What does an employee's last paycheck typically include?

An employee's last paycheck typically includes all wages earned before departing the job. This encompasses not only the base salary for the final pay period worked but also any accrued overtime, commission, or other compensation that the employee is entitled to receive for the time they worked prior to their departure.

Including only the base salary would not fully account for the total earnings an employee has accumulated up to their last working day, which is why the understanding of earned wages is crucial. Future wages for upcoming pay periods would not be included, as they pertain to work not yet performed, and any bonus payments are only included if they were earned and applicable before the employee leaves. In Connecticut, employers are typically required to pay all earned wages, ensuring that employees receive what they have rightfully earned before their termination or resignation.