Long ~Troubled : (

I'm not sure what to do, so I'm asking your opinion please. WE were supposed to get paid last Friday. We were told the checks were lost in the mail, and we would get them on Saturday or they would be reissued on Monday and we would get them on Monday. With a month worth of bounced payroll checks and the lost in the mail excuse being used before no one believed this story. Plus Wednesday is our last day of work. Needless to say everyone has been quite upset. Well the no pay got to me and I sent an E-mail to the hall of shame guy. telling him what's been going on, but I didn't send it. When none of the "bosses" would return my phone calls on Saturday, I decided to leave messages with all three of them telling them I had talked to Rob Wolcheck (SP?) the hall of shame guy from fox2 news and told him about our bounced paychecks, Paychecks "getting lost" in the mail, seniors paying anywhere from $400.00 to $700.00 for their meals and not getting what they paid for. The cook having to go buy food out her own pocket to feed the residents, and no one being able to get in contact with our "bosses". In each of the messages I left I told them That Rob Wolcheck (SP?)was very interested in doing this story (Yes I lied and feel bad about it). That certainly got their attention and the boss's boss called me back trying to reassure me that the checks really were issued and were lost in the mail, but they couldn't find the tracking number etc. etc. etc. I didn't believe it at all, but told her fine you have until Monday to bring our checks to us or I will get back in touch with the hall of shame. Well come Monday she called me back and said she had to be in Grand Haven until 4:30, but she was going to reissue the checks while she was there, then bring them over around 5:00. I let everyone know (as she asked me to). At 5:00 most everyone is up there waiting for their check. Guess who doesn't show up. Finally at 5:55 in she walks, I asked her if she had the goodies with her. Her reply? "I need to talk to you about that". She told me she couldn't do everyone's check and tells me this big story about how taxes had to be taken out and her boss didn't know how to do that ect. ect. ect. She tells me she can run home check the computer, see how much money had to be withheld for tax purposes, and have my check done in in about 5 minutes, but it would be a personal check. Or I could wait until Tuesday and get one with everyone else. I opted for the personal check. She came in this morning and told me she was on her way to the main office to do the checks, and would be back with them and with the food for dinner and Wednesdays meals, by this afternoon. At 2:30 I started calling her, because dinner is at 4:30 and I need time to cook it. At 2:45 I finally went to the woman that runs the retirement home itself. She gave me the money to buy dinner. At 4:44 the boss lady calls me back and says you are never going to believe this ~The computer went down, and I couldn't run the checks everything went wrong I forgot to bring food for you to fix, But I got it all done, just have to run the w-2 forms and the 1090's stop at the store and then I'll be there. Then she calls me back and says she won't be there until after I leave so she will just leave everything for me to give to everyone tomorrow. The "kids" kept calling her but she wouldn't answer their calls. Our boss walked in and one of the kids jumped all over her about it so she gave her phone to the girl who called the "big boss' SHE (big boss) TOLD HER SHE MAILED THE CHECKS AND WE SHOULD GET THEM ON FRIDAY!!! I know this is just more lies. I feel like my pay was hush money to stop me from talking to Rob Wolcheck (sp?) I feel like a traitor. I feel guilty for getting paid when my co workers haven't gotten paid and may not get paid. Either way I go with this someone will be hurt. Should I call the hall of shame, which could ruin someone's life? or should I just let the management keep lying to my coworkers knowing they won't be getting a check any time soon? The way they are ripping people off is shameful. I feel like I can't sit by and do nothing. My co workers look up to me and seem to expect that I will do something to get this straightened out. Half of them are just kids 16 years old trying to earn money because their parents can't afford to buy them the extras teens want and need. Most of the rest of them are single mom's trying to raise their families on very little income. There are a couple adults that just want extra spending money. The point is they have all worked for it but haven't gotten it. No one knows that I have received my check, and I think it may be better to let them think I didn't get it, but I' not sure that's the right thing to do either. PLEASE give me your opinion on this. I need someone who can look at it from all perspectives especialy the Christian perspective. Thank you all so much. God bless, Annette

God tells workers and bosses to be upright in their dealings and that He God will expose the truth. It seems He has done that several times with the lying tales they have told you. I would contact the better business bureau and this Hall of Shame. It is illegal to withhold the pay. The mortgage companies will not believe their story...I am sure. So what alternative do they have if it is not documented. I hope the personal check doesn't bounce in your account unless you outright cashed it. Pray again and seek the Lord's wisdom. In His love, Joan

I totally agree with Joan. These people have a moral and legal responsibility to fairly compensate their employees. I sense that your feelings are righteous, not vengeful, and perhaps you have been put in this position to expose this situation to the general public. It looks like some innocent people have been put at risk, and thankfully taken care of by those who were not supposed to be responsible, yet cared enough to make personal sacrifices. Ask yourself if your action (or lack of action) is enabling these people to persist in what are definitely sinful behaviours. Perhaps you can get in contact with a Christian attorney in your area, or speak to your pastor about this. You have my prayers. Joyce N.

I am in agreement with the advise you have been given and cannot improve on it. I will pray for a positive outcome for all involved. Hugs, Sandyd

Annette! Praise God for you!!! He has sent you to be His advocate for truth and what is right! I'd call the Hall of Shame and the DOL (department of labor). The DOL will be on them like white on rice. This is totally unacceptable. Praise God that He has sent you to help those other employees. Do it for the Glory of His Kingdom! If possible, let the employees know that you serve God, not man, and that God calls us to be upright. Let this episode shine with His light for all to see!!! Going forward - do not be deceptive with the bosses. Just keep your mouth closed if they ask you something that you don't want to answer. (That's just my piece of advice). I'll be praying for you! ~Carolyn

Annette, I agree with everyone else. You have to do what you know in your heart of hearts is right. Obviously there have been some bad/wrong choices made by those in authority/management time and time again. And now the choice is yours. Although it would be easier to just turn your back and walk away and not worry about your coworkers, if it were reversed wouldn't you want someone to have fought for the pay you were due? You'll feel better about this situation in handling it the right way. Hugs and prayers! Bonita

This is why I am glad I belong to a union. This boss has to be reported to the Hall of Shame, the Better Business Bureau and the Department of Labor. She is a poor business woman. Hugs, Trish