Connecticut Final Paycheck Demand Letter

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   A final paycheck demand letter is a written demand a departed Connecticut employee sends a former employer to collect unpaid final wages, before filing a wage claim with the state or suing.

2. 2

   If the employer discharged the employee, the employer must pay the wages in full not later than the business day next succeeding the date of the discharge (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71c(a)).

3. 3

   If the employee voluntarily quit, the wages are due in full not later than the next regular pay day (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71c(b)).

4. 4

   If the employer fails to pay, the employee may recover in a civil action twice the full amount of the wages, with costs and reasonable attorney's fees (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-72).

5. 5

   Connecticut does not require a vacation payout by statute, but where an employer's policy or agreement provides for accrued vacation on termination, it must be paid (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-76k).

6. 6

   A Connecticut employer may not withhold or divert wages unless required by law or authorized by the employee in writing on a form approved by the Labor Commissioner (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71e).

7. 7

   If the demand is ignored, a Connecticut employee can file a Statement of Claim for Wages with the state Department of Labor, and an action for wages generally must be brought within two years (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 52-596).

Connecticut Requirements for Final Paycheck Demand Letter

• Final Pay Deadline If You Were Fired

  If a Connecticut employer discharges an employee, the employer must pay the wages in full not later than the business day next succeeding the date of the discharge (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71c(a)). Your demand letter should state that this deadline has passed.

• Final Pay Deadline If You Quit

  If a Connecticut employee voluntarily quits, wages are due in full not later than the next regular pay day (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71c(b)). State your last day and the resulting due date.

• Double Damages for Unpaid Wages

  If a Connecticut employer fails to pay wages as required, the employee may recover in a civil action twice the full amount of the wages, with costs and reasonable attorney's fees, unless the employer proves a good-faith belief that it complied with the law (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-72). Reserve this remedy in your letter.

• Accrued Vacation Follows Employer Policy

  Connecticut does not require a vacation payout by statute, but where an employer's policy or agreement provides for accrued fringe benefits such as vacation on termination, the employer must pay them (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-76k). List any vacation your employer's policy provides.

• Limits on Deductions From a Final Paycheck

  A Connecticut employer may not withhold or divert any portion of your wages unless required or empowered to do so by law, or you authorized the deduction in writing on a form approved by the Labor Commissioner (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 31-71e). Dispute any improper deduction in your letter.

• Where to File a Wage Claim in Connecticut

  If the demand is ignored, a Connecticut worker can file a Statement of Claim for Wages with the Wage and Workplace Standards Division of the Connecticut Department of Labor, which investigates wage claims and can act to compel payment. Keep your records for the claim.

• Send With Proof of Delivery

  Send the demand to the employer's address using a trackable method such as certified mail with return receipt, and keep a copy of the letter and the delivery record. Proof that you demanded your final wages supports a later Connecticut wage claim or lawsuit.

• Deadline to Claim Unpaid Wages

  In Connecticut an action for the payment of wages generally must be brought within two years after the right of action accrues (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 52-596); filing a complaint with the Labor Commissioner can pause that period. Filing promptly is the practical course.