EmploymentQuestion 1026 of 1605
A contractor willfully fails to pay a discharged employee's final wages on time. Under Labor Code §203, the employer may owe a 'waiting-time penalty' equal to:
a.Triple the unpaid amount immediately
b.Nothing, because final pay timing is only a suggestion
c.A flat $100 regardless of the delay
d.The employee's daily wage for each day the wages are late, up to 30 days
Explanation
Labor Code §203 imposes a waiting-time penalty when an employer willfully fails to pay final wages on time: the employee's daily rate of pay continues as a penalty for each day the wages remain unpaid, up to a maximum of 30 days. This makes prompt final pay important when firing workers.
Law Reference: Labor Code §203Practice all 1605 questions free — no signup required.
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Reviewed by Abraham Chen — Licensed California General Contractor (CSLB License #1101856 — verify)