California Unpaid Wages Demand Letter

What is a California unpaid wages demand letter?

An unpaid wages demand letter is a written request that an employer pay wages you legally earned but have not received. It works best when you can show the hours worked, the agreed rate, and what you were actually paid, because federal and state wage laws strongly favor employees and often add penalties on top of the wages owed.

When to send one in California

• Your employer did not pay you for all the hours you worked.
• You worked overtime but were not paid the required overtime rate.
• You left or were let go and never received your final paycheck on time.
• Earned commissions, bonuses, or accrued vacation were withheld.
• Your paycheck bounced or had unlawful deductions.

How to write a California unpaid wages demand letter

1. 1

   Calculate exactly what you are owed

   Add up unpaid regular hours, overtime at the correct rate, commissions, bonuses, and any accrued pay owed under your state’s rules.

2. 2

   Gather your wage records

   Collect pay stubs, timesheets, your offer letter or contract, and any schedules or logs showing the hours you worked.

3. 3

   Identify the correct deadline

   Note your state’s rules for final paychecks and regular pay timing, since penalties often hinge on how late the payment is.

4. 4

   Address it to the right person

   Send it to the owner, HR, or payroll contact, and use the employer’s correct legal entity name.

5. 5

   State the facts and the amount

   Lay out the period worked, the rate, what you were paid, and the exact unpaid balance.

6. 6

   Make a demand with a deadline

   Demand payment of the specific amount by a firm deadline, commonly 7 to 14 days.

See the full step-by-step guide and all 8 steps in our unpaid wages demand letter guide.

Sample California unpaid wages demand letter

Copy and fill in the [bracketed] fields — or let the generator do it for you with your California details pre-filled.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email] · [Your Phone]

[Date Sent]

[Employer Legal Name]
[Attn: Owner / HR / Payroll]
[Employer Address]
[City, State ZIP]

RE: DEMAND FOR PAYMENT OF UNPAID WAGES

Dear [Recipient Name],

I worked for [Employer Legal Name] as a [Job Title] from [Start Date] to [End Date / "the present"]. I am writing to formally demand payment of wages I earned but have not been paid.

Specifically, I am owed [Amount] for [describe — e.g., "unpaid regular hours worked during the pay period(s) of [dates]," "overtime hours not paid at the required rate," "my final paycheck, which was due on [date] under [State] law," "earned commissions for [period]"].

My rate of pay was [rate]. Based on my records, including pay stubs and timesheets, the total amount of unpaid wages is [Amount]. A breakdown is enclosed.

I am demanding payment of [Amount] in full no later than [Response Deadline].

Please be aware that under [State] and federal wage laws, an employer who fails to pay earned wages on time may be liable for the unpaid wages plus additional penalties, which may include waiting-time penalties, liquidated (double) damages, interest, and attorney’s fees. If I do not receive payment by [Response Deadline], I intend to file a wage claim with the [State] labor agency and/or the U.S. Department of Labor, and to pursue all remedies available to me, including in court.

I would prefer to resolve this matter directly. Please contact me at [Your Phone] or [Your Email].

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

Enclosure: Wage calculation and supporting records

Evidence to gather for a California unpaid wages dispute

California unpaid wages demand letter FAQ