Wage Theft Recovery: A Checklist for Your First 30 Days

The first 30 days after you decide to pursue a wage theft claim are the most important. This checklist gives you a clear sequence of actions.

The 30-Day Checklist

Days 1-3: Gather all pay stubs, time records, and employment documents you have. Days 4-7: Reconstruct your hours and calculate what you were owed vs. what you were paid. Days 8-10: Send a PAGA notice to the LWDA if systemic violations are involved. Days 11-15: Draft and send a demand letter to your employer. Days 16-20: File a DLSE claim if the employer doesn’t respond. Days 21-30: Prepare for the DLSE settlement conference — organize documents, practice your presentation.

The demand letter and PAGA notice can run simultaneously. Sending the demand letter before filing the DLSE claim sometimes produces a quick settlement — avoiding the DLSE process entirely. But the PAGA notice must be sent regardless of whether you settle individually, because PAGA claims require the notice period to be completed before any civil action can proceed.

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. Request your free evaluation here.