Employer bounced my paycheck

[ITB4ag]

Ya that's basically what happened he wrote me three bad checks but his bank cashed them with some sort of line of credit attached to the payroll acct even though he was maxed out (or something like that). After I had my money I told him I'm gone and now because he bounced two other drivers checks he's down two maybe three drivers in the middle of prom season.

Basically he lost the two drivers (including me) who have never had a complaint and have never damaged a vehicle. He might lose maybe one or two more.

[2Big4a3Series]

I've been a contractor in my line of work for a couple of years (telecom, cat5, fiber optic) and what I learned is that some of the more unscrupulous business owners will hire contractors to cut corners and avoid the accountability and expense that goes along with having employees.

Based on my own experience I would say that the owner of the limo company was juggling the money and he wrote you a bad check to buy himself some time hoping that it would take a couple of days for you to discover that there was a problem. And then when you called him on it, he could stall you a little while longer.

[ITB4ag]

Well I got my money and got outta there. Thanks for the advice but its time too kill this thread.

[DCColegrove]

Well...You could kidnap him and sell one of his kidneys.

(Kidding okay...Don't send the FBI to my house)

[george graves]

^that too.

[golde30]

I'm in the limo business, and also going to school for accounting, and i can tell you that if the company wanted to be a dick, they could tell you to fuck yerself and your only recourse would be to take it to small claims. An invoice is not a legal contract. However said company would not be in business long with that attititude, i personally always take care of my farm-out drivers asap b/c they are taking care of my customers for me. Only makes sense. If your check bounced, give them a chance to make good, alotta small companys have fluctuating checking account balances, the economy isnt all that great.


PS: i just saw your post above mine, you posted while i was typing. If you were in CA, you woulnt even be able to drive limo, legal age here is 25. also school full time + on-call positions generally dont work out so well.

[ITB4ag]

Sean
I did sign some papers when I started working I'll try to find my copy's of them later.

mrsleeve
I do have good enough relationships with his clients to take them from him and I have good enough credit to take out a loan to get something classy like a BMW/Lexus/4 door skyline from Canada (most of the work is in Lincoln Town Cars). The majority of business is going to and from the airport and getting a proxy card from pdx is a pain. Plus you have to be inspected by the city and jump through some hoops with them. Also insurance for me would be a pain and a huge expense because I'm only 20.

Basically I don't have the time to do this and continue going to college, I don't see myself continuing in this field of work.

Jordan325ic
I wouldn't usually quit because I do understand shit happens but this is the first check for me and the second for one of the other drivers in a year. I have only been working for the company for a year and they just do things wrong. Also the rising cost of gas is cutting into my profits making the job less desirable to me because he isn't altering the rates to compensate for the increased expense.


I went to his house today and he cut me a check for all the fee's associated with the bounced check and I picked up my paycheck for this period (I have my legal copy of the bounced check and am going to cash it with the two others). He told me the checks were good after handing them to me but when I asked him where his bank was to check to make sure I have the right address he said if I went down there today they wouldn't be able to cash all of them.
So if I'm understanding this correctly he handed me checks for amounts of money he doesn't have in his account.
I told him to continue driving for the company I need this money and will be depositing all three checks tomorrow morning when the bank opens, he said he would be calling me in the morning.


I'm just tired of taking their crap.

[Jordan325iC]

I work for a small business. That has happened to me on several occasions, but my boss always makes things right. Sometimes stuff happens. I have never considered quitting because of it.

[mrsleeve]

well if you have a client list and a good relationship with most of his clients. IF you have good credit go out buy a nice Limo an start your own business as you already have an in as a known an trustworthy driver, you also have a clientel built up so thats now my 2 cents as I had all night ot think on it.

[Sean]

You should have still signed a contract for the job. Is there anything in writing?

[ITB4ag]

Usually in the business world called an INDEPENDENT contractor. And yes, you have a lot less rights as an "employee"

He could bounce checks all day long, run you over with the limo, and piss on your broken legs - you are just a "sub-contractor" that has a working relationship with him.

Want my 2 cents (as someone that has worked as an IC for more than 10 years) ?

- a.) Don't tell him you are leaving. Don't even suggest it. In fact, call him up say "Hey, that thing with the pay check - I need it now. Like today. Oh and BTW, when is my next gig? I really enjoy working for you."

- b.) Assume that he has the money in a savings/CD/Mutual fund. NEVER pity someone that you spend 40 hours a week working for. If they ever tell you that they can't pay you, they are blowing sunshine up your "special" place.

Hope that helps.

Ya sry I meant Independent Contractor (its gettin kinda late and I've been cleaning up for an apartment inspection hoping that they overlook the fact that I have a backup 4age in my living room corner lol), but ya I've done the math and I've seen his books and this is bull from a company that grosses 400-500k a year in profits so I am in no way accepting / believing that he doesn't have the money because I know he does.

On the leaving part he wont have the slightest idea, I've put up with their crap for too long.

I was well aware of the fact that I have much less rights than a standard employee I was mostly posting to see what rights I have with this position.

[george graves]

Private Contractor

Usually in the business world called an INDEPENDENT contractor. And yes, you have a lot less rights as an "employee"

He could bounce checks all day long, run you over with the limo, and piss on your broken legs - you are just a "sub-contractor" that has a working relationship with him.

Want my 2 cents (as someone that has worked as an IC for more than 10 years) ?

- a.) Don't tell him you are leaving. Don't even suggest it. In fact, call him up say "Hey, that thing with the pay check - I need it now. Like today. Oh and BTW, when is my next gig? I really enjoy working for you."

- b.) Assume that he has the money in a savings/CD/Mutual fund. NEVER pity someone that you spend 40 hours a week working for. If they ever tell you that they can't pay you, they are blowing sunshine up your "special" place.

Hope that helps.

[ITB4ag]

Ya I'm right out by LivingLegend in the Gresham/Troutdale area.
I'll eventually make one of the meets.

I have heard that it is illegal to bounce a paycheck but I wasn't sure.

Basically I have real good relationships with some of his wealthier clients and I have records of my own to check paychecks against so I basically have his entire client list with addresses and phone numbers. He knows this and probably wants to keep me on because he doesn't want to piss me off, and he probably doesn't want to train new chauffeurs to replace me because he is in the middle of a move.

[Teaguer]

Start pilfering the liquor from the limo's .

[Van Westervelt]

If he covers the fees thats good. He doesnt have to cover them. If he knew it was going to bounce, it is also a felony fyi. All he is responsible for, is the amount he paid you originally. Be nice, and maybe he will step up on the fees.

Never met you before. You are local eh?