Effective Date of Rule: March 1, 2007.

     Purpose: WAC 296-126-023, 296-128-035, and 296-131-010, payment interval rules. The purpose of this rule making is to incorporate the payment interval administrative policy into the rules. By integrating the policy into rule and expanding the rule to clarify different payment interval approaches, the payment interval rule will be easier to use, understand, and provide greater certainty and consistency without having to rely on additional documents. The adoption will:

     1. Retain the requirement that employers must pay all wages at no longer than monthly intervals on regular pay days.

     2. Continue to require an employer to implement a regular payroll system in which wages from up to seven days before pay day may be withheld if paying at a monthly interval.

     3. Continue to require that paychecks must be mailed on the established payday and funds provided by direct deposit or electronic means must be available on the established payday.

     4. Employers are required to pay wages no later than ten days after the end of the pay period, except for monthly payroll systems.

     5. Allow employers to establish separate pay periods for regular and overtime wages plus commission and other specialty pay as long as workers are paid no later than the pay day for the following pay period.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 296-126-023, 296-128-035, and 296-131-010.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapters 49.12, 49.30, and 49.46 RCW.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 06-17-136 on August 22, 2006.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: The following sections were amended between the proposed and adopted versions (bold and italics indicate change):

WAC 296-126-023:

     (5) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a monthly pay period, the employer may establish a regular payroll system under which wages for work performed by an employee during the last seven days of the monthly pay period may be withheld and included with the wages paid on the pay day for the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes a monthly pay period starting on the 1st day of each month with an established pay day on the last day of the month. In a thirty-one-day month, unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages for work performed between the 1st and 24th days of the month on the established pay day (the last day of the month). The employer may pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month on the following month's pay day (which means that the employer would pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month, and the 1st and 24th days of the following month, on the following month's pay day).

If pay period is:	Then payday must be no later than:	And employer must pay wages for at least:
Monthly, starting on 1st day of the month	Last day of the month	1st day of the month - 24th day of the month

     (6) An employer shall pay nonbase overtime wages owed to an employee (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to base pay) on the regular pay day for the pay period in which such nonbase the overtime wages were earned. If the correct amount of nonbase overtime wages cannot be determined until after such regular pay day, the employer may establish a separate pay day for nonbase overtime wages; however, the payment of nonbase overtime wages may not be delayed for a period longer than that which is reasonably necessary for the employer to compute and arrange for payment of the amount due, and in no even may payment be delayed beyond overtime wages must be paid by the regular payday period following the next pay period in which the nonbase wages were earned.

     Example: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods. (the The first pay period covers work performed from the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month with the payday of the 25th; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month with the payday of the 10th of the following month to the last day of the month). The employer pays a base hourly wage of fifteen dollars per hour, plus a ten percent commission. An employee works overtime in each of the pay periods. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay overtime the base hourly wages no later than the 25th 10th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 10th 25th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the second pay period. The employer may pay the additional commission wages no later than the 10th day of the following month for commissions earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 25th day of the following month for commissions earned during the second pay period.

If pay period is:	And if payday for regular wages is:	Then payday for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (8) These rules may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., the Public Employees' Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56.010 et seq., or the Personnel System Reform Act, RCW 41.80.001 et seq., if the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement prescribe specific payment interval requirements for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement; provided, that:

     (a) All base regular wages (whether paid on an hourly, salary, commission, piece rate, or other basis) shall be paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement ("covered employees") at no longer than monthly intervals;

     (b) All other wages (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to base pay regular wages) are paid in accordance with the payment interval requirements applicable to covered employees under the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement; and

     (c) The employer pays base regular wages to covered employees at no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

WAC 296-128-035

     (5) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a monthly pay period, the employer may establish a regular payroll system under which wages for work performed by an employee during the last seven days of the monthly pay period may be withheld and included with the wages paid on the pay day for the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes a monthly pay period starting on the 1st day of each month with an established pay day on the last day of the month. In a thirty-one-day month, unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages for work performed between the 1st and 24th days of the month on the established pay day (the last day of the month). The employer may pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month on the following month's pay day (which means that the employer would pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month, and the 1st and 24th days of the following month, on the following month's pay day).

