You worked super hard and in the end, you expect to get paid in full. However, that does not happen and you find yourself in a difficult situation. Your employer fails to pay you for your work – what do you do next?
This is a common scenario, one that occurs every day. Hundreds of employees are facing this problem on a daily basis. You should know that if your employer stopped paying you, whether with a promise of future payments or for whatever reasons, you have legal rights.
Here are 10 things that you should do when your employer fails to pay you for the work that you have done previously.
1. Talk To Your Superiors
Always start by talking with your superiors. They need to be aware of what is going on. Perhaps it is your manager who has a grudge with you and is refusing to pass along your payment invoice. Or, maybe one of your superiors is causing you problems. Either way, you should always talk to your superiors, the HR department and see where the problem is. If that does not help, continue with the next step.
2. Talk To Family and Friends
Did someone in your family have the same problems? Perhaps a friend of yours, or their friend suffered the same fate? Be sure to talk with your friends and family, and tell them what is going on. Maybe they have experienced this problem before, or know someone who did. That way, they can advise you on what to do next, and tell you how that individual solved their problem. At the same time, you will find much-needed words of comfort and support that you seek.
3. It is Illegal
Understand that what is happening to you right now is illegal. There is no law that allows an employer to refuse to pay for the services of the employees. In the United States, when an employer refuses or does not want to pay an employee for their services, the employee has the right to file a lawsuit against the employer. Continue reading to find out more about your legal rights.
4. Understand the Situation You Are In
The reality is that you will most likely not get paid for the work that you have done. That being said, you should start looking at your (other) options and see what you need to do in order to get to the bottom of the problem. Assuming that you already spoke with your superiors, you should by now at least know why you are not being paid. However, if you received no answer yet you are still employed in the company, there are two possible options:
This is a common scenario, one that occurs every day. Hundreds of employees are facing this problem on a daily basis. You should know that if your employer stopped paying you, whether with a promise of future payments or for whatever reasons, you have legal rights.
Here are 10 things that you should do when your employer fails to pay you for the work that you have done previously.
1. Talk To Your Superiors
Always start by talking with your superiors. They need to be aware of what is going on. Perhaps it is your manager who has a grudge with you and is refusing to pass along your payment invoice. Or, maybe one of your superiors is causing you problems. Either way, you should always talk to your superiors, the HR department and see where the problem is. If that does not help, continue with the next step.
2. Talk To Family and Friends
Did someone in your family have the same problems? Perhaps a friend of yours, or their friend suffered the same fate? Be sure to talk with your friends and family, and tell them what is going on. Maybe they have experienced this problem before, or know someone who did. That way, they can advise you on what to do next, and tell you how that individual solved their problem. At the same time, you will find much-needed words of comfort and support that you seek.
3. It is Illegal
Understand that what is happening to you right now is illegal. There is no law that allows an employer to refuse to pay for the services of the employees. In the United States, when an employer refuses or does not want to pay an employee for their services, the employee has the right to file a lawsuit against the employer. Continue reading to find out more about your legal rights.
4. Understand the Situation You Are In
The reality is that you will most likely not get paid for the work that you have done. That being said, you should start looking at your (other) options and see what you need to do in order to get to the bottom of the problem. Assuming that you already spoke with your superiors, you should by now at least know why you are not being paid. However, if you received no answer yet you are still employed in the company, there are two possible options:
- One, you will get paid eventually
- Two, you will not be paid and you should seek legal help right away
The latter is usually the one option that most people turn to.
5. Do Not Panic
Remember to stay calm and think twice before you do or say anything. Your employer could use anything you say against them, and turn it against you. Be careful when choosing your words, and speak only when you are 100 percent sure that you are going to say the right thing. Do not threaten your employer, do not curse or use offensive language. Instead, try to remain calm and composed, and say only things that will benefit you. Once you hire a Employment Law Attorney Los Angeles, let him/her do the talking for you. Until then, remain calm.
