Client contract soon ends, how long employer can retain an employee

[Rearden]

Contract with a direct client ends soon. How long the employer can have employee on payroll before placing to new client?

To simply put on other way, is it legal to be on bench (with pay) while finding a new client?

P.S. H1 B job.

[wiweq]

The 'must' for H1b status is that you get paid during every pay cylce from your H1b employer. You work or on bench doesn't matter.

[livliv]

Absolutely. It is illegal to bench without pay, but there is nothing wrong with benching with pay as long as the employer likes (until the petition expires of course).

[JoeF]

The employer can keep the person on payroll indefinitely.

The important thing is that on H1, the person gets paid all the time, even on bench.

[Rearden]

Thank you, WiWeq, LivLiv, & JoeF. your reply brought me great relief.