If pay period is:	And if payday for regular wages is:	Then payday for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (6) An employer shall pay nonbase overtime wages owed to an employee (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to base pay) on the regular pay day for the pay period in which such nonbase the overtime wages were earned. If the correct amount of nonbase overtime wages cannot be determined until after such regular pay day, the employer may establish a separate pay day for nonbase overtime wages; however, the payment of nonbase overtime wages may not be delayed for a period longer than that which is reasonably necessary for the employer to compute and arrange for payment of the amount due, and in no even may payment be delayed beyond overtime wages must be paid by the regular payday period following the next pay period in which the nonbase wages were earned.

     Example: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods. (the The first pay period covers work performed from the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month with the payday of the 25th; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month with the payday of the 10th of the following month to the last day of the month). The employer pays a base hourly wage of fifteen dollars per hour, plus a ten percent commission. An employee works overtime in each of the pay periods. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay overtime the base hourly wages no later than the 25th 10th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 10th 25th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the second pay period. The employer may pay the additional commission wages no later than the 10th day of the following month for commissions earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 25th day of the following month for commissions earned during the second pay period.

If pay period is:	And if payday for regular wages is:	Then payday for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (8) These rules may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., the Public Employees' Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56.010 et seq., or the Personnel System Reform Act, RCW 41.80.001 et seq., if the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement prescribe specific payment interval requirements for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement; provided, that:

     (a) All base regular wages (whether paid on an hourly, salary, commission, piece rate, or other basis) shall be paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement ("covered employees") at no longer than monthly intervals;

     (b) All other wages (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to base pay regular wages) are paid in accordance with the payment interval requirements applicable to covered employees under the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement; and

     (c) The employer pays base regular wages to covered employees at no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

WAC 296-131-010:

     (5) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a monthly pay period, the employer may establish a regular payroll system under which wages for work performed by an employee during the last seven days of the monthly pay period may be withheld and included with the wages paid on the pay day for the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes a monthly pay period starting on the 1st day of each month with an established pay day on the last day of the month. In a thirty-one-day month, unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages for work performed between the 1st and 24th days of the month on the established pay day (the last day of the month). The employer may pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month on the following month's pay day (which means that the employer would pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month, and the 1st and 24th days of the following month, on the following month's pay day).

If pay period is:	Then payday must be no later than:	And employer must pay wages for at least:
Monthly, starting on 1st day of the month	Last day of the month	1st day of the month - 24th day of the month

     (6) An employer shall pay nonbase overtime wages owed to an employee (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to base pay) on the regular pay day for the pay period in which such nonbase the overtime wages were earned. If the correct amount of nonbase overtime wages cannot be determined until after such regular pay day, the employer may establish a separate pay day for nonbase overtime wages; however, the payment of nonbase overtime wages may not be delayed for a period longer than that which is reasonably necessary for the employer to compute and arrange for payment of the amount due, and in no even may payment be delayed beyond overtime wages must be paid by the regular payday period following the next pay period in which the nonbase wages were earned.

     Example: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods. (the The first pay period covers work performed from the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month with the payday of the 25th; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month with the payday of the 10th of the following month to the last day of the month). The employer pays a base hourly wage of fifteen dollars per hour, plus a ten percent commission. An employee works overtime in each of the pay periods. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay overtime the base hourly wages no later than the 25th 10th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 10th 25th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the second pay period. The employer may pay the additional commission wages no later than the 10th day of the following month for commissions earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 25th day of the following month for commissions earned during the second pay period.

If pay period is:	And if payday for regular wages is:	Then payday for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (8) These rules may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., the Public Employees' Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56.010 et seq., or the Personnel System Reform Act, RCW 41.80.001 et seq., if the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement prescribe specific payment interval requirements for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement; provided, that:

     (a) All base regular wages (whether paid on an hourly, salary, commission, piece rate, or other basis) shall be paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement ("covered employees") at no longer than monthly intervals;

     (b) All other wages (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to base pay regular wages) are paid in accordance with the payment interval requirements applicable to covered employees under the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement; and

     (c) The employer pays base regular wages to covered employees at no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: January 23, 2007.

