In 1964, state law will require at least 2 paydays each month

If you are getting paid once a month now, and feel that the time between checks is too long, things will be different beginning January 1, 1964.

That's when the revised Payment of Wages Law passed by the Legislature last spring goes into effect.

At a press conference today, Alfred Laureta, director of the State Labor Department, said the new law is designed to help employees collect their wages from employers.

And one of the major provisions of this law is to assure employees—from domestics to executives—of two regular paychecks a month designated in advance.

This doesn't apply to those in the service of the Federal, State or County Governments, Laureta said.

Unless paydays are reasonably frequent, their value is diminished because in many cases employees would be forced to ask for an advance, with interest charged in some cases, he said.

The two payday-a-month requirement would help merchants also as money would be put into circulation more evenly during the month.

The result would be a minimum of peaks and valleys in sales and inventories, and retailers would not have to carry large inventories or be burdened with credit risks.

This was the intent of the Legislature in passing the law, Laureta said.

Employers will also be required to pay employees within seven days after the end of each pay period compared to the present 15 days.

If an employer refuses to pay as required, an employee may file a claim for unpaid wages with the Enforcement Division of the State Labor Department.