No, an employer in California has a legal obligation, without exception, to pay employees on the established payday even if a timecard is not submitted. Even without a timecard, an employer can pay all wages that it reasonably knows are due for the regularly scheduled work period.
May an employer change the payroll period to semimonthly (twice a month) and pay on the 10th and 25th of the month.
Yes, provided that the employer gives the employee prior notice of the change and meets legal payday requirements.