Judy Schurke

Acting Director

OTS-9090.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 89-16, filed 10/24/89, effective 11/24/89)

WAC 296-128-035   Payment interval.   ((All wages due shall be paid at no longer than monthly intervals to each employee on established regular pay days. To facilitate bookkeeping, an employer may implement a regular payroll system in which wages from up to seven days before pay day may be withheld from the pay period covered and included in the next pay period.)) (1) This rule shall apply to employers and employees subject to chapter 49.46 RCW.

Note:

Employers and employees not subject to this regulation may still be subject to the payment interval requirements of WAC 296-126-023 or 296-131-010.

     (2) Definitions:

     (a) "Monthly interval" means a one-month time period between established pay days.

     (b) "Pay day" means a specific day or date established by the employer on which wages are paid for hours worked during a pay period.

     (c) "Payment interval" means the amount of time between established pay days. A payment interval may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.

     (d) "Pay period" means a defined time frame for which an employee will receive a paycheck. A pay period may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.

     (3) An employer shall pay all wages owed to an employee on an established regular pay day at no longer than monthly payment intervals. If federal law provides specific payment interval requirements that are more favorable to an employee than the payment interval requirements provided under this rule, federal law shall apply.

     (4) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a pay period that is less than a month, the employer shall establish a regular pay day no later than ten calendar days after the end of the pay period, unless expressly provided otherwise by law.

     Example 1: Employer establishes a weekly pay period. The workweek is from Sunday January 1 through Saturday January 7. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages no later than January 17.

     Example 2: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods (the first pay period covers the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month to the last day of the month). Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages no later than the 25th day of the current month for the first pay period, and no later than the 10th day of the following month for the second pay period.

     (5) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a monthly pay period, the employer may establish a regular payroll system under which wages for work performed by an employee during the last seven days of the monthly pay period may be withheld and included with the wages paid on the pay day for the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes a monthly pay period starting on the 1st day of each month with an established pay day on the last day of the month. In a thirty-one-day month, unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages for work performed between the 1st and 24th days of the month on the established pay day (the last day of the month). The employer may pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month on the following month's pay day (which means that the employer would pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month, and the 1st and 24th days of the following month, on the following month's pay day).

If pay period is:	And if pay day for regular wages is:	Then pay day for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (6) An employer shall pay overtime wages owed to an employee on the regular pay day for the pay period in which the overtime wages were earned. If the correct amount of overtime wages cannot be determined until after such regular pay day, the employer may establish a separate pay day for overtime wages; provided, that the payment of overtime wages may not be delayed for a period longer than that which is reasonably necessary for the employer to compute and arrange for payment of the amount due, and overtime wages must be paid by the regular pay day following the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods. The first pay period covers work performed from the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month with the pay day of the 25th; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month to the last day of the month with the pay day of the 10th of the following month. An employee works overtime in each of the pay periods. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay the overtime wages no later than the 10th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 25th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the second pay period.

If pay period is:	And if pay day for regular wages is:	Then pay day for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (7) Mailed paychecks shall be postmarked no later than the established pay day. If the established pay day falls on a weekend day or holiday when the business office is not open, mailed paychecks shall be postmarked no later than the next business day. Employers that pay employees by direct deposit or other electronic means shall ensure that such wage payments are made and available to employees on the established pay day.

     (8) These rules may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., the Public Employees' Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56.010 et seq., or the Personnel System Reform Act, RCW 41.80.001 et seq., if the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement prescribe specific payment interval requirements for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement; provided, that:

     (a) All regular wages (whether paid on an hourly, salary, commission, piece rate, or other basis) shall be paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement ("covered employees") at no longer than monthly intervals;

     (b) All other wages (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to regular wages) are paid in accordance with the payment interval requirements applicable to covered employees under the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement; and

     (c) The employer pays regular wages to covered employees at no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.22.270, 49.12.020, 49.12.091, 49.12.050, 49.46.020 and 49.46.070. 89-22-016 (Order 89-16), § 296-128-035, filed 10/24/89, effective 11/24/89.]

OTS-9089.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 89-16, filed 10/24/89, effective 11/24/89)

WAC 296-126-023   Payment interval.   ((All wages due shall be paid at no longer than monthly intervals to each employee on established regular pay days. To facilitate bookkeeping, an employer may implement a regular payroll system in which wages from up to seven days before pay day may be withheld from the pay period covered and included in the next pay period.)) (1) This rule shall apply to employers and employees subject to chapter 49.12 RCW.

