Vacation Pay and Unpaid Wages

In California, earned vacation time is treated like earned wages. In other words, once you have earned vacation time, you own it. An employer is required to pay you all vacation time due at the end of your employment, regardless of whether you resign or are fired.

If an employer does not pay you for all of the vacation time that you have earned at the time your employment ends, you may be eligible to collect penalties from the employer.

Similarly, if an employer does not pay you all the wages that are due at the time that he or she terminates you (or within 48 hours if you quit), you may be eligible to collect penalties from the employer.

California law provides that an employee who is not paid all wages due at the time of his or her termination can collect up to 30 days of his or her salary as a penalty against the employer.

If you have a question about your legal rights, or wish to speak to an attorney about your situation, please call us today at 510.444.4400, or contact us online to discuss your legal rights.