How the PAGA Notice Process Works — Step by Step

The Private Attorneys General Act notice process is one of the most powerful tools available to California workers — and it’s underused because most workers don’t know how to trigger it.

The Notice Requirement

Before filing a PAGA lawsuit, a worker must send written notice to both the Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) and the employer. The notice must describe the facts and theories of the alleged violations. The LWDA then has 65 days to notify the worker whether it will investigate. If it declines or doesn’t respond, the worker can file a civil lawsuit.

The PAGA notice letter is the key that unlocks the process. A properly drafted notice describes each Labor Code violation, identifies the time period, and identifies the affected employees. Workers who send effective notices — even without an attorney — position themselves well for the litigation or settlement that follows.

The California Wage Theft Recovery System gives workers the exact tools and templates to document violations, calculate what they’re owed, and file the right claims at the right agencies — without paying an attorney to get started. Request your free evaluation here.