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Final paycheck deadline & waiting-time penalty.

California requires final wages on a tight clock — immediately for involuntary terminations, within 72 hours for most quits. When the employer is late, Lab Code § 203 imposes up to 30 days of wages as a penalty.

Enter the facts

How did the employment end?
Final wages paid?

Use the regular rate — annual salary ÷ 260, or hourly × hours/day.

Fill in the facts.

Termination type, last day, paid date or unpaid, and the daily wage rate.

Reference math, not legal advice. The waiting-time penalty under Lab Code § 203 requires willful non-payment — narrow good-faith disputes can avoid it. Penalty calculation also depends on the regular-rate calculation (commissions, bonuses, expense reimbursements). For cases where the math drives a real decision, confirm with Think Legal, P.C..

Late paycheck dispute?

We work both sides — recovery and defense.

Employees: we evaluate wage claims and pursue what's owed. Employers: we audit pay practices and defend wage-hour and PAGA claims.