An unpaid wages demand letter is a notice sent to your current or former employer requesting that they pay you owed wages for work done or overtime. It details your relationship with the employer, the work for which you have not been paid, the amount due, and the account number to which it should be sent. Typically, it is sent then you get laid off or leave a company on your own accord.
When leaving your former employer, your unpaid wages may not be top on your list of priorities. When you do finally get to it, you have the right to request that the company send you your money. This letter will help you accomplish that.
What to Include in an Unpaid Wages Demand Letter
A demand letter for unpaid wages does more than help you recover your money; it also protects you from retaliation from your employer. If you fear being fired or demoted, for example, this letter can properly document your demand, acting as legal protection.
Because of how crucial this letter might be, you should be careful when drafting it. Ensure it includes the following key details:
- The date the letter was written
- The name and contact information of the recipient
- A brief description of your relationship with the employer i.e. are you a current employee, did you resign, or were you fired?
- The amount you are owed
- The type of wages you are owed
- The dates when covered by the unpaid wages
- Your address where the owed wages can be sent
Possible Consequences of Non-Compliance: If the recipient does not respond to your Unpaid Wages Demand Letter, you should follow up the initial correspondence with some emails or calls. If you still do not receive any communication, you can file a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The commission will then help you recover your owed wages by enforcing the Texas Payday Law.
Submitting a Wage Claim
In Texas, you have exactly 180 days from the date your wages were due to file claim with the TWC. This is not a lot of time considering the number of days it may take to get a response. If you are considering filing a complaint, you should consult an experienced employment attorney.
Unpaid Wages Demand Letter (Texas) – Format
{Date}
{Employer’s Name}
{Company Name}
{Company Address}
{City, State, Zip Code}
Re: Unpaid Wages
Dear {Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name},
I recently {resigned/retired etc.} from {company name} as {previous job title} on {date}. I am writing to request that the amount I am owed of {amount} for {salary/overtime/unpaid wages etc.} be credited to my account within the next {provide timeline}.
If you do not respond to this letter, I will be forced to {mention consequences of non-compliance}. This may result in {how your actions may affect the company}.
If you believe that the amount owed to me is different than the one stated here, you must pay the sum that tallies with your records and provide justification for the difference in calculations.
I hope this matter is resolved as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
{Your Name}
{Your Signature}
Sample Unpaid Wages Demand Letter (Texas)
2 March 2031
Indiana Fay
ABC Company
009 Grace Street
Houston, TX
Re: Unpaid Wages
Dear Mrs. Fay,
I recently resigned from ABC Company as a senior consultant on 27 February 2031. I am writing to request that the amount of $5,700 owed to me for unpaid wages and benefits, for the period 27 January to 27 February 2031, be credited to my account within the next 7 business days.
The amount, which should have been sent upon my resignation, is way overdue. It should be credited to 200/AC/SD in its integrity. If you do not respond to this letter, I will be forced to take legal action or forward the amount to a collections agency.
If you believe that the amount owed to me is different than the one stated here, you must pay the sum that tallies with your records and provide justification for the difference in calculations.
I hope this matter is resolved as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Isaac Rector
Unpaid Wages Demand Letter (Word Template)
Key Takeaways
If you are trying to recover wages owed to you, an unpaid wages demand letter is the best way to go about the process. Keep your message, short, to the point, and factual. Help the reader locate your record by introducing yourself in the first paragraph then get to the point.
