Advice needed about Work

[whtyger97]

My boss told me to hold my paycheck today, indefinetly. This is the paycheck of January 15-31st she still owes me one for Febuary 1-15, and since i'm here today, a 3rd one for atleast today. She is hoping that several past due accounts will pay so that she can cover the checks (if they pay i think that will only cover the first set). Either way she is closing the business at the end of the month.
What should you/would you do? (Any and all opinions welcome)
(it is a part time job, and the total of all three paychecks would be less then 1k)

 

[shep]

I would cash the one from January..
If the business is closing at the end of the month; you might be working for free if you don't..

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Wait . . .holding your paycheck?? So you've worked basically for no money the last couple weeks and continue to go in??

Is that legal? To withhold a paycheck until debts clear? For me personally I would get up and leave now . . .and then I'd figure out a way to get my pay that your boss owes.

I've never heard of such a thing . . .??

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I don't think I would work another hour for your boss. You may never get paid for the work that you have already rendered.

Do you need her for a reference for another job? Can you collect unemployment?

Good luck!

Lori

 

[whtyger97]

The mail reason i haven't just 'run out and cashed it' is that i'm afraid there isn't enough money in the account to cover the check, and someone suggested to me that if i did cash it and it bounced it could cause problems for me.

 

[Jillpie]

She's taking you for a ride. Get off the train now and insist on getting a real paycheck. You are working for free whether you like it or not.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Tell your boss that you are sorry but you need the money in your account now. Get to the bank and deposit every check that you are holding. You do not want to be standing in a long line of creditors hoping for your money once this business files for bankruptcy.

It's up to you whether or not you want to finish up the month working, but understand that if you do you are taking a BIG chance that you will not be paid.

 

[jkovick]

Call the bank that the check is drawn off of. Ask to verify funds on the check. They will tell you yes or no if the funds are available in that account. If funds are available go to that bank TODAY and cash the check out right. The $$ will be taken directly out of the account and you will not have any problems. The problem could arise if you took the check and deposited it in your bank and then it bounced and you would have to "pay back" your bank for the bad check. Good Luck.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, if there is no money in the account you will be charged fees plus have to pay it back if you spend it.

As far as what I would actually do, I don't know. If you found out there was money in the account would you cash the checks? Would you be counting on this employer as a next reference for another job?

Tough spot, lets hope the clients pay up!

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by jkovick
Call the bank that the check is drawn off of. Ask to verify funds on the check. They will tell you yes or no if the funds are available in that account. If funds are available go to that bank TODAY and cash the check out right. The $$ will be taken directly out of the account and you will not have any problems. The problem could arise if you took the check and deposited it in your bank and then it bounced and you would have to "pay back" your bank for the bad check. Good Luck.

I second that! Go directly to the bank it is drawn on, and take cash. Don't go to your bank where more trouble could arise because of funds. And GET THE HECK OUT OF THAT JOB NOW!

 

[whtyger97]

Thanks for the advice, i'm on the phone with the bank right now to see if there are funds to cover it (or even if they'll give the info out). I'm still at work now because i'm i was already here when i found out, and i'm trying to figure out what to do, I know full well thats its very unlikely i'll see the money for today.
Just got off the phone with the bank, they are unable to verify funds, oh well, atleast i tried.
The only check i'm 'holding' is the one i got today. I still have another check coming, plus if i continue to work a third one.
If i just go cash it i don't think i'll ever see the other check. Not thats its terribly likey to be good but theres always a chance.

 

[mom2boys]

As others have suggested -
take the checks to the bank that they are drawn on and cash them. You can then take the cash & deposit it in your personal account.

Unless you have a strong sense of loyalty to this person AND your family doesn't need the money AND you have nothing better to do with your time, I would have been out of there when she asked me to hold the 1st check. The chances of you ever collecting on those checks is minimal.

 

[treesinger]

You could always try cashing the checks at the source bank anyway. I don't know if they verify funds on the spot, or later. The important thing is that you are owed money and it isn't fair that your employer is leaving you holding the bag.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I agree with everyone else....get those checks cashed! If you have to take them to a grocery store or a check cashing place to get the money, do it!

 

[Mishetta]

Your boss is using you. Letter of reference or not, I'd be long gone. Your next employer will understand if you tell them what happened & they find out that the business indeed went bankrupt. Go...leave now...No one works for FREE.

Good luck. I know this is probably a very difficult thing for you to do. I'm sorry you're going thru this. Hang in there!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DO NOT take them elsewhere to get the money. My BIL did that and he owed all the money plus fees and penalities back to the grocery store. I would think a check cashing would do the same. (not sure though)

 

[whtyger97]

if i take it to the bank where the account for the check is, what would happen if there where insuficent funds to cover it? Would they keep the check?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't know? The bank is the one who you need to ask. My guess would be that they wouldn't cash it unless the funds were there, right?

hmmmm....

 

[TEENEE]

Take the check to the bank it is drawn on. If the funds are not in the account the bank will give the check back to you.

 

[jkovick]

Yes, the worst that bank can do is tell you they are unable to cash it for you and hand it back to you.