Final Paycheck Laws in Massachusetts
When a Massachusetts employer must pay your last paycheck if you are fired, laid off or quit, and whether unused vacation must be paid out.
Short answer: Full wages are due on the day of discharge. M.G.L. c. 149, §148
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | Full wages are due on the day of discharge. Source: M.G.L. c. 149, §148 |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | Full wages are due on the next regular payday (or, if there is no regular payday, the following Saturday). Source: M.G.L. c. 149, §148 |
| Unused vacation / PTO payout | Yes. Vacation and holiday pay owed under an oral or written agreement count as wages and must be paid at separation on the same timeline as final wages. Unused earned sick time does not have to be paid out. |
More Massachusetts employment law
- Minimum Wage in Massachusetts
- Meal and Rest Break Laws in Massachusetts
- Wrongful Termination in Massachusetts
- Paid Sick Leave in Massachusetts
- Non-Compete Agreements in Massachusetts
- All Massachusetts employment law rules
FAQ
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Massachusetts?
Full wages are due on the day of discharge.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Massachusetts?
Full wages are due on the next regular payday (or, if there is no regular payday, the following Saturday).
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Massachusetts?
Yes. Vacation and holiday pay owed under an oral or written agreement count as wages and must be paid at separation on the same timeline as final wages. Unused earned sick time does not have to be paid out.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.