Isn't this illegal ?

Question

I had a summer job this year I made about 150 a week. I quit because I had way to much going on. I still have one paycheck that needs to come in. The supervisor there called me and said "Hey ____, I have your lasy paycheck? Do you want me to mail it or do you want to come pick it up?" And I said please mail it. So I waited for 2 weeks...still no paycheck. Not to mention she didn't call about my paycheck 1 month after I quit. So after those 2 weeks of waiting we called...and one of the other ladies said we can't get my paycheck until I hand my locker key in. But they let me and my friend share a locker because there werent anymore left, so we shared one. And we told them that and my friend is still working there....and they're still saying they need the key. We specifically told them my friend has it. They have been holding the check for WAY over a month. Not to mention we called about it a few other times and its the same thing. But the one time...they said they mailed it...but they didn't.

What do I do? Should I call themonce again? Should me & my mom take legal action? (I'm 14 btw)

Please help...I need that money for school clothes which starts in a few days.

THANKS!

Answer 1

I would have your mom call.   I am not sure if the person called you is a supervisor?  You may have her ask for someone higher up.  They do legally have to pay you for your time.   As far as legal action I don't think it would be worth it over $150, as you will have ot prove everything. The best advice is to be persistant in calling them.  If your persistant enough they will want to pay you so you will quit bugging htem. It may be worth calling an agency such as a labor board. This may not be the best practice, but in such cases as this I usually call right when they get in to work and right as they are about to get off(if you know the hours) and call every day for a week straight.  

Answer 2

Why don't you just go there, maybe take your mom with you, and say "Hi....I'm here to pick up my paycheck."

Answer 3

It is illegal to withhold employees paycheck.   Each state has there own time Frame when you must pay a final check. I do not know what state you are in and what the time limit is, but regardless of the time limit the check cannot be held because property is not returned. Try sending a certified letter requesting your last pay check, and in the mean time have your mom contact the state as to how she can file a complaint and the state will then investigate.  Check out this site for more help: http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/index.htm

As a side note keep in mind that after you get your paycheck if you still owe company property then the company can take you to court and obtain a judgment for you to return the property or pay for it. So even if you shared a locker, turn the key in, when you do get a receipt or note saying you did so.  Since you shared a locker I'm sure you both had a key, if you gave it to your friend see if you can get it back and return it, or go w/your friend to the boss and let your friend explain he is the only one w/the key - if there was only one key, and get proof you did that too.

HR Manager

Answer 4

It seems like, in that month, you could have just gone and gotten it.  About a million times.

You can't "take legal action" because you can't be bothered to get off your lazy *** and walk in and say "hi, I'd like my check."