What remedies are available to an employer who fails to pay an employee their wages?

As we explained in Cuadra v. Millan (1998) 17 Cal.4th 855, 859, 72 Cal. Rptr.2d 687, 952 P.2d 704, if an employer fails to pay wages in the amount, time, or manner required by contract or statute, the employee may seek administrative relief by filing a wage claim with the commissioner or, in the alternative, may seek judicial relief by filing an ordinary civil action for breach of contract and/or for the wages prescribed by statute.