Compensation - District of Columbia

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act contains certain provisions in regard to compensation in terms of minimum wage, overtime, child labor and recordkeeping requirements. Corresponding state provisions will be found under those topic areas. States are free to adopt additional provisions that are not regulated by the federal government such as frequency of payday and wage deductions. These provisions are discussed in this section.

The District of Columbia has the following provisions:

Itemized statement
Every employer shall furnish to each employee at the time of payment of wages an itemized statement showing the date of the wage payment, gross wages paid, deductions from and additions to wages, net wages paid, hours worked during the pay period, and any other information the Mayor prescribes by regulation. §32-1008(b)

Frequency of payday
Every employer shall pay all wages earned to his employees at least twice during each calendar month, on regular paydays designated in advance by the employer; provided that an interval of not more than 10 working days may elapse between the end of the pay period and the payday, except where a different period is specified in a collective bargaining agreement. § 32-1302

Wage deductions
Deductions are not allowed for breakage, for mistakes on customer checks or similar charges, or for fines or assessments if the payment reduces wages below minimum wage.

Deductions are not allowed for uniforms or protective clothing required by the employer.

Limited deductions are allowed for meals and lodging. Wage-Hour Rules Chapter 9

State

Contact

Department of Employment Services

Regulations

Itemized statement
District of Columbia Code Title 32, Chapter 10, §32-1008(b)

Frequency of payday
District of Columbia Code Title 32, Chapter 13, § 32-1302

Wage deductions
District of Columbia Wage-Hour Rules Chapter 9

Federal

Contacts

None.

Regulations

None.