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When must a California employer pay a fired employee's final wages?
Immediately. Under section 201(a) of California's Labor Code, if an employer discharges an employee, the wages earned and unpaid at the time of discharge are due and payable immediately. A narrow exception covers seasonal layoffs in the curing, canning or drying of perishable fruit, fish or vegetables, where payment within a reasonable time, not exceeding 72 hours, counts as immediate.
Sources
- California Labor Code, section 201 (Payment of Wages)leginfo.legislature.ca.gov (California Legislative Information) · checked 17 August 2026
Related questions
- What is the seasonal exception?
- Section 201(a) treats an employer as having paid immediately where a group is laid off at the end of seasonal work curing, canning or drying perishable fruit, fish or vegetables, provided payment comes within a reasonable time not exceeding 72 hours.
- Can the employee be paid by mail?
- In that seasonal case, section 201(a) provides for payment by mail to any employee who requests it and gives a mailing address.
What this answer does not cover
- This page covers discharge under section 201(a). An employee who resigns is dealt with elsewhere in the Labor Code and is not covered here.
- This is California law only. Final pay deadlines differ by state.
