I quit today with no notice. When does my employer have to pay me?
Within 72 hours. If you quit without notice your final pay is due within 72 hours; if you gave at least 72 hours' notice, it is due on your last day. If you were fired or laid off, it is due immediately. Late final pay can trigger waiting-time penalties of up to 30 days' wages.
The deadline turns on how the employment ended, not on the employer's payroll calendar. "You will get it on the next payday" is not a lawful answer in any of the three situations above.
Final pay includes everything owed — regular wages, overtime, and any accrued unused vacation or PTO, which is treated as wages in California. Missed-break premiums count too, and are frequently the piece that gets left out.
The waiting-time penalty accrues at your daily rate for each day the payment is late, up to 30 days. It is separate from the wages themselves, so it is possible to owe far more than the original cheque.
If you quit without notice, you can ask for the final pay to be mailed, and the postmark date is what counts for the deadline.
Last reviewed 2026-08-09. Informational only — not legal advice. California rules change; confirm against the current source before acting.