Expert: Shirley McAllister, CPP, PHR - 4/21/2011

Question
In California a company has to disperse pay within 6 days of the pay period ending.  With that said, I am an independent contractor in Washington State working for a company in Florida.  This company takes 12 days to disperse pay after the pay period ending.  Is there a federal policy regarding the length of time to disperse pay after pay periods end?  Do states have an individual policy, i.e. the California one I mentioned above?  Which state am I operating under regarding the policy?

Answer
If you are working in Washington State than the Washington State Department of Labor would have jurisdiction over the labor performed in their state. Good luck with the Florida Firm, Florida is the most lenient state toward employers. They do not even have a Department of labor office.

I have heard many complaints about Florida employment abuses toward employees. Washington State is kinder, but I don't know how it will work with them dealing with a Florida firm.

California is the most lenient to the employees, they make their own rules and other states do not follow the rules of California.

In Washington State you must be paid at least once a month on regularly schecduled paydates.
http://www.lni.wa.gov/IPUB/700-074-909.pdf

Shirley

Shirley