my boss has not paid me for 3 weeks. Do i have to go into work or can i refuse to work until i get paid.?

Answer 1

you can have him arrested for Slavery

Answer 2

Labor laws are state enforced, so exactly how this works depends on your state. In California, not making payroll is a really big deal - but - getting anything done about it is a huge pain. You can look up your states labor laws on line, they're a little cumbersome to wade through but it can be done.
My question to you, do you like your job and your boss? If not, look for another job. Payroll should be any businesses first priority. If you really like the job and want to stay, refusing to work will not set well with the bosses and may cause friction...but so does you not being able to pay your bills.
Can you tell your boss that you've had to take another temp job to make bills and you'll return when he can pay you? That might be a way to motivate him to pay without making it an ultimatum.
Bottom line is, if they can't afford to pay you, do you still want the job? I had this happen to me about 25 years ago. After 5 weeks of not getting paid my rent, insurance and all bills were past due. When we finally got paid on a big job that all the companies money was tied up in, I paid the crew and myself, arranged for the gal who had worked there before me to come back and quit. Three weeks later I had another job with a big software company that ended up being a really good career move for me.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Well... logically speaking as long as you continue to work he has some motivation to pay you eventually. If for no other reason than not to be reported to the authorities.

On the other hand, if you stop working then why should he worry about it? He's already lost what labour you provide... paying you would just demonstrate that you were in charge instead of him.

Arguably, you never HAVE to go in to work. You just risk being fired if you don't. Of course, he can fire you anyway, but that just opens him up to EVEN MORE lawsuits. Very few employers would do that unless they were both amoral AND had some kind of ace up their sleeve that would prevent you from taking legal action against them in any way. If you have been law-abiding, it's probably better to keep walking on the side of the light.

If you're worried about pay, contact the Department of Labour and Industries. I'm sure they have some complaint forms you can fill out which could spawn an investigation of your employer. They will also keep you identity as the complainant secret from him. Give that a whack.

Answer 4

First, not being paid in three weeks? And you have not taken further action? You need to speak with your boss and inform him that it is against the law to withhold a paycheck. That is if your job is a tax paying on the books job. If so, if you do not receive payment withn 4 weeks. Make sure you document this information and the hours you have worked and take this to the Labor Board. If you are off the books, the is not much you can do if you can not provide proof that he pays you for your work.

Answer 5

Unless there is something specific in your contract in which you accept the possibility that you may have to go that long to be paid, or that you don't get paid until you complete your task, then yes, you would be completely within your rights to quit and sue him for the amount of work you have done up until now.

I suggest that you at least show up to work one more time with a camera and document the amount of work you have done up to this point. Take pictures, copy documents, make copies of items in your file that commend you for whatever, and anything else you can think of that may counter him if he tries to argue that you didn't do anything while you were there. If you can collect evidence that your employer has been reaping financial benefits from your labor, better yet. Take pictures of his car, his nice suits, whatever.

You can quit regardless of whether or not you get paid. Slavery is what it would be called otherwise, not work.

Answer 6

It depends on a number of things - what does your contract say? Were you expecting to be paid monthly or weekly? Are you new, or have you been working there for a while? For example, if you are a new employee who joined just after the normal monthly pay day, then waiting three weeks to be paid would not be unreasonable. However, if you are an existing employee who is used to being paid weekly, then you would have a case against your employer.

Answer 7

depends...more info is needed....

1. if a large corporation...then your check might of been lost, miss printed, had an error and needed correction, might of had a firing or a loss in the payroll department and checks are late, etc, etc.

2. if its a small company, few employees, personally owned, then I would worry for the owner I am sure is seeing hard times and is juggling his books in attempt to stay afloat. Many small owners will "borrow" employee wages to make ends meet. But this is a downward spiral for they will never catch up. Demand your check, for by law services rendered must be paid.

3. Depending on what is going on....is where you stand on not going to work or not. I would not just not show up, but I would go in, explain your situation in a calm, rational manner. Ask for more details and information as well. Might just have been an over sight, for errors do happen.

Answer 8

several things you could do. first go and talk to your boss and tell him that she/he has to pay you as soon as possible and if he/she does not you will go to seek legal help.

this is last resort action you should take but effective please only do this as a last resort but you can report him to the tax office. tax office would be very concern if he is employing someone and not getting paid and the chances are the tax office are not getting the income tax as well. once the tax office knows they will investigate and your boss will be in a lot of trouble if he/ she has not paid your income tax as well as your wages.
first speak to your employer, if that does not work then get legal advice and if you don't get anywhere there. then the tax office. tax office will paid your wages and then charge your boss for the income tax.
i would check with the tax office anyway to make sure your boss is paying your income tax.
if you can afford it carry on working because your boss could fire you and no one going to be sympathetic

Answer 9

You can refuse to go. This happened to my boyfriend except his boss paid him a insulting amount of money for two weeks pay. What my boyfriend did was he called the unemployment office and let them know he was paid unfarly (since he told his boss about it and his boss told him to f*** off) well they filed a complaint and he got his money. It took a while for him to get it though. My advice to you is to quit this job and call the unemployment office in your area and let them know your situation, they definatly can help.

Answer 10

Well, if you leave and dont get paid he might never pay you again, and there are many fish in the sea, even if you quit you he can get another employee.

If you have a contract with him, then tell him why didnt you pay me, if he doesnt want to pay you, then go and tell the labors department, they might help you, and be sure to tape the conversation... its the best trick ever :)

Answer 11

If I had not been paid for three weeks I would quit and call a labor board...Unless you get paid under the table and then you are out of luck....if this is the case quit...What times are you supposed to be paid weekly bi-weekly or monthly