I was recently hired at a department store, and completed a 5-hour paid training session on oct. 23. I was informed that I would get paid for this session on the next pay period, which is today. Upon finding no evidence of a paycheck on either my employee website or bank account, I contacted the HR department. When they looked into it, they realized that there had been some kind of error processing my training for payroll and that I would not be getting paid this period. They said they would try to get the session added on to the next pay period, but I did not get a guarantee that this would happen. My partner, who has over 7 years of retail experience, is telling me that this is illegal under "work for pay" laws. Is there anything I can do, or am I stuck for two more weeks without a paycheck?
Submitted by GRock42 on Fri, 11/04/2011 - 13:22
Timely payment of wages
Your partner is correct. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 149 Section 148, employees who work five or six days in the calendar week must be paid their wages within six days of the end of the pay period in which the wages were earned. Those who work 7 days in the calendar week must be paid within 7 days. "Casual employees" ( those who have worked fewer than five days) must be paid within seven days after the end of the work period. These same general rules also apply to paychecks when an employee quits.
Assuming you want to keep the job, something of an awkward situation for you, though. You can certainly file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office or, under Massachusetts law, attempt to collect triple damages from the employer, but that would be an odd way to start your new job. Or you could call HR and ask them to comply with the law and cut you a check from petty cash or some other available account. If you let them know you mean business, I'm sure they will find some money for you. Good luck.