Delayed wages can create financial obstacles for you and your family and cause penalties to your employer. If your paycheck is not issued on time, you may be unable to cover daily expenses. Fortunately, the Colorado Wage Act outlines private employers’ obligations to ensure workers can meet their needs.
Understanding The Colorado Wage Act
The Colorado Wage Act requires all private employers to deliver wages in a timely manner. You should receive compensation for pay periods of a maximum of 30 days or a calendar month. This means that your employer could issue your payment weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly but cannot establish extended pay periods. Once a pay period ends, your employer has ten days to deliver your wages. If they fail to do so, they may face sanctions.
Additionally, your employer must issue a pay stub that includes your gross salary, net salary and relevant withholdings and deductions. This will help you identify the amount of your pay that goes directly to taxes, loans and other expenses. Your wage can include your regular salary, bonuses, commissions, vacation leave, and paid sick leave. Therefore, you should review your pay slip each month to identify inconsistencies.
Furthermore, employers must issue payments by authorized means. For example, your employer can issue a check or a direct deposit, but they can only pay you in coupons or other redeemable cards if you can exchange them for cash. In addition, the Act allows paycards, as long as you can access the total net pay at least once every pay period.
Defending your rights
You should file a complaint if your employer fails to deliver wages on time or violates any other regulation stipulated in the Colorado Wage Act. This will initiate an investigation to determine if your employer has incurred any sanctions. You can seek legal counseling to evaluate your options, choose the best action and address any questions about the process.
If the investigation results in your favor, you may receive compensation for delayed wages, and your employer may face penalties. You can file the complaint up to two years after the violation. It is crucial to act promptly. Starting a legal process can be daunting, but it is an opportunity to recover lost wages and defend your rights as an employee.
