Work & Employment · Pay and hours
Final paychecks and pay stubs
In this guide
- An employee who is fired is owed all final wages immediately.
- An employee who quits without notice is owed final wages within 72 hours.
- Late final pay can lead to waiting time penalties of up to 30 days’ wages.
When final pay is due
- Fired or laid off: all final wages, including earned vacation or paid time off, are due immediately at the time of termination.
- Quit with at least 72 hours’ notice: final wages are due on the last day.
- Quit without 72 hours’ notice: final wages are due within 72 hours.
California treats earned vacation as wages. It cannot be forfeited under a “use it or lose it” policy, though employers can set reasonable caps on accrual.
Waiting time penalties
If an employer willfully fails to pay final wages on time, it can owe a penalty equal to the employee’s daily wage for each day the wages are late, up to 30 days.
Pay stubs
Employers must give an itemized wage statement with each paycheck showing gross and net wages, hours worked, pay rates, deductions, and the employer’s name and address. Current and former employees can request copies of their payroll records.
Time frames
- Fired or laid off: final pay immediately
- Quit without notice: final pay within 72 hours
- Waiting time penalty: up to 30 days of wages
Official sources for this guide
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