An unpaid wages demand letter is a formal request submitted to an employer by an employee for past wages commonly sent when the sender has retired or resigned from the company. It indicates the unpaid wages in amount, provides an account number, a request for payment, and an acceptable timeline.
Note: Because the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not cover unpaid wages, the employee must familiarize themselves with state laws before drafting this letter.
Addressing unpaid wages can seem daunting for many people, many of whom would rather wait for their employer to ‘remember’ and pay them. Fortunately, a demand letter is considered a professional and acceptable way to register a complaint in the corporate world.
Collecting Unpaid Wages
While many states do not impose a timeline on sending an employee’s last check, some states require that it be sent immediately after the employee leaves the company. This means that your success at recovering your unpaid wages will hinge on your ability to convince your employer to pay. You can do this by motivating them or threatening court action.
Regardless of your home state, employees are entitled to requesting the following types of unpaid wages upon leaving a company:
- Minimum wage
- Overtime payment
- Last salary
- Unpaid benefits
What to Include in Your Demand Letter
A detailed demand letter will help prevent any back and forth between you and your employer and hasten the payment process. Here is what your letter should include:
- A detailed summary of your employment status and how it has changed. Include date where applicable.
- A summary of the situation that resulted in your unpaid wages
- The amount your employer owes you
- A timeline for when you would like to receive the payment
- The steps you are willing to take if the reader fails to respond
- Your contact information
What Not to Include
Your Unpaid Wages Demand Letter can be read by a judge or jury as part of a court case, meaning you don’t want to include anything that could hurt your case. This may include:
- Disrespecting or threatening language
- Expressions of anger
- Demeaning or discriminatory remarks
- Threats of violence
Tips for Writing an Unpaid Wages Demand Letter
Consider the following pointers when drafting your letter:
- Always study the laws in your state regarding employment before drafting this demand letter
- Include supporting document to back up your claim
- Always remain neutral and factual in your account of events
- If you are unsure of how employment laws apply to your case, consult an attorney
Unpaid Wages Demand Letter Format
{Date}
{Recipient’s Name}
{Company Name}
{Company Address}
{City, State, Zip Code}
Re: {Nature of Demand}
Dear {Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name},
This is in regards to my employment at {company name}, which {was terminated or ended} on {retirement/resignation date}. As of the writing of this letter, the company owes me {amount in dollars} in unpaid wages. I, hereby, request that the amount be paid to {account number} by {deadline}.
I am ready to {consequences of non-payment} should you ignore this letter. Feel free to contact me at {contact information} if you wish to further discuss this matter.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
{Your Name}
{Your Signature}
Sample Unpaid Wages Demand Letter
15 March 2031
William Trufoe
ABC Company
123 Main Road
Boulder, CO 009030
Re: Unpaid Wages
Dear Mr. Trufoe,
This is in regards to my employment at ABC Company, which ended on 1 March 2031. As of the writing of this letter, the company owes me $14,900 in unpaid wages. I hereby request that the amount be paid to AC EG/0009 by 28 March 2031.
If you believe the amount stated is not what is owed to me, you are required by law to make the payment that tallies with your records and include a letter explaining the decision. I will also require proof as I have included the necessary documents to establish my claim.
Please note that I am ready to take legal action if you do not respond in the next 15 business days. You can contact me at hannahgrace@email.com if you wish to discuss this matter further.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Hannah Grace
Unpaid Wages Demand Letter (Template)
Key Takeaways
Besides helping you launch your complaint, an Unpaid Wages Demand Letter can come in handy in a legal proceeding should your employer ignore your request. This is why you must draft it according to state laws, which you can access on the Department of Labor website for your state.
