Can your employer send you out to a peice rate job without telling you what it pays?

Question

I work for a tile company that keeps sending my coworkers and I out to do jobs that we have no paperwork or directions for. Every morning we have to scramble just to find out where the job site is located. Then we have the privilidge of trying to figure out what material they want installed and where. We don't know what the job pays untill sometimes a week and a half later. They constantly short us on our checks and if we complain about any of this, they take us off the schedule. I for one am tired of working for these communists but before I leave I would like to try and help some of my fellow employees. I'm no law expert but I'm sure what they are doing is illegal. I'm assuming the labor board would be the best place to contact, right? I will appreciate any advise. TY

Answer 1

yes, contact the local labor board,,,,, alot of the legality of this is what you agreed to do when you took the job,,,,, was a salary set, or a per peice rate told? if so, and your employer isnt abiding by that,,, then you have a claim,,,,, there may also be some other issues,,,, are records of hours worked and money paid being kept? this has to be done for the IRS, no matter what conditions of employment you agreed to
so contact the labor board, and perhaps also the local legal aid society,,,,,,, sounds like something very fishy is going on there

Answer 2

If the employer is paying you at least minimum wage, it is not illegal. If they promise you a certain pay rate and don't pay you that amount, it is illegal. But how would you know if you are being shorted if you do not ask first how much you will make? Taking you off the schedule may or may not be illegal, depending on if you are in a work at will state. Of course they will deny your complaints were the cause, making it hard for you to claim discrimination (for standing up for your rights).

You should go to your state's department of labor if you think you are being mistreated by your employer or they are breaking laws. The dept. will take your statement and if they feel there may be laws being violated, they will contact the employer for their side of the story. If it is not a clear cut case, they will keep an eye on the employer for a while.