Is Use It or Lose It Vacation Illegal in California?

By Anna Duncan

Are you an employee in California who has unused vacation time? Are you worried about losing it at the end of the year? You may have heard of the “use it or lose it” policy, but is it legal in California?

What is “Use It or Lose It” Vacation Policy?

The “use it or lose it” vacation policy is a common practice among employers. This policy requires employees to use their accrued vacation time within a certain period, usually by the end of the year. If they do not use it, they lose it and cannot carry over the remaining time to the next year.

Is “Use It or Lose It” Policy Legal in California?

California law considers earned vacation as wages that cannot be taken away from employees. Therefore, any policy that results in forfeiture of earned vacation time would be illegal.

According to California Labor Code Section 227.3, employers must compensate employees for all earned and unused vacation days upon termination of employment. The law also states that employers cannot have a “use it or lose it” policy for vacation time.

However, employers can place a cap on how much vacation an employee can accrue. Once an employee reaches this cap, they will stop accruing additional vacation until they use some of their accrued time.

How Can Employees Protect Their Vacation Time?

Employees should keep track of their accrued and used vacation days throughout the year. They should also review their employer’s policies regarding vacation accrual and usage.

If an employer has an unlawful “use it or lose it” policy, employees should speak with HR representatives or management to address the issue. If necessary, employees can file a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “use it or lose it” vacation policies are illegal in California. Employers must compensate employees for all earned and unused vacation days upon termination of employment. Employees should keep track of their vacation time and review their employer’s policies to ensure compliance with California state law.