Should I quit?

Question

I've worked for a family friend for the last 6 years now. I am a bookkeeper and started working in their home, long story short now we are a professional company with an office and everything.

About 3 years ago my mother joined me in working at the office. I live with my boyfriend in a apartment.

My boss has had money problems and I haven't been paid personally in 3 weeks. My mother paid me for the 3 weeks before that, and she is currently holding those checks as well. Last week my boss was able to pay her half of what he owes.

In total between my mother and I he owes us a months work, so about $3,000. I personally have not gotten any income in a month. I was being paid under the table, and switched my last months checks (which are held) to normal payroll.

He says he can pay us but I have my doubts. BUT he was able to pay my mother 1/2 of what he owes. I won't accept a check until she receives all the money from the checks she has of mine.

Should I quit or wait??

Answer 1

Wow. I worked for a small corporation that started showing signs of money problems here and there, but they hid how extensive the problems were till the last minute, claimed bankruptcy (3 years ago), and I still haven't seen that money. The situation seems different for you though. It sounds like your boss is trying to juggle his debts, but obviously can't cover them. Paying employees is a pretty high priority, so he must be in deep. He already owes you and your Mom so much, does he really have a reasonable way to pay that and pay your regular checks coming up? If it were me, I'd start looking for something else, and if he pulls out of it, then make your choice to leave or stay. But the last thing you want is for him to owe you thousands of dollars, go bankrupt, and you won't get paid for years while it goes through the legal system, you'll still have to look for a new job and cover your bills until you get a steady income again. Yeah, I'm thinking job search now. Good luck!

Answer 2

If you have been the bookkeeper for six years, you should know better than anyone what condition this company is really in. If you see that this is a temporary glitch, then you should be able to negotiate with the owner for some future benefits (like a raise) by commiting to stay with the company a little longer. If you know that he is on his way down the toilet, jump out now. It's OK for the captain to go down with the ship but you may need to start swimming now.

Answer 3

if you can afford it, wait for a couple more weeks, IF and ONLY IF, your boss can point to specific things that are going to change to make him able to pay you.
IF all you're getting is vague reassurances, i'd quit, and take him to small claims if you can't get your money.

if you want to quit and not hurt the friendship, just tell him you simply can't make it any longer without a paying job...you HAVE to switch...but i'd line something up before i quit.

Answer 4

Quit

Answer 5

i had a similar problem working for a friend. he owed me about 5000 in back pay. to make a long story short i quit and took him to small claims court and got my money.

Answer 6

Just quit if you aren't getting paid then I would leave then make sure that you get your money though. You worked for that money you have to get it go somewhere else where you aren't working for family friends.

Answer 7

Tell your boss that if you and your mother aren't paid in XX weeks, you will be quitting.

Answer 8

Quit.. you should be getting paid for doing the work
no pay? no work

Answer 9

You may want to turn him into the Dept of Labor for unfair practices and get your money that way.

Answer 10

Wait.....you got the job because u know them....and that's how you got your career started...u should thank them for employing you...if u can get a job elsewhere then u should quit.