Pay and benefits

What has to be paid, and when.

Paychecks, breaks, overtime, time off, insurance and salary. What federal and state law require, and what is left to the employer to decide.

When the pay is wrong

Short paychecks, late paychecks, deductions and tips that never arrived.

What to do if your employer doesn’t pay you What is wage theft? Can your employer deduct money from your paycheck? Can your employer delay your paycheck? Can an employer withhold your last paycheck? What should I do if my paycheck is wrong? How often does my employer have to pay me? Paid less than minimum wage on tips Manager took a cut of the tip pool

Breaks, hours and overtime

What the law requires for meal breaks, rest breaks and the hours past forty.

Federal law and lunch breaks Work breaks and bathroom time Can your employer make you work through lunch? Can employers force overtime? How overtime pay tax works Can your employer make you work on a holiday?

Time off

Vacation, sick leave and what happens to the balance when leave overlaps.

How much PTO is normal? Paid sick leave laws state by state Can you use PTO and FMLA at the same time? Do you accrue PTO while on FMLA? Cash out PTO or roll it over? Do employers have to pay out vacation time?

Benefits beyond the paycheck

Health insurance, retirement, bonuses and what comes out in tax.

What happens to your health insurance during FMLA leave COBRA insurance cost Do employers have to match 401k? Bonuses: legally required if promised? What is FICA tax? Are employers required to offer benefits to part-time employees?

Salary, raises and pay cuts

Setting a number, asking for more, and what the law says about cutting it.

What to put in desired salary Can you negotiate a salary after receiving a job offer? 7 ways how salary is determined The best month to ask for a raise Can pay be reduced by an employer? Can an employer cut your pay without notice?

Just published

Recently added

The three most recent pay and benefits articles.

Manager took a cut of the tip pool Paid less than minimum wage on tips What should I do if my paycheck is wrong?

Keep reading

All pay and wage articles → Filing a wage claim → Leaving a job → Labor laws →

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General information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state. See our Disclaimer and Terms.