Most employers choose to pay their employees either biweekly or semiweekly. Biweekly paychecks are sent out every two weeks, while semiweekly paychecks are sent out on the same two days every month.
Regardless of how your employer chooses to pay you, it’s important that they pay you on time at the end of every single pay period. If you’re ever not paid for one reason or another, you should spring into action right away to see what the hold up is.
For some people, a missed paycheck might be a minor inconvenience. But for the roughly 60% of people who don’t have $500 set aside in their savings accounts, it could present a long list of problems.
Here is what you should do if you’re ever not paid in a timely fashion.
Talk to Your Employer About How You Were Not Paid
If you just realized that you were not paid on your most recent payday, go right to your employer and let them know about it. There is a decent chance that a clerical error might be to blame for the issue. Or your employer might be in the process of putting a new paycheck stub template into place.
There are also other things that might pop up and delay a paycheck by a day or two. There could be a reasonable explanation for why you didn’t receive a paycheck.
Ask Your Employer When You Will Be Paid
If your employer offers up a good explanation for why you haven’t been paid, ask them when they are planning on having paychecks distributed. This will give you an opportunity to do some planning on your end.
Ask your employer to provide you with an update on when you can expect your paycheck to arrive.
File a Complaint With the U.S. Department of Labor
Employees have a right to a timely paycheck. It is, after all, why they have jobs in the first place.
To ensure that workers throughout the country get paid, there are laws on the books about how employers must pay their employees on time. There are also not getting paid for hours worked laws designed to protect people from getting stiffed on the time they put in at work.
If you ever feel as though your employer isn’t living up to their end of the bargain when it comes to paying you, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. They’ll look into your allegations and get to the bottom of them.
Speak With a Lawyer to See What Your Options Are
Working without pay is not acceptable. It’s why you should go all out when trying to force your employer to pay you the money they owe you.
If you try everything else mentioned here and come up empty, get a lawyer involved. They can take the necessary legal action against your employer to get you the money you deserve.
Don’t Let Your Employer Get Away With Not Paying You
Workers who are not paid in a timely fashion often have to suffer the consequences for it. They end up being late with their own bills, and it can cost them money in the end.
Don’t allow your employer to take advantage of you. You have the right to a timely paycheck, and you should make sure you get it. If you don’t, use the tips found here to force your employer’s hand.
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