WORK EXPENSES

Under California Labor Code section 2802, employers must reimburse employees for necessary expenses incurred while doing their job. If you paid for work tools, your phone, mileage, or safety gear out of pocket and were never reimbursed, that money is owed to you, plus interest. Failing to reimburse these expenses can entitle workers to back pay and legal action.

Worker filling up gas to travel to different work sites.

Some examples of expenses that an employer may be required to reimburse include:

Unreimbursed tools or equipment: If you were required to buy tools, uniforms, safety gear, or other equipment for your job and your employer never paid you back, that's a violation.
Personal phone or internet use: If you're required to use your personal phone or home internet for work, such as texting a schedule, checking work email, or using an app for deliveries, your employer must reimburse a reasonable portion of that cost.
Mileage not reimbursed: If you drive your own vehicle for work duties, not including your regular commute, you're entitled to reimbursement for that mileage.
"Part of the job" excuse: If you were told an expense was just "part of the job" or a cost of employment, that doesn't make it legal. Necessary business expenses belong to the employer, not the worker.
Delayed or partial reimbursement: If your employer eventually reimbursed you, but late or for less than you actually spent, you may still be owed the difference, plus interest.