Last Day and Final Pay

ErinHR

I am curious if an employee must physically be at work/worksite to get paid for their last day? For example, I have an employee who put in a week's notice today (her last day will be 10/31). She will be at work Mon and Tuesday, but had a scheduled vacation for Wed-Friday (this being her last day). I keep thinking our payroll person did not like the idea of this in a similar instance....not sure if it is a payroll regulation? Can anyone enlighten me if there is a relevant payroll law and a reason this would not be OK? Thanks.

Dutch2

ErinHR... welcome to the forum!
I too am in Missouri and I do not know of any State regulation that would require an ee to be physically at work on their last day of employment. Over the years we have had multiple ee's not return from medical leaves, vacation, etc. and this had impact on our processing of their last payroll check.

NaeNae55

We don't have any Kansas regulations either. However, here the employee's last day would be Tuesday. I can't see how you can have someone on the payroll after they have left for good.

Good luck!

Nae

P.S. If you don't have a policy on this, it is time to write one up.

joannie

Our policy requires employees to work the day following a vacation day to be eligible for vacation pay.

Peggy UH in LA

Our state (Louisiana) requires that the employee be paid for accrued vacation at the end of employment. We usually pay in a lump sum and use the last day worked as their actual last day. Occasionally, we have a long-term employee with a larger amount of vacation who asks to complete their vacation on paper, usually for benefits purposes, until they get their benefits changed over. Our handbook has the following statement: "Upon termination of employment, unused accrued vacation will be paid at the effective rate of compensation." But if your state doesn't require that you pay for accrued vacation, your case would be different.

jthomsen

Peggy, what is the time frame that an employee has to have their check after they have terminated and no longer at work?

ACU Frank

Missouri does require pay for accrued vacation. Just tell your payroll person to close her eyes and imagine that the employee's last day was Tuesday and you're adding three days accrued vacation to her check. Then tell your payroll person to quit being such a persnickity pain. Can I assume she came from (or is still in) accounting?

NaeNae55

Hey! I resemble that remark!