A wage claim starts the process to collect on those unpaid wages or benefits. An employer is permitted to withhold amounts of money from a paycheck for different reasons.In California, employers are prohibited from withholding an entire paycheck for any reason. However, they may withhold certain amounts for valid reasons. Employers in California are not allowed to pay their employees late, and if they do so, they may face legal consequences. For workers typically paid just twice a month, section 204(a) mandates businesses to garnish employee earnings within ten days after the last day of payroll. No, a company cannot withhold your paycheck if you quit. California's final paycheck law is a set of regulations that outline the requirements for employers to pay their employees their final wages upon termination. This means the employer must pay the employee regular daily wages for each day the paycheck is delayed, up to a maximum of 30 days. California employers generally cannot withhold pay as punishment.