Okay, this was the first ever crazy experience I had working for someone. I worked for a local small business. I used to go to this store as a customer because I absolutely loved the products and the owner’s vibe. Eventually, I stopped by again and she asked me if I wanted a job. Me, excited and looking for a second job, I said yes. I was getting paid minimum wage, but I didn’t mind. She was the only person operating that store and she just opened a year ago, so I understood she was making only so much. After going through training, she had to leave out of state for a certification she was training for. That means I was going to manage and oversee her store.
Before she left, we discussed when I would be paid while I managed the store during her absence. We agreed I would get paid on Saturday every week.
Moving forward, she had another friend watch the store on my days off, so I wouldn’t have to work 12 hours a day for four days a week. I didn’t mind it working four days a week and I could have used the money, but both her friend and I needed some extra cash. I worked two days a week— working 12 hours with a one hour unpaid break. The job itself was laid back. It was a small store and the days were slow.
Fast forward, after two weeks of not getting paid, I talked to her about it and she explained to me that due to the unexpected amount of money she had to pay for her trip, she was tight on money and couldn’t afford to pay me yet, but promised she would pay me at a certain date because she would receive a check. I was very understanding and I trusted she would pay me when she could, so we agreed I would get paid the stated date she mentioned so I would be able to pay my bills on time. After the stated date passed, I didn’t get paid. I reached out to her and explained to her my situation that I had bills due and I really needed the money. It has been a month by now. She explained to me that she still didn’t have the money? This is when I started to get a little frustrated.
“You stated that you would be able to pay me at this date, but now it has been a month. I explained to you my situation and I really am in need of this money.” She wouldn’t budge. She said she would pay me later. Also, there was this one day I had clocked out late and she requested I change my clock out time on my “Closing Sheet.” I said no. Moreover, I explained to her, “Not paying your employees the wages due is considered wage theft.”
This is when she thought I threatened legal action, which wasn’t my intention at all. I just explained to her a fact. I asked multiple times and very kindly that I just needed the money— not even all of it, but some of it— so I would be able to pay my bills. She refused. After trying and to no avail, I decided to state that I will take legal action.
You know what the funny part is?
Her friend heard about the situation, talked to the owner, and reached out to me saying that if I apologized, they would be able to pay me the rest. I decided to do so because I really needed the money, and they paid me everything.
I don’t understand why we had to go through all this trouble just for the owner to pay me afterwards when she could have done so earlier and we could have avoided the situation. I didn’t work there anymore since she no longer trusted me for wanting to take legal action in the first place. The bridge has been burned and I don’t even go there as a customer anymore. There is so much more to this story, but I didn’t want to make the post too long.