What is a check issued to an employee as compensation for their work called?

A check issued to an employee as compensation for their work is called a paper check. This type of payment method is traditional and involves physically writing a check that can be cashed or deposited by the employee. A paper check is a tangible form of payment, making it clear and straightforward for employees to understand that they are receiving compensation for their services.

In contrast, direct deposit refers to electronically transferring funds directly into an employee's bank account, which does not involve a physical check. A pay stub is a document that accompanies a payment, detailing the hours worked, deductions, and net pay but is not a form of payment itself. A payroll voucher is typically used as a reference or approval document related to payroll processing but does not serve as the actual payment to employees. Hence, the term "paper check" distinctly identifies the method of compensation being asked about in the question.