Senate Bill 22-161 ups the ante for employer wage mishaps. Beginning January 1, 2023, employers who don’t pay owed wages within 14 days will face an automatic penalty of either two times the amount of the unpaid wages, or $1,000, whichever is greater. For proven willful violations, that goes up to three times or $3,000. Employees can now make demands for similarly situated employees on their behalf, as well as on their own.
