any legal action for pay penalties because I was dealing with a family matter and had forgotten about it. Today, 1/30/23, I received a w2 from that company for the amount of my last paycheck proving that they never paid me on time. Is there a statute of limitation to receive monies owed?
My employer placed me on a 30-day furlough due to lack of available work and the furlough period began on 11/30/22. My furlough letter specified that if my employment could not be restored after the furlough period, it would be considered a reduction of work force, which ended up being the case for me.
I waited two weeks before being paid for the last two days that I worked (11/28 & 11/29). I am not certain if this can be considered a late payment, since I was technically employed still, but just on furlough.
After the furlough period, I was paid for my remaining PTO balance on January 5, 2023, but was not provided with a paystub. I had to personally request for a payment breakdown. In the breakdown, I noticed that my employer applied a few deductions on that payment such as Dental, Vision, Health Insurance, HSA, and 401K.
Since I am no longer employed and cannot use that health coverage, are they allowed to make these types of deductions on my final payment that was comprised of my PTO hours?
My employer put me on unpaid administrative leave for 3 weeks. HR finally called, after 3 weeks, to let me know I am terminated. They terminated me over the phone! What is the law for that when it comes to me getting my money?
First off, nice post about California Labor Law.
I worked for two days then got into a car single car accident. So I didn’t reach out to my employer to inform them. After two weeks of waiting I got no letter informing me I was terminated and it’s been over three weeks and I still have not received my final check. When I called FX, they said it may be a week or two before I receive it. My last day was on the 20th and now it’s the 17th of the following month. Do they need to pay me for all that time waiting?
I previously worked around support services and gave my employer official written notice of resignation on 12/1/22 and my last day of employment was 12/9/22. I have yet to receive my final payment. Previous to my resignation, the office lost an investigation on my behalf against my supervisor for discrimination and harassment. I am unsure, but I believe they are taking their time because of the previous investigation. Are government agencies still held to the 72 hour rule?
I’ve given my 2 week notice and left my company but when I was supposed to get my final pay check, I checked my pay stubs and it said that I was paid but I never received the amount that I was supposed to be paid. I reached out to my operations manager and I was told it was in the mail along with another check, and that it was sent that day. Another week goes by and still nothing. I reached out to my operations manager again and told it was sent out. It wasn’t until I called HR and informed them of the situation. The next day (today) I get a call from my operations manager, that the other check was ready to be picked up at the office but the other check (more important one) was sent in the mail. It isn’t the first time they have screwed up my pay or my ex coworkers. I feel like I’m not going to get that final check, why should I do?
By chance, did you work for FedEx? Lol. Sounds exact situation I’m going through. Good luck : )
I was terminated and told i would get my check in the mail waited a week nothing came in,I went to the office and was told payroll was on a tuesday the 5th of november,I called again to see if my check was ready or mailed its been another week and nothing comes in what should i do?
I told my supervisor the day before my next shift that I had to part ways due to health issues and thanked them for the opportunity. This was on Wednesday 6/28/2013 in the evening and Thursday 6/30/2023 in the morning, I received a reply from my immediate supervisor saying thanking me and that I would be missed. The was no mention of my final check and I figured they would call within 3 days to tell me to come pick it up. It’s now 7/5/2023 and after I reached out to my supervisor about the check I was told it would be directly deposited. I responded by mentioning that 72 hours in the time frame for providing a final paycheck when someone quits and if she could telle when I should expect to see it. I offered to pick it up, or use a method like Cash App. She replied that “it is coming” and that was all. So I asked by what method to which she said direct deposit. I then asked when I could expect to see the funds to which I have yet to receive a reply. I guess my question is how should I move forward? I may send a screenshot of the final paycheck law but I want to remind on good terms and that seems kind of rude. Thoughts? Ideas?
I’m giving my 2 week notice any day now but there is a company holiday in that period will I get paid for that day?
