What do u do if your previous boss refuses to give you your last paycheck?

Question

i stopped working for someone on the books two weeks ago on a monday. we get paid on thrusdays. he told me he would mail me my last paycheck on friday. i haven't gotten it yet. he won't return my phone calls or answer his cell phone. ive called the main office for the franchise he owns, got nowhere. any suggestions?

Answer 1

I'm a little confused by your statement that you stopped working for him "on the books" - do you mean that you are still working there, but planning to be "off the books" and illegally evade taxes?

If you aren't paid what you are owed, you can report it to your state labor department.  But if you are evading taxes, you are going to have a very tough time explaining your problem.

Answer 2

well, lets see.

you broke the law by working without reporting....hmmmm. now, he broke the law again by not paying you.....hmmmm

call the cops.

Answer 3

Maybe you should inform him that it is illegal to withhold your paycheck. I'm sure he already knows, but a reminder that YOU know might get you your paycheck.

Answer 4

my last boss screwed me over on my last check also. I just let it go because it was just for a day but it sucks. Some people are such jerks..................................I agree with the other guy, send a certified letter. You can always file in small claims, which might light a fire under him

Answer 5

Send them a letter via certied mail asking for your paycheck with your current address, that should get his attention.

Answer 6

Contact your state Attorney General's office. They are the ones to handle wage disputes. In Massachusetts if your employer fails to pay after notification by the Attorney General, the employer can be forced to pay you three times what he owes you. Check your state laws. If it says something similar, send the certified letter stating so. That should get him to act.

Answer 7

Sending a certified letter is okay, but it may not be necessary.  You do want to make sure that he knows that you will be filing a claim with the state labor board.  That might be enough to get it resolved.

You need to find out the process for filing such a claim in your state.  If you say what state you are in, others can give you a link to the appropriate website (it might be handled by unemployment tax office in your state).

If you are really in NY, link for claiming unpaid wages is found on this page:

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprote...