What you should get when you leave
Whether you resign, are dismissed or are retrenched, your employer must settle everything you have earned. Check your final pay against this list before you sign anything.
Your final pay checklist
| Checked | Item | When it applies | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wages to your last day | Always | Every day worked up to and including your last day | |
| Overtime, commission or bonus already earned | If your contract or pay records show it is owed | Hours or sales up to your last day | |
| Accrued, unused vacation | Usually; always check your contract | Days not taken x your daily rate. The Ministry of Labour advises it should be paid on retrenchment | |
| Pay in lieu of notice | If your employer ends your job without letting you work the notice period | The notice in your contract. For retrenchment of five or more workers, 45 days | |
| Severance | Retrenchment only, after more than one completed year of service | Use the employee severance calculator | |
| Deductions | Always | Only NIS, PAYE, Health Surcharge and deductions you agreed to in writing |
Your ticks are not saved.
Notice
- If you resign: give the notice your contract states, in writing, and keep a copy. If your contract says nothing, give reasonable notice; two weeks is common.
- If you are retrenched: where five or more workers are retrenched, the law requires at least 45 days' written notice and you keep full pay until the end date. For fewer than five, the Act sets no notice period, but the Ministry of Labour advises at least two weeks' notice under common law.
Paperwork you should receive
- A final payslip or settlement statement showing each amount and deduction.
- Your TD4 (statement of earnings and tax deducted) by the end of February of the following year, for your tax return.
- A letter confirming your dates of employment and job title, if you ask for one.
Before you sign
- Read any settlement statement line by line against the checklist above.
- Be careful with any document that says "full and final settlement" or that you have "no further claims". Get advice first, especially if you think the dismissal was unfair.
- If severance is still unpaid 30 days after your notice period ends, it can be taken to the Industrial Court through your union or the Minister of Labour.
Your responsibilities
- Return company property (keys, equipment, uniforms, documents) and get a receipt.
- Keep your NIS number and copies of your payslips. They stay important for NIS benefits long after you leave.
Sources: Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act, Chap. 88:13, sections 4, 6, 18 and 22 (laws.gov.tt); Ministry of Labour, CAAD FAQ.
Last reviewed: October 2026
General guidance only, not legal advice.