Thank you
I quit my job Oct. 16th and payday was Oct. 21st. I haven’t received any follow up on how I’ll receive my last pay. As of today I haven’t been paid.
Last pay was Oct. 7th
i was removed from a project on 10/12/2022 but have not worked since 9/20/2022, do i still get a paycheck for those two weeks when i did not go in? my last pay was on 9/29/2022.
That really depends on what your agreement was with the employer. Perhaps you have a severance agreement, for example. But for the most part, the answer would be no.
I wish someone would answer the chats and my calls been trying too call since yesterday since I really need help
Rene69, I’m sorry about that. Please email me directly at ELEE@LOEL.COM.
My employer refuses to mail my last paycheck after I requested for him to mail it to me and is asking me to pick up in person.Is he breaking the law?
If you asked him to mail it to you, then yes, he is breaking the law. He must comply with your request.
I quit my job effective immediately on 9/28/22. It’s already 10/18/22 and my last check did not received yet. I requested them to mail it. They said they mailed my check on the 1st and did not received yet. Last week I contacted them and they said I will get my check today but nothing. Nad they said they’re not violating waiting time because I requested my check to be mailed. Is this true? How about if I really need the money, do I really wait for this long and blame the delivery mail.
A couple of things. First, stop calling them. Do everything in writing – emails or texts. Otherwise, you have no proof of what was said. Second, they are wrong. They have 72 hours after your last day of work — if you quit — to get you your check. There are no extensions because you asked them to mail your check to you. I’d be happy to discuss this further with you. Just fill out the form at the top right of this website, or use the chat function.
The 3rd of this month I have my notice that my last day would be 7th, I worked as planned and I haven’t received my pay, today is the 11th
The employer is in violation. Feel free to contact us to discuss this further.
So if my boss gave me a “final check” that still doesn’t include previous unpaid wages or overtime… does waiting time penalties still apply?
The short answer is “yes”. The longer answer requires knowing a lot more information. We’d be happy to discuss this further with you.
Where do county jobs fall in line? I left a county job at the end of August have yet to see a final paycheck.
I’d contact your Union!
My Son got terminated from his job at a school district. They told him he would get paid at end of month like usual. I thought when your terminated you need to get paid that day. What can he do?
I am in the same situation as your son and was told this due to asking about the labor laws this was my HR’s response to me.”You are correct about the Labor Code provision for private employers. However, as a public educational institution, we are governed by Ed. Code that mandates final pay must be paid within 30 days.” So I am guessing schools don’t abide by the same laws.
As pointed out by someone else, public schools are subject to different deadlines.
My employer fired me (8/24/22) because he cancelled work for the week (M-F) which he’s done 3 times so far within 6 months, after the third time I found work for myself that week (M-F), after I told my employer he suddenly found work for Wednesday (8/24/22) and required me to come in to work after I already found work for myself for the week, since I was not able to make it back that week for work after having said there was no work for the week he decided to fire me. Now he’s accusing me of not turning in my work jacket and won’t give me my finally paycheck even though I turned in my jacket, key, shirts, and hat. It’s 9/6/22 now and i have yet to get my final paycheck after turning in all my stuff/uniform.
We’d be happy to assist you with this. Our number is 213-992-3299. That sounds like a violation.
I gave my 2 week notice on 8/22/22 that my last day would be 9/3/22. I asked if I could work my last two weeks and they said yes. On 8/28/22 I was told not to come in for the rest of my shifts. When should I have my final check by? Today is 8/31/22 and I have yet to receive it…..
In your scenario, you were basically fired on 8/28/22. Therefore, your check was due on 8/28/22. It sounds like they are in violation.
I got fired for an accident another worker caused. They fired me instead if him since he’s been there 2 years and treats the job like it’s his life. I didn’t get paid right away like this article said I should and it’s been 3 days already and nothing. Is there a time period I need to wait or what should be my next step
They have to pay you on the same day they fire you. If that hasn’t happened, that is a violation. You should consider filing a wage claim. We’d be happy to assist with that. Our number is 213-992-3299.
