I want my money!!!

[ChefCon]

What is the name of your state? CA

I was working as a contract employee last summer as a chef consultant. I wrote menus, contacted purveyors and did a multitude of work for some people getting ready to open a restaurant. They paid me for 2 weeks and told me that I would have to wait to get paid the rest, amounting to about $5K. I have gone into the restaurant now and they are still agreeing that they owe me the money, and that I will have to wait. I do have documentation stating that they will pay me, I just "have to be patient". My question is when an I stop being patient and demand that they pay me what is owed for the consultating? It has been a year, is there a statute of limitations? What steps should I take in getting what is owed to me? ANy help...please!!!

 

[Beth3]

If you were an independent contractor, then your status is the same as any other vendor to whom the employer owes money. Wage and hour laws that apply to employees do not apply to IC's.

If the company refuses to pay, then your option is to obtain a judgement against them in court. You may be able to handle this via small claim court depending on how much money is involved. Since it's been a year, I'd say they have no intention of paying you unless a court forces them to.