Getting Paid
G.S. 95-25.7 — the last check on the next regular payday, and double the unpaid wages
In North Carolina, every employer pays every employee all wages and tips earned on the regular payday. Pay periods may be daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly; bonuses and commissions may be paid as rarely as once a year if that is set in advance.
The final pay is due by the next regular payday. An employee whose job ends for any reason is paid all wages due on or before the next regular payday, through the usual channels or by trackable mail if the employee asks in writing. Bonuses and commissions are paid on the first regular payday after the amount can be calculated, and cannot be forfeited unless the employee was told in advance of the policy that causes the forfeiture.
The employer tells employees in writing when hired what the promised wages are and the day and place of payment, makes its wage policies available in writing or on a posted notice, gives written notice at least one pay period before any change to promised wages, and gives an itemized statement of deductions for each pay period deductions are made.
Twice the amount, plus fees. An employer that violates the minimum wage, overtime or wage payment sections owes the unpaid amounts with interest, and the court awards an equal amount again as liquidated damages unless the employer shows good faith and reasonable grounds, in which case the court may reduce or deny them. The employee may sue, or the Commissioner of Labor may sue on the employee's request, and the court may add costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
Sources for this section (4)
- G.S. 95-25.7 — Payment to separated employees
- G.S. 95-25.6 — Wage payment
- G.S. 95-25.13 — Notification, posting, and records
- G.S. 95-25.22 — Recovery of unpaid wages
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.