I was fired and was not paid within 48 hours. What now?

That’s right. Under BC’s main employment standards law, an employer has to pay a worker the wages and vacation pay they’re owed within 48 hours of firing them. (The law sets a different deadline — six days — when the worker quits.) This rule only applies to workers covered by employment standards law. Check this guidance to confirm you’re covered.

If you haven’t been paid what you’re owed, there are steps you can take. 

First, try raising it with your employer directly. They may have simply forgotten to send your final pay cheque. Or they may not know the law requires them to pay fired workers within 48 hours. Stay calm and polite, and don't assume your employer meant to do wrong.

You can reach out in person, or by phone or video call. Remind them that you haven’t been paid the wages you’re owed. Let them know you understand your right to be paid within 48 hours. You can point them to the law, linked above. Here are tips for having a conversation with your employer. 

If talking to your employer doesn't fix the problem, consider writing a letter. Describe your concerns and explain what you want to happen. You might say something like:

Under the Employment Standards Act, I’m entitled to all the wages I was owed, within 48 hours of losing my job. It has been more than a week since I was fired, and you still haven’t paid me. [Change this to fit your situation.] I’d like to discuss this with you as soon as possible.

Here are tips for writing a letter to your employer.

If your employer still won't pay you what you're owed, you can make a formal complaint to the Employment Standards Branch. This option is open to workers covered by BC's main employment standards law. Check this guidance for the steps involved. Keep in mind there's a time limit: in most cases, if your job has ended, you must file your complaint within six months of your last day of work.