No deductions are allowed against an employee’s final paycheck, even if the employee has consented to it. California law states that a worker’s unpaid wages are due and payable to the employee immediately after their discharge. This final paycheck has to be free from any deductions or setoffs. For public policy concerns, California state law exempts certain wages from garnishment by creditors. Case law applies this exemption to any part of wages owed to employers by their employees. Employers can face waiting time penalties for intentionally failing to pay these wages immediately.