I need some internet hugs (long)......

JBDamonM

I've hesitated posting about this, b/c I hate airing my dirty laundry but I am in a bad place and need some support   And as you read on you may understand why there arent many people IRL I can talk to about this.....

So, right when I went back to work from Maternity leave - DH took a new job. The job was with a super small company (he was employee number 4).... The two women who own the company all but said ownership to him..... And they approached him about coming to work for them, not the other way around....It was the type of move we both thought would be a game changer for us, the opportunity seemed amazing and therefore, should have known it would be too good to be true.

In part of their discussions DH told them about a state grant program they could apply for - designed for small business and they could be awarded btwn 40 and 80K. However, per their discussions, his position was not contingent on this grant.

So after just a few weeks, these two owners started freaking out about money........in front of my husband none the less. He (in what I consider a HUGE mistake) told them they could hold  his first paycheck buying time for the grant money to come in. Somehow she turned this into the first two checks. He worked  for 2 months before he saw a single paycheck and when he finally got paid on 9/9, it was just one check, with the promise he would be all caught up by the end of the month.

About 3 weeks after he started, one of the owners started totally micro-managing him. She very quickly became very difficult to work for. His job was to do business development and  yet he got reeemed for taking a long lunch with a CEO of a local hospital - and then told he should focus on business that could be done via conference calls.

The kicker came the Friday before Labor day weekend when they called him (b/c they were both home while he was in the office that day in case somehting came up) and told him they were changing his salary effective October 1 to straight commission. As I am sure youc an all imagine, with LO's at home, NOT what you want to hear.... Especially when he hadn't even been there 2 months yet - so obviously was just getting started with building business.

This sent us into panic mode and we are SO SO SO fortunate that he found another job within a week. He actually started that new job this week. But not before she told him last week that she couldn't pay him......AGAIN. 

So, here we sit, 3 months after I went back to work from a partially unpaid leave, down thousands of dollars. We've pretty much killed our nest egg over the past few months since life's other commitments don't stop just b/c of this mess. They told him he would have a check as soon as the grant money came in and that was supposed to be this week. (blah blah blah blah)......He text one of them this morning - no response. Oh and best part - since he stayed in the industry, yesterday this old boss/owner called someone at the new company  and was questioning him on when DH started.... and said "how she fiinds it odd that he found a new job so quickly, and he must have been working it for a while, when she was paying him a salary..." Um - WTF!?!?!? How about you just let it go, be happy he saved you the headache and shut your piehole, since you actually haven't paid him a salary.

So, looks like there is a very good chance this is going to the state labor board. I am dumb founded. These women both have young kids and I dont for the life of me understand how you hire someone knowing you can't pay them. I am angry. I am depressed that my life has come to this and I am stressed to the max on finances. Paying a full time daycare bill is stressful enough in itself, adding this to it is like my worst nightmare. I've been crying all morning....I truly can't believe we're in this position. And the only downside to the new job is it's a small salary plus commission, so it's probably going to be about 2 months before the comissions start coming in, more the reason why we need all of the back wages stat.

UGH. So if anyone has some paycheck vibes they would like to send my way, please feel free.

Thanks for letting me vent!

kaf7

Ugh!!! That's so stressful. I am sending you lots of hugs and hopes for a quick resolution and a paycheck.

ccam

I'm so sorry that you guys are going through this!!  I hope it's resolved quickly so you guys can move on.  Worrying about finances is the worst!!  Hugs to you!

ELF4321

That's horrible. If he hasn't already filed a wage claim with the state, do it ASAP. Many states have a short statute of limitations for such claims and the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove it. FYI, it is not a defense that he agreed to them holding his first check -- they are required to pay their employees what is owed and it is illegal to withhold his pay even if he agreed to it.

