Unpaid Wages Demand Letter Template

An unpaid wages demand letter is a document an employee sends to an employer to request payment for outstanding wages. This letter often serves as a final notice before taking legal action or filing a wage complaint with the labor department. It specifies the amount owed, establishes a payment deadline, and outlines potential consequences if the wages are not paid.

Unpaid Wages Demand Letter Template

An unpaid wages demand letter is a document an employee sends to an employer to request payment for outstanding wages. This letter often serves as a final notice before taking legal action or filing a wage complaint with the labor department. It specifies the amount owed, establishes a payment deadline, and outlines potential consequences if the wages are not paid.

Last updated March 18th, 2025

An unpaid wages demand letter is a document an employee sends to an employer to request payment for outstanding wages. This letter often serves as a final notice before taking legal action or filing a wage complaint with the labor department. It specifies the amount owed, establishes a payment deadline, and outlines potential consequences if the wages are not paid.

  1. Home »
  2. Demand Letter »
  3. Unpaid Wages

Demanding Final Paychecks

Employees seeking their final paycheck should take note of their state’s laws on payment deadlines after termination. For example, in Florida and Georgia, employers aren’t required to pay immediately, whereas in California, employees are typically entitled to their final check immediately upon termination.

More information on the timing requirements for final paychecks can be obtained from the applicable state labor department.

Before Sending: Important Information

Before sending a demand letter for unpaid wages, the employee should make a copy for their records and store it securely. It is also important to maintain proof of when and how the letter was sent in case the employer claims they never received it.

For delivery, it is recommended that the letter be sent using certified mail or another service with tracking and delivery confirmation.

Sample

Download: PDFWord (.docx)OpenDocument

UNPAID WAGES DEMAND LETTER

[EMPLOYEE NAME]
[EMPLOYEE ADDRESS]
[EMPLOYEE CONTACT INFO]

Date: [DATE]

[RECIPIENT NAME (AND TITLE, IF APPLICABLE)]
[RECIPIENT BUSINESS NAME (IF APPLICABLE)]
[RECIPIENT ADDRESS]

THIS IS MY FINAL ATTEMPT TO COLLECT UNPAID WAGES

Dear [RECIPIENT NAME],

You currently owe me $[DOLLAR AMOUNT] in unpaid wages for the period of [DATE] to [DATE].

You will be given [#] business days to pay the full amount owed.

If there is no response to this letter, all legal rights shall be explored, including, but not limited to, legal proceedings necessary to recover the debt without further notice or this debt may be transferred to a collection agency in accordance with state and federal laws.

This demand letter for payment serves as official notice to you and may be tendered in court as evidence of your failure to pay. If legal action is to occur, it may involve having you pay attorney’s fees and may impact your credit history.

I hope to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

________________________
[EMPLOYEE NAME]