Illinois employers are required to follow very specific laws when it comes to how pay periods and paychecks are handled. These rules are outlined in the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act, which sets minimum standards for the frequency and timing of employee pay.
In almost all cases, employers must pay their employees at least semi-monthly. This means that wages must be paid more than twice per month. It’s important that workers receive their compensation on a regular and predictable schedule so they don’t have long delays between paychecks.
Final paychecks are also covered
Another facet of Illinois law is that it requires that an employer must pay an employee their final check no later than the next scheduled payday. It doesn’t matter why the employee’s employment ended. This helps to ensure that employees aren’t left waiting for an unspecified period after they leave an employer.
There are some exceptions to these laws. For example, people who are paid on a commission basis may have different schedules. Commission payments are made based on the terms of the employment agreement, but must still be paid within a reasonable time after the commission is earned.
Disputes related to employee pay are often centered around inconsistent schedules or misunderstanding commission payment requirements. Employers should have clear policies and recordkeeping practices to ensure employees are paid as required.
Employees who aren’t paid within the requirements of applicable laws may decide to take legal action. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be helpful for employees who are facing this type of challenging situation.