Missouri Wage Payment Laws

Frequency of Wage Payments

Any corporation doing business in Missouri and all persons operating railroads or railroad shops in Missouri must pay wages at least two (2) times per month (semi-monthly). The wages must be paid within sixteen (16) days of the close of each payroll period. Executive, administrative and professional employees and salespeople and other employees compensated in whole or in part on a commission basis, at the option of such employers, may be paid monthly. MO Statute 290.080

Manner of Wage Payments

An employer may pay employees by cash or check, draft, or other voucher redeemable for full face value without deduction. MO Statute 290.080

Direct Deposit

There is no state law regarding payment by direct deposit, however, the state itself mandates all employees use direct deposit or by paid by pay card. MN Office of Administration Direct Deposit Info Thus, it is likely lawful for private employers to do the same.

Payroll Card

There is no state law regarding payment by direct deposit, however, the state itself mandates all employees use direct deposit or by paid by pay card. MN Office of Administration Direct Deposit Info Thus, it is likely lawful for private employers to do the same.

Payment upon Separation from Employment

Employees who are fired, discharged, terminated, or laid off

When an employer discharges or lays off an employee, the employer must pay the employee all wages due on the day of discharge. If the wages are not paid on the date of discharge, the employee should request in writing that the employer pay the wages. If the wages are not paid by the employer within seven (7) days of the request, the employee can seek payment of the wages by filing suit against the employer in civil court. MO Statute 290.110

Employees who quit or resign

Missouri has no law regarding an when an employer must pay an employee who has voluntarily quit employment. Presumably an employer would pay an employee who quit employment by the next regular pay day on which the wages would have been paid had employment continued.

Employees who are suspended or resigns due to a labor dispute (strike)

Missouri has no law regarding an when an employer must pay an employee who has resigned due to a labor dispute. Presumably an employer would pay an employee who resigned employment due to a labor dispute by the next regular pay day on which the wages would have been paid had employment continued.

Wages in Dispute

Missouri does not have any laws requiring an employer to pay an employee wages conceded to be due when involved in a wage dispute with the employee.

Deductions from Wages

Missouri does not have any laws regarding what deductions may or may not be taken from an employees paycheck or whether an employee must provide written consent prior to any deduction. The lack of a law prohibiting deductions likely means an employer can withhold or deduct wages from an employees pay check for:

• cash shortages
• breakage, damage, or loss of the employer’s property
• dishonored or returned checks
• required uniforms
• required tools
• other items necessary for employment

An employer can deduct the cost the following from an employee’s wages, unless the deduction would drop the employee’s wage rate below either the state or federal minimum wage:

• Tools;
• Equipment;
• Uniforms, including, but not limited to, garments such as suits, dresses, aprons and all other garments whatsoever as worn by the employees as a condition of employment. This apparel of a similar design, color or material, or forming part of the decorative pattern of the establishment or distinguishing the employee as an employee of the concern is presumed to be worn as a condition of employment;
• Laundry or cleaning of uniforms;
• Maintenance of tools, equipment or uniforms;
• Breakage or loss of tools, equipment or uniforms;
• Any other item required by the employer to be worn or used by the employee as a condition of employment; and
• Transportation furnished to the employee where that transportation is an incident of and necessary to the employment, such as travel costs of railroad maintenance-of-way workers.

MO Reg. 8:30-4.050

Uniforms, Tools, and Other Equipment Necessary for Employment

An employer can deduct the cost the following from an employee’s wages, unless the deduction would drop the employee’s wage rate below either the state or federal minimum wage:

• Tools;
• Equipment;
• Uniforms, including, but not limited to, garments such as suits, dresses, aprons and all other garments whatsoever as worn by the employees as a condition of employment. This apparel of a similar design, color or material, or forming part of the decorative pattern of the establishment or distinguishing the employee as an employee of the concern is presumed to be worn as a condition of employment;
• Laundry or cleaning of uniforms;
• Maintenance of tools, equipment or uniforms;
• Breakage or loss of tools, equipment or uniforms; and
• Any other item required by the employer to be worn or used by the employee as a condition of employment.

MO Reg. 8:30-4.050

Pre-hire Medical, Physical, or Drug Tests

Missouri does not have any laws prohibiting an employer from requiring an applicant or employee to pay the cost of a medical examination or the cost of furnishing any records required by the employer as a condition of employment.

Notice of Wage Reduction

An employer must give an employee thirty (30) days written notice of its intent to reduce the employee’s wages. The notice may be given a written letter or by posting a notice in a conspicuous location. MO Statute 290.100

Statement of Wages (Pay Stub)

Any corporations or railroad must furnish employees at least once a month with a statement showing the total amount of deductions for the period. MO Statute 290.080

Record Keeping Requirements

An employer must make and keep for a period of not less than three (3) years on or about the premises wherein any employee is employed or at some other premises which is suitable to the employer, a record of:

• the name, address and occupation of each of his employees,
• the rate of pay,
• the amount paid each pay period to each employee,
• the hours worked each day and each workweek by the employee, and
• any goods or services provided by the employer to the employee in lieu of wages.

MO Statute 290.520

Notice Requirements

Missouri does not have any laws requiring employers to provide employees, whether at hire or at any other time, of notice of wage rates, dates of pay, employment policies, fringe benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment.