Legal Question in Business Law in Utah

Re: Can they do this?

No. First call Utah Employment Security and see what they can do. Second, sue the employer for the wages - probably in small claims court.

Re: Can they do this?

Hello,

It sounds like the following Utah law applies to your situation (here are the relevant portions):

Separation from payroll -- Resignation -- Cessation because of industrial dispute.

(1) (a) Whenever an employer separates an employee from the employer's payroll the unpaid wages of the employee become due immediately, and the employer shall pay the wages to the employee within 24 hours of the time of separation at the specified place of payment.

(b) (i) In case of failure to pay wages due an employee within 24 hours of written demand, the wages of the employee shall continue from the date of demand until paid, but in no event to exceed 60 days, at the same rate that the employee received at the time of separation.

(ii) The employee may recover the penalty thus accruing to the employee in a civil action. This action must be commenced within 60 days from the date of separation.

(iii) An employee who has not made a written demand for payment is not entitled to any penalty under Subsection (1)(b).

(2) If an employee does not have a written contract for a definite period and resigns the employee's employment, the wages earned and unpaid together with any deposit held by the employer and properly belonging to the resigned employee for the performance of the employee's employment duties become due and payable on the next regular payday.

It looks like you're entitled to more than your wages up to severance. You may have to file a lawsuit to collect however.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

M. Larew (801) 573-2377