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The Global Insight

What do I do if Im not getting paid

Author

William Harris

Updated on April 22, 2026

Contact your employer (preferably in writing) and ask for the wages owed to you. If your employer refuses to do so, consider filing a claim with your state’s labor agency. File a suit in small claims court or superior court for the amount owed.

How do you deal with not being paid?

  1. Check Your Employment Agreement or Manual. …
  2. Contact the Department of Labor. …
  3. Contact the State Labor Department. …
  4. Check with a Legal Services Organization. …
  5. Contact a Legal Clinic. …
  6. Consult a Lawyer.

Can I stop working if I don't get paid?

You need to look out for this when you are negotiating your contract. According to such a provision, you need to keep working even though you may not be getting paid. … If you don’t have a written agreement, or your agreement doesn’t explicitly prevent you from stopping work, you may be able to stop work.

What happens if you don't get paid on payday?

Per several California Labor Code sections and the state’s labor laws, an employer is subject to penalties if the employer fails to pay an employee on time. For example, as to regular pay, employees are charged with a $100 penalty if they fail to pay an employee on his/her regular payday.