The Last Mile: Collecting on a DLSE Judgment

Winning a DLSE claim produces an order — but the order must be collected. Employers who don’t pay voluntarily require additional enforcement steps. California has specific tools to collect on unpaid DLSE judgments.

Collection Tools

Once a DLSE order becomes final, it can be converted to a superior court judgment and enforced like any other civil judgment. Available tools: wage garnishment on the employer’s bank accounts, lien on the employer’s real property, levy on the employer’s equipment and inventory, and — in some cases — personal liability of the business owner if the corporate form was used to avoid paying wages.

The DLSE can help with collection. The Labor Commissioner has authority to assist workers in collecting DLSE judgments. Workers who have won and cannot collect should contact the Labor Commissioner’s office for assistance. The agency can pursue additional enforcement remedies — including posting a bond requirement — against employers who routinely violate and fail to pay judgments.

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.