If you are employed and living in California, your employer is required to provide you with itemized pay stubs (either paper or online) for every pay period that you have worked. Many of us simply check the amount earned when receiving a paycheck and never look further. What most people don’t realize is that there are very specific items that your company is required to list on each pay stub. Failure to do so is an infraction that could eventually lead to more money in your pocket. This issue is more common than you may realize!
Take a minute to review your pay stubs. Oftentimes, the codes used by employers are so confusing that the employee cannot even ascertain what she is being paid for. Not sure what you’re looking at? We can help! Contact Carter Law Firm of Newport Beach for a free and confidential consultation. We will analyze your pay stubs to see if there is a claim worth pursuing. You work hard for your money, and your itemized pay stub should properly reflect that!
What Must be Listed on a Pay Stub?
California Labor Code § 226 requires California employers to provide an itemized wage statement which must include:
- Gross wages earned
- Total hours worked
- Certain information for employees paid on a piece-rate basis, if applicable
- All deductions made from wages
- Net wages earned
- Pay period beginning and ending dates
- Employee’s name and identifying information (last four digits of social security or other legal forms of identification)
- Complete name and address of the legal entity that is the employer
- All applicable hourly rates
What Are Common Pay Stub Mistakes That Employers Make?
One very common mistake that employers make is not taking into account that different states have different rules when it comes to paystubs. If the employer is located in multiple states, they must adhere to the regulations of each state’s labor laws according to the location of the employee. There is no “one size fits all” approach.
Employers may neglect to list the total hours worked, the rate of pay applicable to each set of hours (whether straight time or overtime), or the correct pay period dates. An employer also must correctly list bonus payments, accrued sick time and PTO, and meal period premium pay. You should also check to make sure that the employer’s address and complete legal name are listed. It is common for employers to list something other than their legal name, such as the name under which they do business.
If you believe your employer may have made a mistake on your pay stub, our trustworthy and reputable firm can help. Carter Law Firm obtained the #29 Top Class Action Settlement in the United States in 2018. Based in Newport Beach, we have been consistently rated as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Settlements Labor and Employment Law practice. Fill out our form below to get started.