Content review pending. Confirm current rules, deadlines, and contacts with your school or the official provider.
Employer Won't Pay Me
Browser only. No account or device sync. Clearing browser data can remove bookmarks.
You have legal rights to fair payment for your work. Wage theft is illegal, and there are resources to help you recover what you're owed. Check whether BC employment standards cover your work and what filing deadlines apply before waiting for an informal response. Unionized or federally regulated work may use a different process.
✓What to Do Now
Document everything
Gather pay stubs, time records, employment contract, and all communication about pay.
Review your employment agreement
Check what payment terms were agreed upon (hourly rate, salary, commission structure).
Calculate what you're owed
Make a detailed list of hours worked and amounts unpaid or underpaid.
Contact your employer in writing
If appropriate, send a factual written request for payment and keep a copy. Do not let informal discussions cause you to miss a complaint deadline.
File a wage claim
Use the official Employment Standards BC complaint page to check coverage, filing deadlines and the appropriate process. Do not wait for an employer reply if a deadline is approaching.
Check available legal advice
Ask Access Pro Bono or a school legal clinic whether they handle your issue. Check fees and eligibility; free advice or representation is not guaranteed.
📞Who to Contact
Employment Standards BC (ESB)
Legal Aid BC
Access Pro Bono
Your School's Legal Clinic
WorkSafeBC
🚩Red Flags
- ⚠️Employer asks you to work 'off the books' or 'under the table'
- ⚠️Paycheck bounces or is repeatedly delayed
- ⚠️Deductions you didn't agree to
- ⚠️Being paid less than minimum wage
- ⚠️Missing overtime pay that applies under the rules covering your work; check exclusions and applicable agreements
- ⚠️Employer refuses to provide pay stubs
- ⚠️Threats if you complain about pay
- ⚠️Tip deductions you do not understand; check the rules applying to your workplace
- ⚠️Being asked to sign papers 'waiving' wage rights
📝Templates
Click "Copy" to copy any template to your clipboard, then paste and customize it.
Formal Payment Request Letter
Wage Claim Summary
Request for Legal Advice
🎓Watch / Learn
BC Employment Standards: File a complaint
Check coverage, deadlines and current complaint instructions before waiting for an informal resolution.
Visit resource →WorkSafeBC: Refusing unsafe work
Safety reporting is distinct from a wage complaint. Follow the official safety process.
Visit resource →