Do Companies Have to Pay Out PTO When You Leave? Yes. When an employee leaves a job in California, unused PTO is not optional pay. California requires employers to pay out any accrued vacation time upon an employee’s termination or departure. The PTO payout laws apply whether the employee quits or are terminated. The law…

Holiday pay refers to additional compensation provided by an employer for hours worked on recognized holidays. In California, there is no legal requirement for employers to pay a higher rate for holiday work unless the employee has already exceeded 40 hours that week and qualifies for overtime. While many employers offer paid time off on…

A bonus can be a large portion of a worker’s pay. They keep employees motivated throughout the year, and they can be cause for celebration at the end of the year when the bonus is paid. But many employers avoid paying out the bonus come year-end. This can create a significant financial setback for a…

For many workers in the service industry, tips make up a significant portion of their income. Whether they’re a server, bartender, delivery driver, or barista, service workers depend on the generosity of customers to supplement their wages.  Unfortunately, some employers may engage in unethical, or even illegal, practices by taking a share of employee tips.…

With remote work becoming more widespread, millions of workers across the United States are navigating employment laws from outside a traditional office setting. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in February 2025, approximately 37.29 million people in the U.S. teleworked or worked from home.  California labor laws still…

In California, employers are generally allowed to make adjustments to employee timecards, but only under specific, lawful circumstances. Adjustments must reflect accurate working hours and cannot be made to deny employees their rightful pay, including overtime. California Labor Code Section 204 requires employers to pay employees for all hours worked, and intentionally altering timecards to…

In California, if employees use their personal vehicles for work-related tasks, employers are generally required to compensate them for the associated costs, like mileage reimbursements. This requirement is rooted in California Labor Code Section 2802, which mandates that employers reimburse employees for any “necessary expenditures” they incur to perform their jobs. This can cover a…

In California, the concept of “reporting time pay” is designed to protect employees who report to work as scheduled, only to find out that they are not needed for their full shift or are sent home unexpectedly. California reporting time pay, outlined in California’s wage orders, requires employers to compensate workers for some of the…