Note:

Employers and employees not subject to this regulation may still be subject to the payment interval requirements of WAC 296-128-035 or 296-131-010.

     (2) Definitions:

     (a) "Monthly interval" means a one-month time period between established pay days.

     (b) "Pay day" means a specific day or date established by the employer on which wages are paid for hours worked during a pay period.

     (c) "Payment interval" means the amount of time between established pay days. A payment interval may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.

     (d) "Pay period" means a defined time frame for which an employee will receive a paycheck. A pay period may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.

     (3) An employer shall pay all wages owed to an employee on an established regular pay day at no longer than monthly payment intervals. If federal law provides specific payment interval requirements that are more favorable to an employee than the payment interval requirements provided under this rule, federal law shall apply.

     (4) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a pay period that is less than a month, the employer shall establish a regular pay day no later than ten calendar days after the end of the pay period, unless expressly provided otherwise by law.

     Example 1: Employer establishes a weekly pay period. The workweek is from Sunday January 1 through Saturday January 7. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages no later than January 17.

     Example 2: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods (the first pay period covers the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month to the last day of the month). Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages no later than the 25th day of the current month for the first pay period, and no later than the 10th day of the following month for the second pay period.

     (5) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a monthly pay period, the employer may establish a regular payroll system under which wages for work performed by an employee during the last seven days of the monthly pay period may be withheld and included with the wages paid on the pay day for the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes a monthly pay period starting on the 1st day of each month with an established pay day on the last day of the month. In a thirty-one-day month, unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages for work performed between the 1st and 24th days of the month on the established pay day (the last day of the month). The employer may pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month on the following month's pay day (which means that the employer would pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month, and the 1st and 24th days of the following month, on the following month's pay day).

If pay period is:	Then pay day must be no later than:	And employer must pay wages for at least:
Monthly, starting on 1st day of the month	Last day of the month	1st day of the month - 24th day of the month

     (6) An employer shall pay overtime wages owed to an employee on the regular pay day for the pay period in which the overtime wages were earned. If the correct amount of overtime wages cannot be determined until after such regular pay day, the employer may establish a separate pay day for overtime wages; however, the payment of overtime wages may not be delayed for a period longer than that which is reasonably necessary for the employer to compute and arrange for payment of the amount due, and overtime wages must be paid by the regular pay day following the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods. The first pay period covers work performed from the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month with the pay day of the 25th; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month with the pay day of the 10th of the following month. An employee works overtime in each of the pay periods. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay overtime wages no later than the 10th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 25th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the second pay period.

If pay period is:	And if pay day for regular wages is:	Then pay day for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (7) Mailed paychecks shall be postmarked no later than the established pay day. If the established pay day falls on a weekend day or holiday when the business office is not open, mailed paychecks shall be postmarked no later than the next business day. Employers that pay employees by direct deposit or other electronic means shall ensure that such wage payments are made and available to employees on the established pay day.

     (8) These rules may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., the Public Employees' Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56.010 et seq., or the Personnel System Reform Act, RCW 41.80.001 et seq., if the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement prescribe specific payment interval requirements for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement; provided, that:

     (a) All regular wages (whether paid on an hourly, salary, commission, piece rate, or other basis) shall be paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement ("covered employees") at no longer than monthly intervals;

     (b) All other wages (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to regular wages) are paid in accordance with the payment interval requirements applicable to covered employees under the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement; and

     (c) The employer pays regular wages to covered employees at no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.22.270, 49.12.020, 49.12.091, 49.12.050, 49.46.020 and 49.46.070. 89-22-016 (Order 89-16), § 296-126-023, filed 10/24/89, effective 11/24/89; Order 74-9, § 296-126-023, filed 3/13/74, effective 4/15/74.]

OTS-9091.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order 89-15, filed 10/24/89, effective 11/24/89)

WAC 296-131-010   Payment interval.   ((All wages due shall be paid at no longer than monthly intervals to each employee on established regular pay days, unless federal law requires more frequent pay intervals. To facilitate bookkeeping, an employer may implement a regular payroll system in which wages from up to seven days before pay day may be withheld from the pay period covered and included in the next pay period.)) (1) This rule shall apply to employers and employees engaged in agricultural labor as defined in RCW 50.04.150 and subject to WAC 296-131-001.

