how many times am i as an employer required to stop payment?

Question

I rewrote this from another question
I had three employees who were related and two pay periods they stated their checks (which were mailed) never came so I stopped payment cost around 100.00 and reissued then had them hand delivered by courier. Then they lost one of the checks...so im out about 150.00 with courier stop pay and just harassment now the last check that was lost is for 162.00.....do I have to write yet another check
by law

Answer 1

Yes, you have to pay them, however since they lost the checks you can also deduct the fee from their pay. You could also consider the risk of the "lost" check ever being presented vs. the cost of stopping payment on it. Don't bother with courier. You didn't create the problem so make them be part of the fix.

Answer 2

I understand. It's extremely frustrating when you're dealing with incompetent employees who can't keep track of something as important as their paycheck.

Direct deposit is the way to go and is not as expensive as you might think. My company has a payroll provider for its 25 employees and it only costs about $25 per pay period.

Check with your bank to see if they can recommend a payroll provider to you. Also some accounting packages provide this as an option using a third party service.

Make sure to inform any new employees that having a bank account (and providing you with their banking information for payroll purposes) is a "condition of employment".

Answer 3

you have to pay your employees.

you don't have to stop payment on 'lost' checks, nor use courier service to deliver them.

let them pick up checks at work, including replacement checks.

***
as explained in another thread [yours? not sure], i don't stop payment. i just write anohter check and if first one gets cashed, employee and I have a meeting down at the police station with the forgery squad. either they sign the forgery complaint, or i fire 'em on the spot.

***
maybe they did lose 'em ... and maybe they drank 'em down at the pub and want you to pay for it.

if it is the latter ... time to dump 'em anyway and one week's pay is cheap severance.


GL

Answer 4

Try this - require your employees to have direct deposit.