delay in salary payment is not allowed, but one should understand that small and med. size firms don't have much capital to start with, and they all depend on the income from the business (which is wrong)

Throughout my entire business life (more than 27 years) we always pay the staff on 3rd of the month (just to give time to close payroll). and in case of holiday, it's paid in advance.

Little things that keep the business successful:
payroll on time and staff motivation.