Anticouni & Ricotta | Leaders In Employment Litigation Serving Clients Throughout California.

Why are payday laws important to those in California?

On Behalf of | Aug 2, 2017 | Blog |

Whether you’re a teen or an executive in his or her 50s, you’re entitled to a paycheck that is timely. State payday laws are in place to make sure that businesses don’t delay payments to their employees.

If you work for a business with more than five employees, know that you should have received a written notice about your paydays and when to expect them. That information should include how your pay periods work, so you know the cut-off times for each paycheck.

Why are payday laws important?

Most states have payday laws because they protect employees. As an employee, you should receive a contract that states when you’re paid, whether it’s weekly, biweekly, monthly, semimonthly or on another schedule. In California, for example, farm laborers must be paid weekly on a designated day.

In California, the frequency of your paycheck will depend on your occupation. On the whole, California law only allows for biweekly or semimonthly payments except for in a few special circumstances.

What can you do if you’re not paid on time?

First, talk to your employer. You should do this in writing. You need to ask for the wages that are owed to you at that stage.

If your employer does not pay you in accordance with the law, you may be able to file a claim with the state. Then, if the employer doesn’t pay, you can file a lawsuit in small claims court for the amount owed to you.

If your case is particularly valuable or involves multiple late paychecks or payday laws, then you may want to take your case to a traditional court with the help of your attorney.

These are a few things to think about if you believe you’re not being paid on time or in the right amounts. Keep track of what you’re owed, so you can file a claim against your employer.

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