California - Payroll Check Distribution

[Norm]

Our company has a policy in our handbook that states our checks will be handed out at 1:30 to us at our desks every Wednesday(for the previous week's pay) and that they will not take any special instructions. They also have a policy that you can request an early paycheck a week in advance if you will be out. With my schedule I didn't have time to request the early paycheck so I asked if they could drop my paycheck in the mail since I will be out for paid time off. I was informed that it was a deviation from the cycle and it costs the company money so they would not do it. I thought that an employee is entitled to receive their paycheck within a certain amount of time by law(something I was told a few years ago when I was a Contractor)? Is that not the case? What would happen if I was out for an emergency? Can they still withhold my check and not make "special arrangements" just because it says so in our handbook?

Thanks!

[Gunn]

If you go pick the check up than they have to give it to you. I will allow a relative to pick it up if the employee calls and asks they be allowed to pick it up and the relative has to sign a release before I give the check to them. I also do not like to mail checks because they can get lost in the mail or someonce can get them and cash them. If the company offer's direct deposit it is a great way to have your check when you are suppose to have it. I will mail the check if the employee asks, but if it is lost than I am waiting the two weeks for my bank statement before I will replace the check and if someone takes it we are not responsible for theft if it is mailed. I have let all my employees know this. The reasons above are probably why they will not mail your check. It does cost the company money if it is lost and they have to replace it.

Shirley