Most states have laws that require employers to pay employees their wages with some minimum frequency—usually either twice a month (semi-monthly) or every other week (bi-weekly)—and some states require weekly or monthly payment of wages.

These laws are known as payday laws and also dictate when an employee who has been fired/terminated or quit must be paid their final paycheck—in some states, immediately; in some states within a certain number of days; and in some states on the next regularly-scheduled payday.

Payday laws vary from state to state and are usually included in a state’s statutes—often in the labor code or other statutes governing employer-employee relations.

In Connecticut (CT), the state's payday laws require employers to pay their employees on a regular basis, which can be weekly or bi-weekly, depending on the occupation. For most employees, Connecticut General Statutes Section 31-71b stipulates that wages must be paid weekly and within eight days after the end of the pay period. However, after obtaining a waiver from the Connecticut Labor Commissioner, employers may pay their employees on a bi-weekly or semi-monthly basis. When an employee is terminated or quits, Connecticut General Statutes Section 31-71c requires the employer to pay the employee's final wages by the next business day if they are fired, or the next regular payday if they quit. These regulations ensure that employees receive their earned wages in a timely manner and provide clear guidelines for the final payment of wages upon termination of employment.