Does My Employer Have to Pay Me My Accrued Vacation if I Quit?

By Anna Duncan

If you’re thinking of quitting your job, you might be wondering about your accrued vacation time. Will your employer have to pay you for the time off you’ve earned? The answer to that question depends on a few factors.

First, it’s important to understand what accrued vacation time is. When you work for a company, you’ll typically earn a set amount of vacation time per year or pay period. This amount is often based on how long you’ve been with the company and/or your job title.

As you work, you accrue (or earn) that vacation time. For example, if you earn two weeks of vacation per year and have been with the company for six months, you’ll have accrued one week of vacation time.

So, what happens to that accrued vacation time if you decide to quit? Again, it depends on a few factors.

Company Policy

The first thing to consider is your company’s policy on accrued vacation time. Some companies have policies in place that state they will pay out any unused vacation time when an employee leaves the company. Others may only pay out unused vacation time under certain circumstances (like if the employee is laid off or fired).

If your company does have a policy in place that states they will pay out unused vacation time when an employee quits, then you can expect to receive payment for any accrued vacation time when you leave.

State Law

In some cases, state law may come into play when it comes to accrued vacation time. Some states require employers to pay out unused vacation time when an employee leaves the company – even if there isn’t a specific policy in place.

For example, California law requires employers to pay out any unused or accrued vacation days when an employee separates from the company – regardless of whether they quit or were terminated.

If you live and work in a state with laws like this, then your employer will likely be required to pay out any accrued vacation time you have when you quit.

  • Know your state laws regarding accrued vacation time before quitting your job.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are some exceptions to the rules around accrued vacation time. For example, if you’re quitting because you’ve been fired or laid off, your employer may not be required to pay out unused vacation time.

Additionally, if you’ve taken more vacation time than you’ve actually earned (i.e. you took three weeks of vacation but had only accrued two), your employer may not be required to pay for that extra week.

It’s also worth noting that some companies may have different policies in place for salaried versus hourly employees. Salaried employees may be entitled to a payout of unused vacation time when they quit, while hourly employees are not.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning on quitting your job and have accrued vacation time, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your company’s policy and any state laws that may apply. By doing so, you’ll know what to expect when it comes to receiving payment for the unused time off you’ve earned.

Remember: knowledge is power! Take the time to do your research and ensure that you’re being treated fairly when it comes to your hard-earned vacation time.