If you suspect or know that your employer is illegally withholding wages from you, there are a number of steps you can take to protect your rights as an employee:
Secure Detailed Information: You have every right to ask your employer for a detailed breakdown of the money you're being paid including reimbursements and commissions. If this information is not being provided and you have questions about your paycheck, you can ask for a detailed account of how your employer is calculating your pay. If your employer refuses to provide that information, document it. If the refusal was in writing, be sure to save the document.
Document Everything: Once you become aware of the problem of illegal withholding, be sure to document all your earnings and the amount you were actually paid. It would also be a good idea to document all conversations you have with your supervisor and other parties such as human resources about the unpaid amount.
Talk to Human Resources Personnel: It is the job of the human resources department to resolve any issues with pay discrepancies. Show the documentation you have about how much you earned and how much you got paid.
File a Wage Claim: You might be able to file a claim against the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), which has the power to investigate and hold a hearing on employee complaints about the violation of labor laws including unpaid wages.
File an Unpaid Wages Lawsuit: An experienced Los Angeles employment lawyer can help you file an unpaid wages lawsuit through which you might be able to collect back wages, attorney's fees, and court costs among other damages. If your employer's violation of California labor laws was deliberate, you might be able to receive double damages.