My employer withheld my final paycheck in Connecticut — what can I do?
Connecticut law has rules that require employers to pay earned wages when an employee quits, is laid off, or is discharged. If an employer concedes part of the wages owed, the employer must pay those amounts within the time set by the wage statutes, and accepting a partial payment does not bar recovery of the balance. Penalties and recovery remedies may apply when employers fail to pay on time.
When an employer fails to pay as required, the law allows employees to seek recovery in court and gives the Labor Commissioner authority to collect unpaid wages, interest, and in some cases statutory damages and attorney fees. There are also specific statutory limits on withholding wages for agreements that require notice before leaving employment.
Current Connecticut law
Every answer cites the statute
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The deadline that matters
If you quit, wages are due by the next regular pay day; if you are discharged, wages are due by the next business day (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c).
What Connecticut law says
The statutes say employers must pay final wages on set schedules. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71c, an employee who voluntarily quits must be paid by the next regular payday, and an employee who is discharged must be paid by the next business day. If an employer concedes any wages are due, those amounts must be paid within the timing set by the wage statutes, under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71d. Employers who withhold wages because of an agreement requiring notice before leaving may be subject to a fine under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-70. When an employer fails to pay wages as required, an employee may recover statutory remedies including doubled wages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and the Labor Commissioner may collect unpaid wages and interest, as described in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-72.
What to do
A common first step is to ask the employer for the missing wages, in writing, and keep a copy of the request.
Many people send a formal demand letter stating the amount owed and referencing the employer's duty to pay by the statutory deadline.
A common next step is filing a wage claim with the Connecticut Labor Department or pursuing a civil action to collect unpaid wages and statutory remedies.
Some employees request the Labor Commissioner to collect unpaid wages, interest, and any applicable penalties under the wage statutes.
Keeping records such as pay stubs, time records, and communications is a common practice to support a claim.
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Common questions
Can my employer require I give notice before leaving and withhold pay if I do not?
The statute makes withholding wages for an agreement requiring notice subject to penalty; an employer that withholds wages for that reason may face fines under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-70.
Does accepting a partial payment stop me from pursuing the rest?
Acceptance of a payment conceded by the employer does not release an employee from pursuing the balance of the claim, and releases required as a condition of payment are void under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-71d.
What remedies are available if an employer fails to pay on time?
When an employer fails to pay in accordance with the wage statutes, an employee may recover statutory remedies including doubled wages in some cases, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and the Labor Commissioner may collect unpaid wages and interest under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 31-72.
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This is legal information about Connecticut law, not legal advice. CiteLaw is not a law firm and does not represent you. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