Hello, I gave my employer a 28 day notice before resigning. My last day was 8/11/22. They asked if I wanted my final paycheck to be given in-person or mailed. I asked them to mail it. It is not 8/31/22 but I still have not received my paycheck. I contacted the HR and he claimed that they processed the check on my last day. But I saw my paystub for the check that I was supposed to receive on my Gusto account and saw that the payday said 8/16/22. What should I do?
typo: It is now*
You can file a wage claim. We’d be happy to discuss it with you. Our number is 213-992-3299.
I gave a notice of resignation gave a ten day notice. I asked for direct deposit my last day of work was 8/26 I didn’t receive a copy of my paystub and still waiting for my deposit is August 30,2022. I don’t know who to do Hr takes a long time to reply to any emails.
That is a violation. We’d be happy to discuss it with you. Our number is 213-992-3299.
I was terminated 08/16/2022. I’ve asked for my check and nothing is getting done. Today is 08/29/2022. Should I speak to a lawyer?
I would recommend doing that. We’d be happy to talk. Our number is 213-992-3299.
I notified my employer on Wednesday (8/24/22) that I was resigning from my position effective September 15, 2022. Shortly after sending that email, I was completely booted out of the system and I wasn’t able to do any work. When I attempted to log on – I was told that all my access to all the systems I needed to forward critical information before I left was removed. Essentially, while I said my last day was September 15, they “terminated” me as of August 24 (the day I gave my notice). In response, I emailed them and said that due to recent events, my last day would be August 24 and that I needed my last pay check as well as my PTO within 72 business hours.
I received my final paycheck on 8/25/22 but they didn’t pay me out the PTO I did accrue during the 3 months I was with them. I did email them to notify them that I needed the PTO to be paid out as well but they haven’t responded. Do I have rights to ask for the unpaid PTO? According to my paystub of my final payroll – I have almost 40 hours of unused PTO …
I think you are correct based on the scenario you’ve described. But I’d have to know more to give you a definitive answer. There may be an argument that the last check is already 1 day late. Feel free to give us a call at 213-992-3299 to discuss further.
If my employer terminated me due to job abandonment and I was unable respond to them regarding final pay, do they have to automatically mail me my pay?
The answer really depends on the specific facts of your situation. In general, when you are terminated, your employer must provide you with your last check. They are required to make the check available for pickup at your usual work location. However, when it becomes apparent that you can’t or won’t pick up your check, I think there is a strong argument that your employer should then mail your check to your last known location. However, the answer is very situation-specific. I would need to know more about your situation.
Are public school districts exempt from last paycheck laws? I have to wait a month for mine as if I don’t have bulls due
If someone’s last day is a friday,and they gave notice, how is an employer able to get them their check Saturday if the system isn’t closed for Friday until end of day and the office is closed on the weekends?
That is a gray area in the law, but I believe there is caselaw stating that days when the business is closed wouldn’t count. In your example, however, because the employee gave (presumably 72-hours) advance notice they were quitting, the last check should have been made available to the employee on their last day of work.
I was told on a Friday afternoon (Jul 15) that I was terminated, effective in two weeks. I told my employer the following Friday(Jul 22) that I would not be returning for the final week. A check was mailed to me the following week (dated the Monday after my last day, Jul 25). I deposited the check in a bank ATM on Jul 29, and was informed on Aug 9 that the check was refused for insufficient funds. My bank also stated that there would be a $20 bank fee related to the bounced check. What is my best recourse here? What am I entitled to under the law?
That would appear to be a violation of a number of laws. But I would need to know more about your situation. I would invite you to give us a call to discuss this further at 213-992-3299.
I had put in my two weeks and on my last day working there I was scheduled to work only 5 hours? Like what someone please tell me there isn’t a limit of hours you can work on ur last day of putting ur two weeks in! 😬😒
I informed my boss 06/22/22 would be my last day I gave her a week notice, I was told I would receive my check Wednesday 06/26/22 now I’m being told I have to wait until Friday for payroll to send out all the checks. I’m so irritated now because I can’t get anything I need I’m order to start my new teaching job.
