unpaid employees-store closed

[JonElmer]

What is the name of your state? Indiana

In July the restaurant that I managed closed. None of the employees have been paid for the final two weeks of employment. After the restaurant closed I continued to work for the company for another two weeks in Michigan, helping get a new restaurant opened with the promise of a position in Madison, WI. After I was finished helping out in Michigan I was then told that things have changed in Madison and there was no position available at the time. Now I haven't been paid for any of the work done in either place.
I contacted the District manager and he said that he would check into it and I should get in touch with him in a couple days. Now a couple weeks have passed and he does not answer his phone calls from me. What can I do?

 

[cbg]

Contact the state Department of Labor and file a claim for unpaid wages.

Since you worked in two different states you may need to file claims with both states.

 

[texaswillie]

A quick suggestion. I assume your employer and your employment was covered by federal law (Fair Labor Standards Act).This also seems to me to be more than last pay check situtation.

Call the nearest Federal Wage Hour office, perferrably a District Office or Field Station. Should be listed in the phone book. Ask to speak to a District Director, Assistant District Director or Investigator. (Note---talking with the clerical help will not get timely resutls).

Once you get any one of these persons on the phone line, explain your situtaton to them and that you are in need of your wages. Ask them if they would be willing to contact the home office or your employer and obtain your wages. This is called a "conciliation" by the Agency and it is quick, same them a lot of time and many times helps expedite the claim.

Let me caution, it is not 100% successful, and depends upon a lot of factors,such as the amount owed to you, whether or not there are other people in the same situtation, the location of the firm and whether they are still in business, etc. I will not go into all the fctors. Just give it a try and see if it is successful.

If there are other employees in the same situtaiton ask the Department ot Labor to investiagte the matter. This is a slower and more time consuming process. the first one is much quicker.

Also follow through on contacting the sate agencies as well. Enough complaints may get results.