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Employment law

payday laws

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 New Jersey, the state's Wage Payment Law requires employers to pay wages to their employees at least twice a month on regularly scheduled paydays. Employers must establish and maintain regular paydays, and they are required to post a notice that shows the schedule of paydays. For employees who are terminated, whether fired or laid off, New Jersey law mandates that their final paycheck must be provided no later than the next regular payday. This also applies to employees who quit their jobs. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development enforces these regulations and provides guidance on the matter. It's important for both employers and employees in New Jersey to understand these requirements to ensure compliance with the state's payday laws.

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Articles

How to Handle Unpaid Wages and Recover Your Earnings

Whether due to an employer’s oversight, financial difficulties, or intentional wage theft, unpaid wages can create serious financial strain. Regardless of the cause, understanding the legal process of recovering unpaid wages is essential.

Understanding State Payday Laws: Your Rights as an Employee

Along with other standards, such as mandatory employment law posters, payday laws ensure that employees are paid fairly and regularly, protecting them from potential employer abuses.

New-Jersey State Code