Overview. New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed legislation (House Bill 194) allowing more flexibility for when workers are paid.
Effective Date. July 11, 2017 (House Bill 194 shall take effect 60 days after its passage).
Background. New Hampshire law previously required employers to pay employees within 8 days of the week in which the work is performed.
Details. House Bill 194 provides employers the option of paying employees weekly or bi-weekly. After receiving a written request, the commissioner may permit an employer to pay employees less frequently, but such payment must be made regularly on a predesignated date and at least once per calendar month.
The law has been amended to read:
Every employer shall pay all wages due to employees at regular intervals not to exceed 14 days, except when permitted to pay wages less frequently as authorized by the commissioner pursuant to paragraph IV or IV-a(a), on regular paydays designated in advance by the employer and at no cost to the employee:
IV. The commissioner may, upon written petition showing good and sufficient reason, permit payment of wages other than weekly or biweekly, except that it shall be at least once each calendar month. In all instances, payment shall be made regularly on a predesignated date. The commissioner may prescribe the terms and conditions of such permission, and limit the duration thereof.
IV-a.(a) The commissioner may permit payment of wages less frequently than biweekly where a school district collective bargaining agreement for hourly employees provides an option to be paid in any number of equal installments with one additional installment.
IV-b. The commissioner may, on a temporary basis and after showing good and sufficient reason, require payment of wages weekly. The commissioner shall prescribe to the employer the terms, conditions, and duration of such temporary payments. Such restrictions shall only be in effect until the employer rectifies any deficiencies prescribed by the commissioner.
Call to Action. Employers considering a change in pay frequency should provide affected employees with written notice as far in advance as possible.
To review a copy of the New Hampshire HB 194, please click here.
If you have any questions regarding this article, please contact your Relationship Manager or Service Team.