Back Pay

/ˈbæk peɪ/

Definitions

  1. (n.) Wages or salary owed to an employee for work performed in the past but not yet paid.
    The court awarded the plaintiff back pay for the period of unlawful termination.
  2. (n.) Payment of pension or benefits retroactively ordered by a tribunal or claims board.
    The veteran received back pay after successfully appealing the benefits decision.

Forms

  • back pay

Commentary

Back pay commonly arises in employment law disputes and may cover unpaid wages, benefits, or pension payments retrospectively; precise calculation and period covered often require careful legal and factual analysis.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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