Can employer's pay period manipulation disqualify me from EDD benefits?

To qualify for UI in California, you need to have earned at least $1,300 in one quarter of your base period OR at least $900 in your highest quarter and 1.25 times that amount in the entire base period. It's not about 'work weeks' but rather your total earnings during your base period (typically the 12-month period ending just before the last completed calendar quarter before you file). As for your employer combining pay periods - that's sketchy and could potentially impact your claim. EDD looks at your reported wages each quarter based on what employers report to the state, not necessarily what's on your paystubs. If you have paystubs showing when you actually worked, keep them! They'll be important evidence if there's any discrepancy.

had the same thing happen at my last job. boss was always moving hours around to avoid overtime. ended up screwing me on unemployment bc it looked like i barely worked some weeks. total bs!!!

This is actually a pretty serious issue. What your employer is doing could be considered wage manipulation and potentially fraud if they're doing it to avoid certain employer obligations. For UI purposes, EDD is most concerned with quarterly wages for establishing monetary eligibility, but the weekly pattern can matter for your weekly benefit amount once approved. I'd recommend documenting everything - when you actually work vs. how it appears on your pay stubs. If possible, keep a personal log of your hours. If you do end up filing for unemployment, be prepared to explain this situation during your phone interview (you'll likely get one if there are wage discrepancies). You might also want to report this to the California Labor Commissioner's Office as this practice could violate labor laws.

I think ur overthinking this tbh. EDD mostly cares about if u made enough money total not which exact days u worked. as long as ur employer isnt totally lying about how much they paid u overall u should be fine

Let me tell you something about EDD - they are IMPOSSIBLE to reach when you have issues like this!! When I had a similar problem with my employer's reporting, I spent WEEKS trying to get through to someone who could help. Called hundreds of times, always got the "we're experiencing high call volume" message and got disconnected. So frustrating! I eventually used Claimyr.com to get through to an actual EDD rep. Saved me so much time and headache. They have a system that basically waits on hold for you and calls you back when an agent is available. Here's a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/JmuwXR7HA10?si=TSwYbu_GOwYzt9km Whatever you do, make sure you have all your documentation ready when you do reach someone. The agent I spoke with was able to note discrepancies in my file, which helped when they processed my claim.

What your employer is doing sounds like pay period manipulation. While EDD primarily uses quarterly wages to determine initial eligibility, this practice could potentially affect: 1. Your weekly benefit amount calculations 2. Work search requirements based on partial employment 3. How your continued claims are processed if you're working part-time while receiving benefits If you plan to file for unemployment, I strongly recommend keeping a detailed work log with dates, hours, and tasks performed. Also retain ALL paystubs and any written communication about scheduling. When you file, be prepared to explain this situation clearly. You may need to request a determination interview to clarify your work pattern versus how your employer reported it.

Thank you all for your helpful advice! I'm going to: 1. Start keeping my own detailed work log with dates and times 2. Continue saving all paystubs and take screenshots of my work schedule 3. Request my wage and withholding information from EDD using that DE 8334 form 4. Consider reporting this to the Labor Commissioner if it continues One last question - if I do end up filing for unemployment and there are discrepancies between my records and what my employer reported, will this significantly delay my benefits? I'm worried about being able to pay bills if there's a long dispute process.

It could potentially delay your initial payment, but if you're otherwise eligible, you should eventually receive all benefits owed to you once the discrepancy is resolved. The key is having solid documentation. One more tip: when you certify for benefits, always report your work and earnings exactly as they actually occurred (not how they appeared on your paycheck). Be prepared to explain the discrepancy if questioned. If you need benefits quickly, make sure to complete all required certifications on time and respond to any EDD communications immediately. The faster you provide requested information, the less delay you'll face.