My Employer Didn’t Pay Me on Payday

Each state has some form of payday laws that regulate the frequency of employee pay. There are often exceptions for non-employee workers like independent contractors or employers in certain industries or of certain sizes. Payday laws in each state vary significantly; we can only provide general information in this article. If you believe you weren’t paid on payday, then you should look at your state’s laws and consult an employment lawyer.

General Payday Laws

Most states will have laws that mandate the frequency of paydays. An employer can often choose between a number of pay frequencies, like:

Monthly pay
Semimonthly pay
Biweekly pay
Weekly pay

Employers must provide notice of payday frequency to their employees. Alabama and South Carolina have slightly different payday laws from the other states. They only require an employer to give their employees at least 5 days’ notice of their pay period.

My Employer Didn’t Pay Me on Payday

If your employer missed your payday or paid you late, then you will need to follow your state’s procedure. The procedure will be different depending on if it is a one-time occurrence or if it happens on a regular basis.

All states require the employee to notify their employer of the missed payday in writing and request the owed wages. This gives the employer the chance to rectify the issue if it is a simple error. If the employer doesn’t fix the issue, then the employee can either file a claim with their states labor agency or file a small claims lawsuit . If the employee needs to seek legal action, they should speak to an employment lawyer to see if they have a case.

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What Is the Definition of a Non-Exempt Employee

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My Employer Didn’t Pay Me on Payday

General Payday Laws

My Employer Didn’t Pay Me on Payday

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No Tax on Overtime in California: 2025 Policy Updates, Exemption Timeline, and What Workers Should Expect

Minimum Wage in California 2025: State and City Rates Explained

California Fast Food Minimum Wage 2025: Statewide and Local Updates

How old do you have to be to work? Age limits explained

Workplace Culture and Hostile Work Environments in California: Your Rights and Legal Options

What Is a Pay Stub and Why It Matters for Employees and Employers

What Are the Proper Steps to Fire Someone in California?

How Long Does a Misdemeanor Stay on Your Record in California?

How Do I Prepare a Script for Firing Someone?

What Is Involved in a PAGA Lawsuit?

What Are the Rules for 10-Minute Breaks?

Can I Work Six Hours Without a Lunch Break?

What Can I Do If My Employer Didn’t Pay Me on Payday?

What Qualifies as a Hostile Work Environment in California?

When Is a Doctor’s Note for Work Required in California?

What Does California Law Say About Final Paycheck Rules?

Can an Employer Deny a Doctor’s Note?

How Much Can You Sue an Employer for Misclassification?

How Serious Is an EEOC Complaint?

Do You Have Sample Letters for Termination of a Contract?

What Is a WARN Notice in California?

What Is FICA and How Does It Impact Payroll Taxes?

What Is At-Will Employment and How Does It Impact Employee Rights?

Employers Should Exercise Caution When Terminating Employees After Disability Leave

What Is FUTA? 2025 Rates and How to Calculate FUTA Tax

What Is the Difference Between a 1099 Contractor and an Employee?

How Do Contractors Typically Get Paid? Payment Methods and Legal Guidelines

What Is the Definition of a Non-Exempt Employee?

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