No, an employer cannot withhold an employee's paycheck. If your employer has not paid you for the hours you worked, then you can file a compliant with the Department of Labor Laws. Each state has specific laws to protect employee's rights. Employers do have a specific time frame in which they must pay you. You may also be able to sue for interest on the money they withheld from you. Visit
. the U.S. Department of Labor Laws website at http://www.dol.gov/index.htm for more information on labor laws.