Missing wages, bonuses or vacation pay? How to get your employer to pay up

If your paycheck is short or your former employer still owes you money, you can ask labor officials to investigate without hiring an attorney.

The North Carolina Department of Labor recovered $3.7 million in unpaid wages for more than 2,000 workers during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2026, according to officials. Here’s how to seek help getting your own money back.

Start with the right agency

Where you file depends on what you’re owed.

For unpaid regular wages, a missing final paycheck, unauthorized deductions or certain disputes over promised bonuses, commissions and vacation pay, start with the North Carolina Department of Labor.

For unpaid overtime, minimum-wage violations or wages involving tips, the state directs workers to the U.S. Department of Labor. That includes unpaid-wage complaints that also involve overtime.

Gather proof of what you’re owed

Before filing, pull together your pay stubs, time records, employment dates and any emails or policies showing what your employer promised to pay.

Write down the pay periods involved, when payment was due and how much you believe is missing. You’ll also need your employer’s physical address and contact information, including the name of an owner, manager or supervisor. Federal officials say pay stubs and personal records of hours worked can help their investigation.

If you’re seeking vacation pay, a bonus or commissions, review the employer’s written policy. Whether the money was earned and whether a valid forfeiture provision applies can affect what you’re owed. Vacation payout is not automatically owed simply because you leave a job.

File your complaint

For a state wage complaint, complete the North Carolina Department of Labor’s online form. The department recommends using a computer or tablet because phones can cause submission errors.

You must file for yourself, provide all required information and wait until the payday has passed. Your complaint is not officially filed until you receive an email with a case identification number and a letter explaining the investigation process. Check your spam folder, too.

For help with the state process, call 1-800-625-2267.

For overtime, minimum-wage or tipped-wage complaints, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s complaint page or call 1-866-487-9243. The federal agency does not charge for filing a complaint or conducting an investigation.

Don’t wait

The state says it does not accept complaints for wages due more than one year ago or amounts below $50. Its wage bureau investigates work performed in North Carolina.

If you have already filed a lawsuit over the same wages, the bureau will not investigate that claim. An agency investigation also does not guarantee recovery, but filing gives officials the opportunity to examine whether your employer owes you money.