My employer pays some of the people in cash and others he gives checks that bounce causing us to pay a fee at the bank as well as not receiving our paycheck. This goes on every week and so far all of us are four weeks or more behind in being paid. What can we do.

Not work unless paid ? Is what comes to mind, or demand cash at the end of each week or have them cash the check for you at their office.

Ask for a certified cheque.

If this has been going on for sometime, contact the authorities as bouncing checks are illegal if you are paying for employee's pay.

If this has been going on for sometime, contact the authorities as bouncing checks are illegal if you are paying for employee's pay.

My problem is that I don't know what authorities to contact. I know it is illegal and I have contacted the labor board but they are so behind that if I file a claim with them it could be over a year before they contact anyone.

The local dept of labor is the right place. You could also sue the employer in small claims court for back pay and fees for incurred because of the bad checks.

The local dept of labor is the right place. You could also sue the employer in small claims court for back pay and fees for incurred because of the bad checks.

Thank you, I am glad to see you are from NY as we are too. I never thought of small claims court. The Dept of Labor said to me "I can't turn the owner upside down and shake the money out of him". That was a lot of help! We know for a fact that the employer gambles all the profits away and that's why he has no money for salaries, not to mention utilities, vendors and others. He really needs to be investigated by the IRS or the Fed. Gov't.

Is this a sole proprietership?

Is this a sole proprietership?

Yes and no. It is a co-ownership of 2 people with one person handling all the money.

It either is or isn't. If there is a partner then talk to the partner. If the managing partner is running the bsuiness so poorly, the other partner may want to take more of a hand in the business.