Final Paycheck Laws in Pennsylvania
When a Pennsylvania employer must pay your last paycheck if you are fired, laid off or quit, and whether unused vacation must be paid out.
Short answer: Due no later than the next regular payday on which the wages would otherwise be paid. If the employee asks, the employer must send it by certified mail. Wage Payment and Collection Law, § 5(a) (43 P.S. § 260.5)
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | Due no later than the next regular payday on which the wages would otherwise be paid. If the employee asks, the employer must send it by certified mail. |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | Due no later than the next regular payday, the same as when the employer ends the job. Certified mail on request. |
| Unused vacation / PTO payout | Not required by law. Paid sick leave, holiday pay and other pay for hours not worked are generally protected only when the employer expressly promised them in official documents, such as an employee handbook or memo; then the employer must follow that promise. |
Where to get help in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Labor Law Compliance
- File a complaint or claim
More Pennsylvania employment law
- Minimum Wage in Pennsylvania
- Meal and Rest Break Laws in Pennsylvania
- Wrongful Termination in Pennsylvania
- All Pennsylvania employment law rules
FAQ
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Pennsylvania?
Due no later than the next regular payday on which the wages would otherwise be paid. If the employee asks, the employer must send it by certified mail.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Pennsylvania?
Due no later than the next regular payday, the same as when the employer ends the job. Certified mail on request.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Pennsylvania?
Not required by law. Paid sick leave, holiday pay and other pay for hours not worked are generally protected only when the employer expressly promised them in official documents, such as an employee handbook or memo; then the employer must follow that promise.
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.