I was hired on 5/22 as a Personal Trainer and membership salesman at HOUSTON GYM. During my employment I was given a sales manual to train me on how to sell and told to buy an online certification course. I was told I'd be given THREE MONTHS to be ready to train clients. I was told this ONE WEEK before I was fired. On the day I was fired I was told I wouldnt get a check until 7/15 by a manager. However when I went to the owner he said id get it on june 15th. I asked him if he was sure and he said yes. On the day I was fired I asked for a copy of my timecard. I was gieven the runaround, lied to, etc. I really feel like they're trying to screw me and only pay me for the last day I worked because they never produced a w4 form for me to fill out until 3 days before they fired me. How do i keep them from screwing me out of my check when Im flat broke now?? I live in Houston Texas if that helps any.
2006-06-09 07:11:52 · 22 answers · asked by photojoe40 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Contact the National Labor Relations Board. You probably have a local chapter in your area.
2006-06-09 07:13:55 · answer #1 · answered by lynda_is 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! If you contact all the people and agencies suggested here, you'd be exhausted. This is not a national matter, nor one that an employment agency would have any interest in. The Better Business Bureau has no authority over anything, other than the ability to kick members out (most businesses don't even belong -- and think about it, when was the last time you checked with the BBB before making a purchase or accepting employment somewhere?).
The first thing to do is to find out which agency in your state governs such things. Look in the state government pages of your phone book for something like Bureau of Labor Standards Enforcement, Department of Labor, etc. Call them and find out exactly what your rights are in your state and what they will do to enforce them on your behalf. Then, armed with this knowledge, recontact the former employer. Either go in person, with a witness, or telephone them and tell them that you are recording the call (and do record it, but in most places you have to let them know). Tell them that you just want to get your check (today!) but that you've been in contact with the Bureau of Labor Standards and understand that if they don't resolve this, that there are penalties that will apply and tell them what you learned.
If this is a chain/corporation, try talking to someone other than the manager of the local shop. Hopefully the payroll people or someone else at corporate HQ will be more tuned in to the liability they are creating for themselves. h
Don't mix you agenda. Your objective is to get your paycheck, not to argue about how unfair it was that they fired you, which is not likely to be something you can contest.
2006-06-09 14:22:52 · answer #2 · answered by Libertarians 4 real choice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could also file a complaint about the company with your city and state officials-- check around to find out which offices provide this service.
Let the company know that you are pursuing this. They might get the hint and quietly pay you what you are owed. You didn't say WHY you were fired. If you signed a contract with them that made your pay a condition of your sales/skills, then you might be getting less pay than you expected. Look at any paperwork they gave you and read the fine print.
I've worked for incredibly selfish and money-hungry fitness companies that-- in the end-- don't really care about the staff/clients, but about the almighty dollar. It's sad.
Best of Luck to You...
2006-06-09 14:24:09 · answer #3 · answered by fitpro11 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, i'm a little unclear on when you actually worked for the employer and what the terms were upon being hired.
please give me some details:
--when were you hired.
--when you were fired
--were you hourly or salary
--how many days and hours you worked
--were you getting paid for your training time or were you only going to get paid once you started personal training??
i'm not as concerned with the runaround they are giving as i am about why they aren't paying you.....
of course it's important, but i need actual details.
the W-4 can be filled out anytime before your first paycheck, so don't worry about that one.
but, if you could provide some of these details for me, i'd appreciate it.
i will put this on my watchlist to come back to later.
also, go to your state job agency (there should be one in houston, definitely) and ask them what kind of support they can give you...and also the better business bureau. the job agency and BBB are free, so don't worry about costs.
i need details please.
2006-06-09 14:21:36 · answer #4 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact National Board of Labor Relations, ask them to fax you a compliant form...fill it out, fax it to your former boss with a cover sheet stating that you have not yet filed the complaint but if you are not paid everything owed you ( wages,tips,acrrued vacation and leave time ) You will file the complaint IMMEDIATELY. Trust me, it worked for me...I faxed it and got a phone call within 30 seconds, assuring me I'd get what was owed me that day.
2006-06-09 14:17:46 · answer #5 · answered by ksowder63 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do u have the number to their Home Office? If so ..call them...if not Contact the EEOC office in Houston..thats Equal Employment Opportunity Center..and report those azzholes
2006-06-09 14:15:38 · answer #6 · answered by celine8388 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately I feel this situation can only be solved with the threat of violence. It's the only language slimy greaseballs like that understand. Confront him outside the gym with three of your mates, if he doesn't pay you on the spot or promise to pay you the next day, I'll eat my hat.
People may say violence in society is bad, but any good pragmatist will tell you if every employee reacted strongly to getting screwed over, it wouldn't happen...
2006-06-09 14:17:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the Texas Workforce Commission to file a claim for unpaid wages.
2014-08-15 16:55:57 · answer #8 · answered by Ti 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about TX, but here in VA you have to go to the courthouse and file a petition for unpaid wages. Once the company hears of a pending lawsuit then hopefully they will pay you rather than get bad press. At least that's what my friends and I are hoping so we can get our beans finally.
Good Luck!!
2006-06-09 14:15:55 · answer #9 · answered by Marlene 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They need to pay you, I would definately report this to the boards that previous posters are suggesting and to the Better Business Bureau. (Also telling the world how horrible this gym is helps, maybe not to get your paycheck back, but I am sure it will make you feel better)
2006-06-09 14:15:57 · answer #10 · answered by Existence 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