TJ1979

Oh JB, I'm so sorry. That must be so stressful. Stressing about finances is the worst. Especially when there isn't much you can do about it. Sending you lots of hugs and praying things get better for you quickly.

mcgeeva

Wow is all I can say to this! So dissapointing on so many levels. Please sue the @hit out of them for backpay he is owed!! Two he was hired under a specific agreement to then turn him to commission is BS! I'm so sorry that is such a stressful situation to be in. I really hope his new job is better. Small business can either be the most understanding, flexable places or the ones that crap on you the most!

Mrs.AmyDylan

Huge hugs. I'm so sorry. 

So question, do you have an attorney in the family or a close friend IRL? I worked for a small company that withheld my commission when I left (honestly, they couldn't afford to pay me). DHs grandmother is an attorney and wrote a letter giving them a payment plan over three months. Luckily they complied and we didn't have to pursue action, but me asking wasn't enough. is this something you could do? She doesn't even do this type of law, but just the attorney letterhead was enough to scare them. Also send the letter certified mail where they will have to sign receipt. I would avoid paying a lot for legal services since it doesn't sound like you can afford it and it may be a no-win situation. Collect all your documentation and have it ready. 

kmc84

Giant hugs to you! That is really crappy . I would be looking into legal action ASAP.

Dragonfly1226

Oh gosh! That is crazy! I am so sorry your dh got screwed by these ladies. What are horrible thing to do to someone, especially someone who just had a new baby. I hope he gets paid soon hon. Sending tons of good vibes your way! (((((Hugs)))))

JBDamonM

Mrs.AmyDylan said:

Huge hugs. I'm so sorry. 

So question, do you have an attorney in the family or a close friend IRL? I worked for a small company that withheld my commission when I left (honestly, they couldn't afford to pay me). DHs grandmother is an attorney and wrote a letter giving them a payment plan over three months. Luckily they complied and we didn't have to pursue action, but me asking wasn't enough. is this something you could do? She doesn't even do this type of law, but just the attorney letterhead was enough to scare them. Also send the letter certified mail where they will have to sign receipt. I would avoid paying a lot for legal services since it doesn't sound like you can afford it and it may be a no-win situation. Collect all your documentation and have it ready. 

Yes, we actually do.

THe thing is - he did make them all of these offers and they just kept saying they couldn't afford to pay him. The sickest part - they say it matter of factly..... Not even like it's wrong. And not once have they apologized.

THe letter head is a good idea. He did tell them he wouldn't hesitate to go to the state labor board, but now he's waivering too much for my liking in an attempt to save face. Why bother? I actually know the answer to that - b/c he met them through a local organization that he is president of, and he knows there paths are going to keep crossing, but who cares, these girls deserve to be dragged through the mud and made to look horrendous.

jessica_gail2

That's awful. It's crazy the kinds of ppl who can start a business who have no clue (and clearly no moral compass if they're ok with holding pay from a man who needs to support his family). So sorry. Praying things look up VERY quickly!

MoFree

I'm really sorry. I suggest your DH consult a labor lawyer.

CarrieB.

I'm so sorry. Sending lots of hugs. Hope you can find a good resolution.

JBDamonM

Thanks for the support ladies. I thought I would feel so much better after venting this out, but nope, still feel like crap DH has a connection with the state who did some digging today and found out the grant money is still probably 3 weeks away. Ugh. So we have decided to come up with a plan of action over the weekend. Frankly we can't wait 3 weeks to get paid for work he did in August (nor should we have to.) still, I feel like we are stuck against a wall and not very hopeful that we will get anywhere I am just so angry and know that I won't be able to relax until the money is deposited into our account. And I need this to happen so we can all move on. Tension is at an all time high around here and it's not fair. Lastly I am really hurt because my mom is the onky person in my family who knows all of this and she hasn't offered to help at all. I realize I am an adult and its NO ONE else's responsibility to help me out of this mess, but my god, just the offer would give me some relief. Instead I'm falling apart big time and she's apparently ok with watching and not even worried

IBackBevo

Oh, man!  That sucks!!!  Definitely take this to the labor board or the workforce commission and get the money that is owed you.  I'm sorry you are dealing with this.

fabulouspinkmady

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope it gets resolved sooner than later. Hugs!