Note:

Employers and employees not subject to this regulation may still be subject to the payment interval requirements of WAC 296-126-023 or 296-128-035.

     (2) Definitions:

     (a) "Monthly interval" means a one-month time period between established pay days.

     (b) "Pay day" means a specific day or date established by the employer on which wages are paid for hours worked during a pay period.

     (c) "Payment interval" means the amount of time between established pay days. A payment interval may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.

     (d) "Pay period" means a defined time frame for which an employee will receive a paycheck. A pay period may be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly.

     (3) An employer shall pay all wages owed to an employee on an established regular pay day at no longer than monthly payment intervals. If federal law provides specific payment interval requirements that are more favorable to an employee than the payment interval requirements provided under this rule, federal law shall apply.

     (4) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a pay period that is less than a month, the employer shall establish a regular pay day no later than ten calendar days after the end of the pay period, unless expressly provided otherwise by law.

     Example 1: Employer establishes a weekly pay period. The workweek is from Sunday January 1 through Saturday January 7. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages no later than January 17.

     Example 2: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods (the first pay period covers the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month to the last day of the month). Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages no later than the 25th day of the current month for the first pay period, and no later than the 10th day of the following month for the second pay period.

     (5) If an employer pays wages on the basis of a monthly pay period, the employer may establish a regular payroll system under which wages for work performed by an employee during the last seven days of the monthly pay period may be withheld and included with the wages paid on the pay day for the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes a monthly pay period starting on the 1st day of each month with an established pay day on the last day of the month. In a thirty-one-day month, unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay wages for work performed between the 1st and 24th days of the month on the established pay day (the last day of the month). The employer may pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month on the following month's pay day (which means that the employer would pay wages for work performed between the 25th and 31st days of the current month, and the 1st and 24th days of the following month, on the following month's pay day).

If pay period is:	Then pay day must be no later than:	And employer must pay wages for at least:
Monthly, starting on 1st day of the month	Last day of the month	1st day of the month - 24th day of the month

     (6) An employer shall pay overtime wages owed to an employee on the regular pay day for the pay period in which the overtime wages were earned. If the correct amount of overtime wages cannot be determined until after such regular pay day, the employer may establish a separate pay day for overtime wages; however, the payment of overtime wages may not be delayed for a period longer than that which is reasonably necessary for the employer to compute and arrange for payment of the amount due, and overtime wages must be paid by the regular pay day following the next pay period.

     Example: Employer establishes two semi-monthly pay periods. The first pay period covers work performed from the 1st day of the month to the 15th day of the month with the pay day of the 25th; the second pay period covers the 16th day of the month to the last day of the month with the pay day of the 10th of the following month. An employee works overtime in each of the pay periods. Unless a different payment interval applies by law, the employer must pay overtime wages no later than the 10th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the first pay period, and no later than the 25th day of the following month for the overtime earned during the second pay period.

If pay period is:	And if pay day for regular wages is:	Then pay day for overtime wages must be no later than:
1st of the month - 15th day of the month	25th of the month	10th of the following month
16th of the month - 30th or 31st of the month	10th of the following month	25th of the following month

     (7) Mailed paychecks shall be postmarked no later than the established pay day. If the established pay day falls on a weekend day or holiday when the business office is not open, mailed paychecks shall be postmarked no later than the next business day. Employers that pay employees by direct deposit or other electronic means shall ensure that such wage payments are made and available to employees on the established pay day.

     (8) These rules may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated under the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq., the Public Employees' Bargaining Act, RCW 41.56.010 et seq., or the Personnel System Reform Act, RCW 41.80.001 et seq., if the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement prescribe specific payment interval requirements for employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement; provided, that:

     (a) All regular wages (whether paid on an hourly, salary, commission, piece rate, or other basis) shall be paid to employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement ("covered employees") at no longer than monthly intervals;

     (b) All other wages (including overtime, bonus pay, and other categories of specialty pay in addition to regular wages) are paid in accordance with the payment interval requirements applicable to covered employees under the terms of, or recognized custom and practice under, the collective bargaining agreement; and

     (c) The employer pays regular wages to covered employees at no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.22.270, 1989 c 380 and chapter 49.46 RCW. 89-22-015 (Order 89-15), § 296-131-010, filed 10/24/89, effective 11/24/89.]

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