What to do if employer of small construction business never pays after job completion?

Question

2 employers now have not paid my husband for working for them. A concrete co. in Montana and a construction co in NW WA. Neither sent in paperwork for employees. In MT wages were paid off the books for 2 months then final pay was denied. In WA he worked for a month and eployer flaked out because of drug use and claimed no money to pay. He also never claimed an employee in writing. I don't know how to prove employement or hours or wages.In MT $600 and WA $1000. Any help?

Answer 1

Write a registered letter. Advise them that they have ten days to pay or reply.
If you have the address where the work was performed , send a copy of the letter to them, registered not necessary.

Advise them that if not paid, a mechanic's lien will be filed on the property for work performed.
A lien will not guarantee payment, unless the property is sold. It will cause distress to the property owner and may have an affect on the contractor. The owner will put some pressure on them also.
If you are far and out of state and can't travel to file at the County courthouse, civil action will be more costly than the wages.
You may still write to State labor board.
Small claims court, if you win, only places a judgment against the defendant. Doesn't always guarantee payment.
Good luck

Answer 2

I suggest you report this to your states Attorney General, or to your District Attorney of your state. Write down the names of these companies, name of the person who hired you, date you started work, where you worked, names of other employees, days you worked and hours. I can maybe see this happening once, but twice? If you are trying to avoid taxes and being paid cash ( if this is the case) then your just working for nothing. Check out Companies before you work for them.

Answer 3

I would send the companies an invioce stating you have 30 days to pay or else this will be turned over to collections, then contact a collections agency, they will probably pay because no one likes dealing with collections agencies