What should I do if my employer fails to pay me?
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What should I do if my employer fails to pay me?
I have been working at a not-for-profit for a little over a year at a salary of $32,000. Recently, they asked if I could go part-time due to budget issues. I agreed to work 3 days a week for 2/3 of my original salary. Of course none of this was in writing. I get paid on the last day of each month, but I they have not paid me yet for April and it is the middle of May. The board is debating how much I should be paid.
Asked on May 14, 2009 under Employment Labor Law, Tennessee
Answers:
J.M.A., Member in Good Standing of the Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
You need to write a letter to your employer explaining that you have not been paid. Under most state laws, you are required to be paid no later than 2 weeks. Your employer is violating wage statutes if he is not paying you timely. Furthermore, you could be entitled to double or tripple the amount you are owed if you decided to sue your employer, plus your attorney's fees. The letter you write should be a nice reminder - not threatening. If you do noget a response within a couple days, then you need to talk to a lawyer - who may report this to the department of labor. You employer does not want that to happed, so i am confident that this will get resolved - but you will need to take this action.
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