How much time do you have to claim unpaid wages in California?

If you recently discovered that your employer (whether former or current) has not paid you all the wages you rightfully worked for, it can leave a bitter taste. Some California employers ignore the correct procedures and don’t pay their workers the correct rate for overtime hours or don’t provide the meal and rest breaks required by law. After working for some years, it is possible that you are owed thousands of dollars in back wages that you have not received yet. 

What should you do?

There are time limitations in California on how far back you can go for unpaid wage claims. You have up to four years, depending on the circumstances of the claim, to bring up a claim. The claim should go against a past or current employer if they didn’t pay your wages in their entirety. If you have doubts about whether you are entitled to a claim for unpaid wages, it’s best to receive the help of an employment law attorney. 

What is needed to make a claim

It is helpful to have supporting documents to make a successful claim. Those documents can include:

• Time records
• Paychecks that were bounced
• Proof of payment with incomplete wages (paystubs, paychecks)
• Notice of employment information

Keep in mind that unpaid wages can include unpaid commissions, vacations, and reimbursements of work expenses. 

An attorney can help with your legal representation and handle your claim to make sure that there are no mistakes in the process, and that your rights and interests are protected so you can recover the wages you deserve and worked for.