I quit my job for favortism and unfair treatment due to my supervisor hired her friend and gave her friend a favorable job position than mind. i quit on 06/25/2021 and payday was on Friday the 07/01/2021. I asked if they could please mail my check and they stated yes but i have not got my check yet. So i called today and Ruby in the business office stated that i could not recieve my check until i spoke with my supervisor
If you quit without advance notice, the employer must provide you with your last check within 72 hours after your last day. The employer does NOT have the right to withhold your last check or require you to do or sign anything in order to get your last check. It sounds like your employer is already in violation of the law.
Been 2 month after leaving my former employer and I gave a week noticed of my termination with the company. I’ve got a call about my last check, but it’s inaccurate they aren’t paying me my earned vacation time, been there for 8.5yrs. I’m well over the accrue mark. I mentioned this to them and HR was hesitant to give me payrolls number. Still haven’t received last check. It’s been about two month just five days ago I got the call.
Your employer has violated the last check laws. You should consider filing a wage claim. We’d be happy to assist with that. You can call us at 213-992-3299.
i had an employee quit via e-mail on Sunday, i didn’t get the e-mail till Monday morning, when does the 72 hour start when you are Mon-Fri office
I think you’d have a very good argument that the 72 hours starts on Monday, not Sunday, when you were closed. But remember, the employer gets 72 additional hours only if the employee quit WITHOUT notice. If they quit and gave at least 72 hours of advance notice, then the last check would be due on Monday, not 72 hours later.
I worked at a really high capacity restaurant. I was hired on as a server but once I got into the restaurant and left my previous place of employment they made me a food runner and refused to switch me. Then they offered me a 90 to 120 day trial to possibly get up to the point of server but even then it wasn’t guaranteed. I didn’t feel this was fair because I was hired on as a server and they financially displaced me from my previous place of employment. I went in today to go pick up my final check and they still didn’t have it ready. I was terminated on the spot on May 23 due to me bringing up my concerns with me food running. It is now June and they didn’t have it today. I’m not really sure what I should do because it’s been almost a month now.
I was told that I was going to get the payment at a later date. But to much of my confusion when I went into go get it not too long ago they said they didn’t even have a check for me. So I am just confused as to what should I do at this point and what should be my next steps
I was fired at the end of my shift on (6/10) and was told to pick up my check today (6/17) but they said to come back on (06/20) because it wasn’t ready and I just said “ok” but I am owed more due to the Waiting Time Penalty?
I quit without 72 hours notice on 5/17. I still haven’t been paid my final check which was due to be paid 5/31 (state employee). Now HR says it’s on their desk and they’ll release it when they receive the keys back. If I formally request it to be mailed, they must comply or pay the penalty, correct?
Unfortunately, most government employers in California are exempted from late last check penalties, otherwise known as waiting time penalties.
I resigned and gave 2 weeks notice, I communicated with the owner (the 70+employee company has no HR) the day before my final day to make sure everything was in order for my final check. No paycheck on my last day. I got a direct deposit today (scheduled payday) for the normal 2 week period. Does not include my final week or banked PTO. Reached out to the owner who said Tuesday I could come pick it up. I requested it be mailed, she declined. It’s an hour from my home.
I sent her the labor law codes on this and she said she has 72 working hours after my last day and it’s a 4 day weekend.
If you resigned and gave 2 weeks notice, then the last check was supposed to be delivered to you on your last day worked, NOT 72 hours later. The employer gets an additional 72 hours ONLY if you quit without 72 hours of notice. But here, you gave 2 weeks notice. Your employer was supposed to mail the check to you if you requested it. The employer is in violation of several laws here.
