I did not get paid last week (without warning)

[Anonymous]

I typically get paid every Friday. Last Friday, I did not get paid and the company owner emailed that payroll wasn't run because the payroll person was on vacation and they'd be back next (this) week. I was very confused how that can happen especially given that it was the holiday week and that's probably the worst week of the year to not pay people without warning.

I still haven't been paid and tomorrow is Friday/next regularly scheduled pay day. If I don't get 2 weeks pay tomorrow at the regular time, how should I handle it? Would it be fair to cancel the 3 calls I have with prospective clients for the company?

(This is a small company that outsources payroll).

[Anonymous]

I don’t think this is legal. Can you provide what state you work in? Or DC?

[Anonymous]

Also, this payroll person or your boss is clearly incompetent. How would they go on vacation knowing payroll wouldn’t be done without delegating or making a plan?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like the owner is having money issues. I wouldn't cancel calls but if you don't get paid tomorrow I'd start looking for a new job quickly.

[Anonymous]

I am a non exempt employee for local city government. Payroll is part of our HR. When there is a holiday we get an email that requests timesheets are due X date ( early) because of said holiday and payroll personnel being off.
This should have happened to you too.

[Anonymous]

I also work for a local government organization. We got paid 12/15 and 12/18 (or something similar) because Payroll sets December up that way before they all go on vacation.

There should have been timely and direct communication about this. I’m really sorry you are dealing with this. I’d also start looking for another job if you aren’t paid in full tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like cash flow problems and the owner is blaming the payroll company. Start applying for new jobs immediately.

[Anonymous]

Report this to the state, it is illegal.

[Anonymous]

Document everything and start looking for a new job right away. Chances are good you’ll never get the money back but it’s worth documenting. They ran out of money. Maybe they fix it and keep going, maybe not. Either way you should look for a new job.

[Anonymous]

Either a cash flow issue or, just as likely, someone was informed of an early deadline for EOY and that info was not shared with you. Keep your appointments, update your resume, maybe a new job in 2024?

[Anonymous]

Op here. I didn't get paid today. It's usually cleared in my account between 3-6am. Now I'm missing half a months pay, over $4200. What is the best next step? Sending an email saying I haven't been paid since X date and am missing payments for weeks of Y and Z totalling $xxxx?

I live in DC but work remotely. The company HQ is in IL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I didn't get paid today. It's usually cleared in my account between 3-6am. Now I'm missing half a months pay, over $4200. What is the best next step? Sending an email saying I haven't been paid since X date and am missing payments for weeks of Y and Z totalling $xxxx?

I live in DC but work remotely. The company HQ is in IL.

Np, wow- this really sucks, and I am so sorry.

This happened to me years ago as a teenager at my first job. I worked at a family-owned sandwich shop. I showed up as usual on Saturday morning, and the doors were padlocked. That's how I found out they went out of business. They owed me two weeks of pay that I (obviously) never received.

[Anonymous]

Are there any other employees that you can talk to? Did the same thing happen to them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I didn't get paid today. It's usually cleared in my account between 3-6am. Now I'm missing half a months pay, over $4200. What is the best next step? Sending an email saying I haven't been paid since X date and am missing payments for weeks of Y and Z totalling $xxxx?

I live in DC but work remotely. The company HQ is in IL.

Yes. Tell your employer in writing and ask for the money.
You can also report it to the state wage board, since it's already illegal to have missed the last pay day.

Start looking for a new job. Maybe there is an "innocent" explanation but probably not. Sorry this is happening.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry, OP. Yes, send an email documenting it, contact the state wage board, and get a new job immediately. Immediately.
Even if your boss is able to come up with the money for back pay or another paycheck or two, the company is clearly failing. And likely you won’t ever get the money they owe you. I’m so very sorry.