If the company policy is that the employee gets paid for unused vacation at the termination of employment, then the employer is legally required to pay it. Not having “tracking records” is not the employee’s fault, and the employer is still responsible.

The employee needs to contact their local Labor Board. As a last resort, they should get an attorney to sue the employer for the money, and aggravation and distress because they had to take them to court to get it. But, the Labor Board will most likely get it sorted out without having to go through an attorney. Keep in mind that there is a statute of limitations on suing - one or two years depending on the state you’re in. When the statute runs out, you lose the right to sue. So keep that in mind when considering getting an attorney - you’ll want to preserve your right to sue should the Labor Board not get your money for you.

The employer is not legally bound to pay for unused vacation pay. If the employer’s handbook states that you are entitled to unused vacation pay, then you can collect it. Otherwise, it’s just lost. This is why some people use up their vacations before quiting their job.

IN the US, try the National Labor Relations Board