I was offered a position as a delivery associate for one of the companies contracted with Amazon that delivers their packages. Passed all the tests, background, drug lab, motor vehicle do records search. Started my drivers training class at the Amazon Facility by Amazon employees and I thought it was fine. Although I fell asleep in the class a couple times on the first day. No problem, I mean the info was boring and I tried to stay awake, honestly. I kept a good attitude through it. It’s just a formality before I get to start the job I was hired for. Small/big details: this was a PAID training, and I was participating in this training without having completed any new hire/I-9 paperwork at all. I have documentation that I am an employee (Documentation of correspondence from employer/ Paid Training Invitation. Vest, employee badge) One of the instructors saw me dozing off, never gave me a chance to explain why or if she could help me with anything. She basically told me to leave the grounds and find another employer. That upon review, she canning me because I should be farther along than I am in the curriculum. Behind in watching videos, really? Anyways I kept a good attitude and didn’t Become argumentative with her because she humiliated me by verbally dismissed me and threw me off the campus and told me to find another employer. She doesn’t have the authority or the right to do and say such things about working for this company. My compensation for at least my two days of paid training were not provided or offered. Anything said and done on the campus is documented by Amazon eyes and ears everywhere site monitoring. Meanwhile, the owner of the company who hired me has gone silent, when I expressed my desire to bring a grievance for not being afforded “due process” regarding her unceremoniously marching me off campus for dozing in class. Basically using language and actions that convey the message that I am no longer to work there nor am I welcome there, instructing me to go find another company to work for. (Her Words). Please tell me that this legal and well within her rights to treat me like this, send me on my way with no pay.
Is LA Metro exempt from the last check laws? My wife resigned without a 2 week notice. It has been gone 3 weeks since she left. She left because of favoritism and harassment and her former boss has not even processed her paperwork to HR. If there is no penalties, and they are exempt from last check laws. At what point should we consider getting legal help?
My employer scheduled me on my scheduled day off. That is part of my availability. I worked at a restaurant. I agreed to work only in national holidays should it fall on my scheduled day off. As a favor. Mother’s Day came, Mother’s Day is not a national holiday. They scheduled me to work and I informed them that that is not part of my availability. They said if I don’t go in they will consider that my resignation. I informed them that I have kept my promise to work all national holidays. Mother’s Day is not a national holiday, I have other commitments on that day since it’s not a national holiday. And I couldn’t go in. I called to get my schedule for the week, and they informed me I’m not in the schedule anymore. I did not quit. I was let go. First, they haven’t sent my last paycheck even though I’ve asked them to mail it for the last 2 weeks. And second, I had to file for unemployment and I believe they’re informing EDD that I resigned. I was very clear with them in that day. I said, I am not quitting, you scheduled me against my availability, and I can not go in. If I don’t get scheduled then you have let me go. And that’s exactly how that happened. Now EDD says I am be ineligible because it was considered a resignation.. what should I do? And still no check in the mail.
I’m sorry to hear that happened to you. First, it sounds like the employer owes you a late last check penalty, otherwise known as a waiting time penalty under Labor Code section 203. If such is the case, you need to file a wage claim. We’d be happy to discuss that with you. You can call us at 213-992-3299. Second, regarding the EDD UI denial, you should seriously consider appealing the decision as what you’ve described very much sounds like a termination, not a resignation. You will likely need to act fast as the deadline for UI appeal is very short.
I quit my job without 72 hr notice this Monday. I’m my resignation email I stated to let me know when the check was ready as I will pick it up along with my sales license. It is now Thursday, over 72 hrs and no one replied to my resignation email or let me know the check is ready. I texted someone who works there in business office she said the check was mailed certified yesterday, Wednesday. I won’t receive it for another 1-5 business days. No one communicated it was ready as I stated I’d pick it up, instead they mailed it and let
Me know the breakdown of my
Hours and commissions were not included (part of why I resigned is they were fraudulently adjusting my clock in/out without my knowledge). Am I able to request a difference check if for some reason there is a discrepancy on the check they supposedly mailed?