West Virginia Payroll Rules

Frequency & Manner of Payments

You must pay your employees at least once every two (2) weeks.

You may pay your employees by cash, check, payroll card, or direct deposit.

Payment Upon Separation

If you discharge an employee for any reason, you must pay them within 72 hours of the discharge.

If the employee quits or resigns voluntarily and gives at least one pay period’s notice, you must pay them immediately. If they do not give at least one pay period’s notice, you must pay them by the next regular payday.

Deductions

You can only make a deduction from an employee’s paycheck if

• required by law;
• authorized for union or club dues, pension plans, payroll savings plans, credit unions, charities, and hospitalization and medical insurance; or
• agreed to by the employee.

Uniforms & Other Required Equipment or Tools

West Virginia does not have any laws about whether you can require an employee to purchase a uniform or equipment necessary for them to do their job.

Pre-Hire Medical, Physical, & Drug Tests

West Virginia does not have any laws about whether you can require employees to pay for pre-hire exams.

Notice of Wage Reduction

You must notify an employee in writing or through posted notice before making any changes to their pay rate, or to the day, hour, or place of payment.

Paystubs

Each payday, you must provide each employee with a list of their deductions.

Recordkeeping

For each employee, you must keep the following records for at least two (2) years:

• name and address;
• rate of pay;
• hours worked;
• payroll deductions; and
• amount paid each pay period.

Notices

You must:

• notify new employees of their rate of pay, and the day, hour, and place of payment;
• notify an employee in writing or through posted notice before making any changes to their pay rate, or to the day, hour, or place of payment; and
• make available, in writing or through posted notice, employment practices and policies regarding vacation pay, sick leave, and comparable matters.