{"id":357800,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:29","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/losing-a-job\/last-paycheck-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-01-18T11:21:00","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T16:21:00","slug":"last-paycheck-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/losing-a-job\/last-paycheck-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Last Paycheck Laws: When Do I Get a Paycheck After Leaving a Job?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Last Paycheck Laws: When Do I Get a Paycheck After Leaving a Job?<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

State and federal laws govern how quickly employees get their last paycheck. Sometimes, it depends on whether an employee quits their job or their employer fires them or lays them off.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Federal law establishes a minimum rule. State laws vary on how soon your employer must pay you after you leave your job<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Employers who break these rules usually do so out of ignorance. But they’ll still face stiff penalties for noncompliance.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains when to expect your final paycheck after leaving your employer and what to do if your former employer disregards the law. If you need help with final paycheck laws, talk to an attorney<\/a> about unpaid wage claims.<\/p>\r\n

State and Federal Last Paycheck Laws in General<\/h2>\r\n

The federal law that governs wages and hours is the Fair Labor Standards Act<\/a> (FLSA). This law, enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), governs issues with employee pay. The FLSA offers protection to most Americans.<\/p>\r\n

There are three ways you can fall under the umbrella of the FLSA<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n