I did remote work for a company in Arizona doing small indie game development. When the first pay day came in November, they said they “couldn't pay us as their credit lines were tapped out”. Two months passed, and they paid out 10% of what was owed. They then said, they will pay the rest after tax season.
When I asked for my pay so I could leave the company, they harassed me, tried to breach our contract by paying me less, and removed me from access to all of my proof of work, to try and silence me. This went on for about 3 months, and in March, we finally discussed this and they ghosted me, harassed me, and still have not paid me. They have paid all other employees except for me, because I complained to them that what they were doing was not right. Do not ask people to work for you for money, if you cannot pay them, and know you cannot pay them.
I want them to be held accountable and I want my unpaid wages. The company is located in Arizona, and Arizona law 23-353 says:
” A. When an employee is discharged from the service of an employer, he shall be paid wages due him within seven working days or the end of the next regular pay period, whichever is sooner.
D. A person violating this section is guilty of a petty offense. “
How can I retrieve my unpaid wages, and have them be punished for not paying me at the next pay period? I have mountains of evidence, since I have screenshotted, downloaded, and saved everything that they've tried to delete. I also believe they are committing tax crimes, since they said they need to “wait until after tax season to pay everyone” after saying for 2 months that pay will come in 2 weeks.
I just want them to be accountable for everything they've done, and need some recommendations. I started a claim with the department of labor.