This happened a few years ago, but I’ve been thinking about it as I learn more about labor exploitation. When I was in undergrad, I worked at my apartment complex’s office. I enjoyed the work itself, but my boss made things miserable. In addition to making me basically run the office while she left in the middle of the workday for hair and nail appointments, she also accused me of making up my chronic illnesses for attention and made disparaging remarks about my appearance.
I started this position in May, and shortly after accepting this job, I spoke with my boss about taking a week off to visit my sister in December. She said that I needed to submit an official request, but that I could definitely have that time off. I bought my plane tickets and got everything together. Keep in mind, I was 20 years old at this point and this was one of my first jobs, so I didn’t know that employers will lie to employees and that you need written proof of these discussions.
Anyways, in early October, I found out that my time off request was denied, even though I hadn’t taken any time off since arriving at that job. I had asked for my birthday (October 8th) off as well, but she denied that request too. Due to everything, this was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back and I put in my two weeks notice. Now I typically worked every other Saturday, and my coworker did the same. The day after putting in my two weeks notice, my boss told me that I would be working both weekends before I left. I was understandably upset, as my parents were throwing me a small birthday party in my hometown and these plans were made months ago since I knew that this wasn’t my Saturday to work. So I told her that that would be my last day working there, and I walked out.
Onto the wage theft portion. With this job, I got a commission for every tenant that I worked with who signed a lease. These checks are given out once a year. I had around $2,000 USD that I would be receiving, which was a motivating factor in my quitting. After I turned in my two weeks notice, my boss told me that I was no longer eligible to get my commission, and that she would get my money instead. There was nothing in my contract about this and I was never informed that my commission would be dependent on my continued employment.
I tried to contact the district manager, but she refused to speak with me. My parents urged me to contact the labor department in my state, and while they told me that they would try, bonuses and commissions often don’t count as wage theft. Fortunately, my former boss and the company in general dodged this woman’s calls, which upset her and led to her putting up more of a fight to get my commission check. I was able to get my money.
It’s just so ridiculous that poorly run companies and horrible bosses can withhold our earned money and we have to fight in order to receive compensation that we already earned. I’m so happy to see more workers stand up for one another and actively fight against exploitation. Workers united will never be divided.