Q: Can I use for unpaid wages?
Ive just got out of the military and I've recently started working for a person who offered to pay me x amount of dollars per hour to work on their rundown hotel. Most of their workers work for a free room and on drugs. It's been almost 3 weeks and when I asked about getting paid, the person just brought up the fact that they cant pay me right now because of insurance bills etc. I told the person that I cant work on anything else until I get paid what is owed. Almost 60 hours worth of hard work. We never had a written agreement or anything like that, all verbal. All I have in proof are just some pics of some of the work I did. I have my own problems and own kids to take care of. It's not right that I get excuses for why you cant pay me what was promised for work. Is there anything I can do or do I just have to cut my losses and move on?
A: Hi. More facts are needed to fully analyze your situation - I think there is an independent contractor v. employee issue here. If you are considered an employee of the hotel, you could sue under federal and state law for unpaid minimum wages for the work you performed. The remedy if you are considered an independent contractor is different. I would reach out to an employment law attorney in your state for a consultation. Keep the pictures of the work you did.
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