• FreeAdvice has a new Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, effective May 25, 2018.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our Terms of Service and use of cookies.

Boss holding 10k of money

  • Thread starter Thread starter workfornothing
  • Start date Start date

Accident - Bankruptcy - Criminal Law / DUI - Business - Consumer - Employment - Family - Immigration - Real Estate - Tax - Traffic - Wills   Please click a topic or scroll down for more.

W

workfornothing

Guest
What is the name of your state? California

I am a communication technician who gets work from a third party contractor in a northwest state. Whenever a job is needed in my area they would call me to repair or install communication equipment. I have worked for them for over 10 years with no problem. Last year a contractor that owed this company that I work for over 300k and went bankrupt. The company I work for said , with my help and others that they can get out of this hole. At that time they owed me 10k, a year later they owe me almost 11k. With no ground made up on the money owed me, I quit. The boss said since I was quitting, the money to pay me would be slow and working technicians would be paid before I would see any money. My last check was $125.00 , the boss then said that he planned to pay me about 10 percent now and IF there was more money down the road I may see some later. Being upset about this I called this company's biggest corporate client and complained. I said I would pull all of my cable out of these un paid jobs if I didn't get paid. I raised so much hell, that the boss called me the next day and said don't bother cashing the check he mailed out because he put a stop payment on it. I told him that I hadn't done anything illeagle and I deposited anyway. He then said that if I expected to see any money, I better stop calling his biggest client and complaing. He also told me he wanted all my inventory (spare equipment of the un-named corporate client) before I would see a valid check of under $800.00 and maybe about a thousand more within 10 days. That was all he could guarentee. He also said that if I went to court and won, collecting on a judgment would be hard to get. So I ended our call and still want to maybe put a some sort of lien on one or more of his job sites. Is there a plan of attack to get my money or should I cut my losses ? Sorry about the long post.
 


cbg

I'm a Northern Girl
Before I comment on the exceedingly unprofessional behavior exhibited by both you and your boss, I need you to verify whether you were an employee or an independent contractor.

It makes a difference to the answer.
 
W

workfornothing

Guest
I was working as a independent contractor

I was working as a independent contractor. Thanks for the help.
 

Beth3

Senior Member
Since you are an IC and not an employee, wage and hour laws do not apply. You are in the same position as any other vendor to this company who is owed money. Your option is to sue.

Being upset about this I called this company's biggest corporate client and complained. I said I would pull all of my cable out of these un paid jobs if I didn't get paid. I raised so much hell... Keep it up and I expect you'll find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit making claims of intentional economic interference, slander, tortious interference, or whatever. Even if the employer doesn't prevail, it could cost you a fortune in legal fees to defend. I'm not suggesting your boss has acted appropriately but that was GROSSLY unprofessional and you may find it has some far-reaching consequences in your ability to obtain new employment or contracting jobs.
 

Dandy Don

Senior Member
I know it was an innocent mistake on your part, but why did you let the amount they owed you run up to the tens of thousands before doing anything to collect what is rightfully yours? You should have contacted an attorney long before now.

Stop believing his excuse that "it's going to be hard to collect on a judgement"--it was just an idle threat to prevent you from taking action. Your attorney can advise you on how to best get this judgment collected.
 
W

workfornothing

Guest
I got my start with the company over 10 years ago, and considered them friends.
 

JETX

Senior Member
Dandy Don said:
I know it was an innocent mistake on your part, but why did you let the amount they owed you run up to the tens of thousands before doing anything to collect what is rightfully yours? You should have contacted an attorney long before now.
And yet ANOTHER useless post by 'Pansy Don'.
 

Find the Right Lawyer for Your Legal Issue!

Fast, Free, and Confidential
Top