Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers can help you if you work in Tacoma and you’re not being paid properly. While the vast majority of pay issues happen to you while you’re employed, it can even happen to you if you’re fired or quit. Your final paycheck is due to you within a certain period of time, and if you don’t get it, you have options that we can help you with. Contact us today to set up a free consultation to learn more about these options.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Just because it’s rather obvious when you aren’t given your final paycheck on time, you still might find yourself in a position where you’d need a lawyer. Legally speaking, your employer has to give you your final paycheck by:
- Your next regularly scheduled payday.
The truth is, you can try to handle it on your own, but having Ferraro Vega in your corner can take a lot of stress off your shoulders and help make sure nothing gets overlooked. Here’s how we can help:
- Break down how Washington’s wage laws apply to your situation
- Help gather the records that show what you’re owed
- Deal directly with your employer to try and resolve things quickly
- File a lawsuit on your behalf if they won’t pay what they owe
Losing a job is hard enough without wondering how you’re going to pay rent or keep food on the table. If your employer isn’t doing what they’re supposed to do, we’re here to help you hold them accountable and start moving forward.
What Should I Do If I Think I Haven’t Been Paid on Time?
If your last day of work has come and gone–but your final paycheck hasn’t–Washington law is clear: your employer has to pay you by your next regular payday. It doesn’t matter if they forgot, ran out of money, or claimed there was a delay. You still have the right to be paid on time, but even when you clearly haven’t, you still need to take certain steps to get yourself ready if you have to take further action. Usually, this means:
- Start gathering records – The first thing you should do is pull together anything that shows what you were owed and when. That includes paystubs, direct deposit records, timecards, copies of your work schedule, or even emails about your hours or pay. If you were paid by check, save a copy or a photo of it–especially if it bounced. The more documentation you have, the better.
- Keep track of your hours and pay – Even if your employer didn’t give you a formal schedule or track your hours properly, your own records count. Write down the days and times you worked, how much you were supposed to be paid, and when you expected your final check. You can use a notebook, your phone, emails–whatever helps create a timeline.
- Talk to your coworkers – Ask around to see if anyone else is having the same issue. If your coworkers also didn’t get their final paycheck–or were paid late–it could show a pattern. This not only strengthens your claim but might also support a class action if others have also not been paid on time.
- Talk to your employer – Sometimes, a quick conversation can clear things up. If you feel safe doing so, ask your former employer (or HR) why the final paycheck hasn’t been given out. Keep the conversation professional and, if possible, get any responses in writing–email is best. If they say it’s coming, ask for a specific date. If they’re avoiding the issue or giving vague answers, it might be a sign that you have to move forward with a claim.
Obviously, every situation is different even if the circumstances are the same. The law is on your side, but it also requires you to have a strong foundation for a claim, and taking these steps will allow you to do that.
What Are My Legal Options If I Haven’t Been Paid My Final Paycheck?
It’s incredibly tough to be in a situation where you aren’t paid on time, even if you don’t work at your job anymore.
- Labor & Industries Complaint – L&I is the state agency that handles wage complaints. You can submit a claim online or by mail. Once they get your complaint, they’ll look over the details to decide if your employer violated the law. If it looks like they did, L&I may open an investigation and schedule a settlement meeting so both sides can talk it out.
If things don’t get resolved at that stage, L&I will make a formal decision. Either side can appeal, but there are strict deadlines–so it’s important to act quickly once you get a ruling.
- Civil lawsuit – If L&I doesn’t get the results you need—or if you’d rather go straight to court—you can file a lawsuit against your employer. This process takes longer but might help you recover more than just your unpaid wages. Depending on your case, you could also get:
- Liquidated damages, which is extra money added on top of what you’re owed, kind of like interest
- Court costs and legal fees, with your employer being made to cover these
And if your coworkers were shorted too, you may be able to file as part of a group or class action. Just one important note: Washington’s statute of limitations usually gives you three years from the date your wages were due to file a lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, you may lose your chance to take legal action–even if the law is clearly on your side.
Contact Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers If You’re Missing Your Final Paycheck in Tacoma
In Tacoma, your employer has a legal duty to pay you on time after your job ends. If they don’t, that’s a wage violation–and you don’t have to deal with it alone. At Ferraro Vega Employment Lawyers, we help Tacoma workers stand up for the pay they’ve earned. If your final paycheck is missing or delayed, contact us for a free consultation.