My boss never pays me on time - what can I do?

Question

I work from home about 1/2 time for a local newspaper. It is owned by a man and his wife who only list his cell phone as a phone number with directory assistance and the bank and only list his elderly parents as an address (they do not live there). He only comes into the office occasionally and usually does not answer his cell phone.

I get along GREAT with the editor and all the other staff and I LOVE the work I do.

I am on a 1099 not a w-2 so I am a contractor not an employee. This changed from when I was first hired but I have been a freelancer before so I will do my own employment taxes -- and yes -- I love the work so much I do not get paid more per hour after the change and am okay with that because I am a Christian and want so much to be generous. At the same time my husband is starting his own business and we depend on my check to pay rent!

Last month I was finally paid by him in person after sitting in the office 2 hours when he said he would be there with my check.

Answer 1

Maybe you should find a new job or find a lawyer.

Answer 2

As a fellow independent contractor, I can understand your frustration. Your livelihood is at the mercy of your clients paying their bills. Unless you are opposed to working full time, I would take on some additional clients to help fill in the gaps.

Don't do any more work for the newspaper until they are caught up on their payments. Remind them that this is your livelihood and their inability to pay you on time is causing financial strain for your family as well as affecting your personal credit. Also let them know you will need to begin adding late charges to unpaid balances, and give them a timeframe for compliance. These are not unreasonable requests.

If they are unable to do this, even though you love the work and your associates, it's in your best interest to let them go. It doesn't sound like this company is on the up and up. If that's the case, you can't afford (literally!) to be associated with them.