Hey, all.
I have a query that I figured you smart af folks could guide me on.
I started a cannabis trimming gig with an established grow on Monday of this week. asked about pay, which was hourly, to be given every week. He said the first week of work they don't add you to payroll until all of us decided it was a good fit, like a “trial” week? starting the second week I would then fill out my official employment paperwork (W2 & such), which kiiinda made sense, I'm sure it's a hassle to go through the rigmarole only to have people quit days later when they decide it's not for them? I confirmed before accepting, that they DO in fact pay for that first week & assumed it's illegal for them not to, so there should be no funny business ( right? riiiight? )
Yesterday was my third full day of work with them. Later that evening I was contacted about a much better position for a different place I had been hoping to receive (obviously as a poor person I needed to take what I could as soon as possible, hence starting the trim gig) This other job asked if I could start the following day (today). Truthfully the trim job was boring as shit & pays ridiculously low so I was eager to get started with this more fruitful role. I didn't feel much guilt giving short notice because it was my “trial” week, after all & there was no shortage of trimmers. I know for certain I didn't leave them in some kind of a bind.
I messaged the manager that hired me early this morning (it was pretty late Wednesday night when I sent my confirmation to this other job over indeed that I was ready to start, so I figured there wasn't much difference in waiting till the AM to let this guy know I wasn't coming back) – informing him I was grateful for the opportunity but had been offered a much higher paying job that I needed to start today & asked when I could get paid for my 3 full shifts. At this point, even though I confirmed “yes you get paid”, I had not been told what day of the week payday is, or if it would be cash, check, whatever. It's been about 13 hours since sending this text & I never received a response. I've decided I'll give until tomorrow before I actually call him or go back up in person if I don't hear anything.
What I want to know is, if this is an event of trying to fuck me out of 3 days worth of pay, what are my options? There was no contract, no paperwork, just a short interview & me starting. There's nothing I have to prove I worked other than I guess all the other employees that saw me there & a text message telling me what time to be in. I don't want to jump the gun but I also know how some places will do anything they can get away with when it comes to money & just being outright spiteful. I want to get my ducks in a row in case of confrontation but I'm clueless at this adulty business stuff. I'm going to be researching my state & the laws surrounding this but you guys always give great guidance so wanted to start here. I'm based in Oklahoma if that matters.
Thanks, yous guys.