Pay Period Law and Legal Definition
Generally, employees must be paid at least twice per month. Work performed between the 1st and 15th of the month must be paid between the 16th and 26th of the month. Work performed between the 16th and the last day of the month must be paid between the 1st and 10th of the next month.
There are exceptions for wages paid to certain employees, such as weekly or bi-weekly employees, executive, managerial and professional employees, employees who are union members or covered under collective bargaining agreements, agricultural employees, certain household domestic employees or employees of vehicle dealers who are paid on a commission basis. The employer must post a notice in a conspicuous place, specifying the regular paydays and the time and place of payment.
States also have laws, which vary by state, regulating pay periods. Most states require that once a pay period is established it must be adhered to.
