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New Jersey sets its own deadline, its own penalty, and its own rule on unused vacation. Here is what the statute says, what it is worth to you, and where to file if the money never arrives.
On a discharge, layoff or resignation, the employer must pay all wages due not later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the separation took place (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3). Payment may be by the usual channels or by mail if you ask.
Resignation is covered by the same provision: all wages due by the regular payday for the pay period in which you left.
New Jersey treats earned, unused vacation as wages: it must be paid at separation unless the employer's written policy clearly provides otherwise.
Commissions are expressly within the statutory definition of wages (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.1); an incentive plan can set timing but cannot forfeit commissions already earned.
N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.10: a court may award liquidated damages equal to 200% of the unpaid wages, plus costs and attorney's fees.
On $2,000.00 of unpaid wages, a 200% penalty would be about $4,000.00. Treat that number as leverage in the letter, not as a promise: a court or agency decides what is actually owed, and the penalty provisions usually require the employer to have acted wilfully or without good cause.
File with the New Jersey Department of Labor — Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, which handles wage claims administratively, usually at no cost. The alternative is small claims court, where the limit for an individual in New Jersey is $5,000. Both routes go better with a dated written demand and a certified-mail receipt, because the first question either forum asks is when the employer knew.
On a discharge, layoff or resignation, the employer must pay all wages due not later than the regular payday for the pay period in which the separation took place (N.J.S.A. 34:11-4.3). Payment may be by the usual channels or by mail if you ask.
Resignation is covered by the same provision: all wages due by the regular payday for the pay period in which you left.
New Jersey treats earned, unused vacation as wages: it must be paid at separation unless the employer's written policy clearly provides otherwise.
Two routes: file a wage claim with the New Jersey Department of Labor — Division of Wage and Hour Compliance (https://www.nj.gov/labor/myworkrights/wages/), or sue in small claims court where an individual's claim limit is $5,000. A dated written demand sent first is what makes either route easier, because it fixes the date the employer was on notice.
Only official sources are used: the state labor agency, the statute itself, and where relevant the U.S. Department of Labor. Third-party summary sites are deliberately excluded because they disagree with each other on penalty formulas.
Reviewed 2026-11-03 · reviewed again every 90 days.
being fired · resigning · a layoff · unused PTO · unpaid commissions