6. Consult With An Attorney
The next step should be talking with an experienced attorney. Be sure to check in with our attorneys as soon as you are able to, as we offer a free consultation for all of our (new) clients. Once we evaluate your case, you will be told exactly what is going on, where you stand and what your rights are. Upon learning about your legal rights, it is up to you whether or not you do something about it.
The best thing that you can do is seek a legal way to get back to your employer and collect the money that you never received for your work.
7. Seek Other Opinions
If you do not like what you hear from our attorneys, feel free to talk with other attorneys and see what they have to say. It is in your best interest to find out as much as you can about your case and your legal rights before you choose to hire an attorney to represent you. With that in mind, feel free to talk to whoever you like until you finally understand the situation you are in.
8. File A Lawsuit
Once you have made up your mind, it is time to file a lawsuit against your employer. If you chose to hire our Employment Law Attorneys in Los Angeles, our attorneys will take over your case and file a strong lawsuit against whoever is responsible for not paying you the money you deserve. Eventually, the other party will reach out to you and try to “settle” with an agreement. Either that or the court, where the judge will decide what happens next. Keep in mind that the judge will always favor the employee and try to protect their rights first.
9. Seek Legal Protection
After filing a claim, you will have to make sure that your employer does not retaliate against you. You will need legal protection against termination and retaliation. Our attorneys will help protect your rights, and if your employer retaliates against you, they will face another lawsuit and you will receive another compensation for being a victim of mistreatment and retaliation.
10. Learn From Your Mistakes
After this horrible event, try and learn from your mistakes. Do not let anyone else treat you as your previous employer did, and in the future, fight for your rights instead of being passive and doing nothing about it. You have every right in the world to fight for yourself and your rights. Do not let anyone take that away from you.
5. Do Not Panic
Remember to stay calm and think twice before you do or say anything. Your employer could use anything you say against them, and turn it against you. Be careful when choosing your words, and speak only when you are 100 percent sure that you are going to say the right thing. Do not threaten your employer, do not curse or use offensive language. Instead, try to remain calm and composed, and say only things that will benefit you. Once you hire a Employment Law Attorney Los Angeles, let him/her do the talking for you. Until then, remain calm.
6. Consult With An Attorney
The next step should be talking with an experienced attorney. Be sure to check in with our attorneys as soon as you are able to, as we offer a free consultation for all of our (new) clients. Once we evaluate your case, you will be told exactly what is going on, where you stand and what your rights are. Upon learning about your legal rights, it is up to you whether or not you do something about it.
The best thing that you can do is seek a legal way to get back to your employer and collect the money that you never received for your work.
7. Seek Other Opinions
If you do not like what you hear from our attorneys, feel free to talk with other attorneys and see what they have to say. It is in your best interest to find out as much as you can about your case and your legal rights before you choose to hire an attorney to represent you. With that in mind, feel free to talk to whoever you like until you finally understand the situation you are in.
8. File A Lawsuit
Once you have made up your mind, it is time to file a lawsuit against your employer. If you chose to hire our Employment Law Attorneys in Los Angeles, our attorneys will take over your case and file a strong lawsuit against whoever is responsible for not paying you the money you deserve. Eventually, the other party will reach out to you and try to “settle” with an agreement. Either that or the court, where the judge will decide what happens next. Keep in mind that the judge will always favor the employee and try to protect their rights first.
9. Seek Legal Protection
After filing a claim, you will have to make sure that your employer does not retaliate against you. You will need legal protection against termination and retaliation. Our attorneys will help protect your rights, and if your employer retaliates against you, they will face another lawsuit and you will receive another compensation for being a victim of mistreatment and retaliation.
10. Learn From Your Mistakes
After this horrible event, try and learn from your mistakes. Do not let anyone else treat you as your previous employer did, and in the future, fight for your rights instead of being passive and doing nothing about it. You have every right in the world to fight for yourself and your rights. Do not let anyone take that away from you.
