Massachusetts final paycheck law

Layoffs and other situations

The statute's 'discharged' rule covers any involuntary termination. For City of Boston employees only, discharge pay may wait until city payroll-certification requirements are met (G.L. c. 149, § 148). Source: malegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

Unused vacation and PTO

Required: earned vacation payments owed under an oral or written agreement count as wages and must be included in the final paycheck on the same timeline. Source: mass.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

If the final paycheck is late

Mandatory treble damages (three times the unpaid wages) plus litigation costs and reasonable attorney's fees for an employee who wins a Wage Act suit (G.L. c. 149, § 150). Source: malegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)

The law and where to check

The law: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 149, §§ 148, 150 (opens in a new tab)

The agency: Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Fair Labor Division (opens in a new tab)

What federal law says

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act does not require employers to give a final paycheck immediately. The U.S. Department of Labor says an employee who has not received final pay by the regular payday for their last pay period can contact its Wage and Hour Division or the state labor department. Source: U.S. Department of Labor↗ (opens in a new tab)

Final paycheck checklist for Massachusetts employers

A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.

1. Write down how the job ended: fired or let go, or the employee quit. If they quit, note whether and when they gave notice.
2. Find the deadline for that situation in the table above.
3. Add up all hours worked up to the last day, including any overtime.
4. Check your written vacation or PTO policy and the vacation rule above.
5. Add any commission or bonus that was earned, using the rules above.
6. Pay on time by your usual method, or by mail if the rules above allow it and the employee asks.
7. Keep a dated record of what you paid and when.

More Massachusetts employment law guides

• All Massachusetts employment laws
• Massachusetts paid sick leave law
• Massachusetts meal and rest break laws
• Massachusetts overtime law
• Massachusetts pay frequency law
• Massachusetts vacation and PTO payout law
• Massachusetts new hire reporting
• Massachusetts at-will exceptions

Final paycheck laws in other states

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Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.

Last checked: October 19, 2026. Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.