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Wage & Hour Issues:
Overview of Connecticut Wage Payment Requirements

Weekly Pay Requirement

• Each employer shall pay weekly all moneys due each employee on a regular payday, designated in advance by the employer, in cash or negotiable check or, upon the employee's written request, by credit to the employee's bank account. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71b(a).)

• The end of the pay period for which payment is made on a regular payday cannot be more than eight days before such regular payday. If the regular payday falls on a non-work day, payment must be made on the preceding work day. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71b(b).)

Waiver of Weekly Pay Requirement

• The Labor Commissioner may, upon application, permit the employer to establish paydays less frequently than weekly. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71i.)

• Request a wavier online

Payment of Wages Upon Termination of Employment

• If an employee voluntarily terminates employment or is suspended as a result of a labor dispute or is laid off, the employer shall pay all wages due on the next regular payday. If an employee is involuntarily discharged, all wages are due no later than the next business day following the date of discharge. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71c.)

• If an employer policy or collective bargaining agreement provides for the payment of accrued fringe benefits (i.e., paid vacation, holidays, sick time, personal time, earned leave) and an employee is terminated without having received such accrued benefits, the employer shall pay the employee for the accrued benefits (except for normal pension benefits) as wages in accordance with the agreement or policy. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-76k).

Withholding of Wages

• No employer may withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages unless:

1. The employer is required or empowered by state or federal law (i.e., income tax withholding); or

2. The employer has written authorization from the employee for the deduction on a form approved by the Labor Commissioner; or

3. The deductions are authorized by the employee, in writing, for medical, surgical or hospital care or service (i.e., health insurance premiums).

(Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71e.)

• As a practical matter, this law prohibits employers from holding an employee's final paycheck pending return of company property or from making deductions from the final paycheck unless such deductions fall within one of the categories listed above.

• For a sample letter to request the Labor Commissioner to approve a form for wage deductions, click here.

Employer to Furnish Certain Information At Time of Hire

• Each employer shall advise his employees in writing, at the time of hiring, the rate of remuneration hours of employment and wage payment schedules and make available to his employees either in writing or through a posted notice, any employment practices and policies or change therein with regard to wages, vacation pay, sick leave, health and welfare benefits, and comparable matters. (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71f.)

To view the Connecticut Department of Labor's summary of state wage payment laws, click here.

© 2003 Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA). All rights reserved.

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