What Final Pay Am I Owed at Termination?

Regardless of the reason for termination, there are certain amounts your employer is required to pay on the day you are fired or laid off.

• Your final wages or salary: this should cover the day of termination.
  
• Any commissions earned before the day of termination: often commissions are paid out monthly or quarterly, and you may have completed all of the steps needed to earn commissions before being fired.  Employers sometimes take the position that you are not eligible to be paid after you are no longer employed, but the law requires you be paid what you have earned.
  
• Accrued and unused vacation:  how this accrues, and whether you are entitled to vacation time rolled over from year to year, varies according to company policy.  You should check your final paycheck to be sure everything was included that should have been.
  

Failure to pay any of these amounts is a violation of the Massachusetts Wage Act, and could entitle you to treble damages if not paid before you file a complaint.  You should speak to an employment lawyer immediately if you think you have not received all of your final pay.

Learn more here about the Massachusetts Wage Act.

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