Payday change proposed for state workers

State workers would be paid every other week instead of twice of month in a bill introduced at the legislature.

The governor’s bill would change the current pay distribution system. State Auditor Glen Gainer said the change is long overdue.

“Wage and hour law in West Virginia actually requires employers to pay bi-weekly. However, when that change was made we did not have the ability with our existing payroll system to pay bi-weekly,” Gainer said.

State workers are now paid at the middle and end of months. Getting paid every two weeks would provide three paydays in a few months each year.

The bill only changes two words in current state law.

“We’re saying we’ll pay no less than twice a month, which will allow us to fall in comfortable with everybody else,” Gainer said.

The bill is currently before the Senate Government Organization Committee.