What to do if I was asked to work 2 months ago and I still haven’t been paid?
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What to do if I was asked to work 2 months ago and I still haven’t been paid?
I worked for this company for a while and then they laid me off. They asked me if I would do this as a freelance thing for them. The event took place 2 weeks after my last day. Is there anything I can do about this to get paid?
Asked on June 7, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
If you performed work, whether as an employee or a freelancer (more accurately, an "independent contractor") and have not been paid, you may sue for the money owed you; that would be the only way to seek compensation as a freelancer/independent contractor, and the better way to seek it as an employee. (The other option for an employee would be to try to file a complaint with the state department of labor, to see if the department will take action on your behalf.) One option is to bring the suit in small claims court, where you can act as your own attorney and save on legal fees.
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