Of all the no good...

aborgman · #1 07-21-2010, 08:29 AM

Recently I got a new job. While I was rather excited for the large salary increase and much better benefits, I did feel bad for my current employer. It was a small company where I alone supported everything electrical/electronic - and I felt that they were going to have a difficult time filling my position, especially at the salary which I was being paid.

I worked there six years as a model employee. Never once reprimanded, always did what the bosses (the two company owners who I reported to) asked. No unexcused absences.

So, in courtesy to the two guys I'd spent the last six years working for (and felt bad for, because they'd always treated me fairly and honestly) - I:

Gave them three weeks notice.

Offered to come in evenings/weekends to put out any fires until they hire a replacement.

Interviewed for them a couple candidates to replace me (they are clueless about electrical engineering).

So after six years of good service (underpaid, even though when I started the job they promised I'd get raises to a normal salary range once I gained experience) in which I never complained, and always did what needed to be done for the good of the company... I go out of my way to help them out and cushion the blow of leaving.

Two days after my last day I contact our HR person to see when my last check and accrued vacation time would be paid out, only to find out - they aren't going to pay out my vacation time.

I'm looking into my legal options, but even if they don't legally HAVE to pay me - What a freaking screw job after all I did for them.

sarcastro83 · #2 07-21-2010, 08:36 AM

That's pretty lame. In their defence, is the company having a hard time financially at this time? I know lots of them, especially the smaller businesses are...

That being said, congratulations on the new job!

aborgman · #3 07-21-2010, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

That's pretty lame. In their defence, is the company having a hard time financially at this time? I know lots of them, especially the smaller businesses are...

They aren't having the best of times - but we're not talking about an amount of money that is going to bankrupt them, even though it's a lot to me (several thousand dollars).

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarcastro83

That being said, congratulations on the new job!

Thanks!

MJ5150 · #4 07-21-2010, 08:42 AM

Weak.

-Mike

**Horny Toad** · #5 07-21-2010, 08:45 AM

That just sucks rancid monkey nuts. But I'm glad you've got a sweet new job lined up!

FL Knifemaker · #6 07-21-2010, 08:47 AM

You're lucky they didn't terminate you sooner. I never gave more than one week notice. I've seen it happen too many times. If you are due vacation time, have a lawyer write them a letter. That's usually enough to free up the funds due.

sarcastro83 · #7 07-21-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborgman

They aren't having the best of times - but we're not talking about an amount of money that is going to bankrupt them, even though it's a lot to me (several thousand dollars).

Yeah... if that's the case, I'd check with your local labour board and see what you're entitled to... I 'm almost certain that here, if your employer is banking vacation time for you, you're entitled to it once you've left that job... I hope you get what's yours, dude!

bigtiny · #8 07-21-2010, 08:50 AM

Well, that just goes to show you that an 'entrepeneur' is usually the biggest as*h**e your likely to run across. They're good and giving you the warm and fuzzies as long as their getting something from you, but when that ends, you inevitably see their real colors.

If you're in a Southern state (I'm from Florida though I don't live there now, so that's not a put down) you're likely screwed. If you're not though, your state might be one that has laws requiring them to pay your benefits.

Have a lawyer send a letter....

bigtiny

Mark Latimour · #9 07-21-2010, 09:09 AM

What an ass backwards law. Holiday pay is an accrued entitlement. It shouldn't be able to not be paid out / taken.

Jonyak · #10 07-21-2010, 09:12 AM

the policy on holiday payouts should be in your contract.

Yerf Dog · #11 07-21-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aborgman

they aren't going to pay out my vacation time.

Did they give you a reason?

aborgman · #12 07-21-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

the policy on holiday payouts should be in your contract.

Generally if you aren't a union employee, or a contractor - you're not working under any sort of contract in Michigan. It's an "at will" employment state.

So it comes down to the employee handbook, which isn't exactly clear.

Chances are, I'll get screwed.

Just for a note - I wouldn't have all this vacation time, but they suspended all paid time off a year ago and thus I haven't been able to use any vacation or sick time.

aborgman · #13 07-21-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

Did they give you a reason?

Money.

cassanova · #14 07-21-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

You're lucky they didn't terminate you sooner. I never gave more than one week notice. I've seen it happen too many times. If you are due vacation time, have a lawyer write them a letter. That's usually enough to free up the funds due.

That seems to be the norm here in my part of Florida too. (Pasco County) Most jobs that I've given 2 weeks notice have told me not to bother coming back at all, same thing has happened to most of my friends too.

I'm not sure how the vacation pay works. If you didn't take vacation, then I didn't think they had to pay it. As far as I knew, and unless under contractual agreement, the only thing they legally had to pay you was any wages for hours you worked. At least here in Florida.

sloasdaylight · #15 07-21-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtiny

Well, that just goes to show you that an 'entrepeneur' is usually the biggest as*h**e your likely to run across. They're good and giving you the warm and fuzzies as long as their getting something from you, but when that ends, you inevitably see their real colors.

If you're in a Southern state (I'm from Florida though I don't live there now, so that's not a put down) you're likely screwed. If you're not though, your state might be one that has laws requiring them to pay your benefits.

Have a lawyer send a letter....

bigtiny

lol

TheSuzie · #16 07-21-2010, 12:47 PM

Darn Fla sounds like it s***s.

I won this sort of a battle once but it was not a pretty fight. I did walk away with 6 weeks of back vacation pay but it was not a fun process to get it. I was lucky to have kept loads of documentation including copies of all my time sheets and letters I had management sign when they asked me to work instead of take vacation at certain times.

Hope you get what you have earned.

S

PSPookie · #17 07-21-2010, 01:11 PM

It seems to me that the OP's situation is not uncommon in the southeast. What I have typically seen is that if you are quitting you forfeit any unused vacation time but if you are fired you get a check for your unused vacation hours.

I think the OP's situation is a bit different since the employer suspended the use of vacation time. That sucks, but at least you have a new gig