There are few things more frustrating in life than not getting paid for work that you did. When you agree to complete a project for a certain wage, you expect that your agreement will stand. You may not know what to do, though, if your pay never comes. You may feel at your wit’s end for how to receive your fair compensation. While it can be a discouraging and frustrating journey at times, there are things you can do to get your payment, as a business attorney can explain.
Contact the CEO Directly
If your payment has been delayed, the problem might not be with the company itself but rather a manager overseeing the project. For example, if you are a building contractor doing construction for a plant, the problem may be with a manager not giving you the pay on time because he or she is negligent on the job. Contacting the CEO directly may be your best bet of getting your due payment.
Contact a Business Lawyer
If you are getting nowhere with your pursuits, it can be helpful to contact an experienced business lawyer. He or she can help you get the compensation that is rightfully yours. In many states, you can sue the employer for not paying your wages as an independent contractor. You want to be sure that you have a legal team on your side to do this, as legal proceedings can be tricky to navigate on your own.
Refuse to Complete Further Work
If you are in the middle of a project and have not been receiving the payment that you agreed upon at the start, the simplest solution is to stop working. Do not complete any further work until you know what you will be getting compensated for it. It is better to leave the project incomplete than to finish it and find yourself with no money for months of work. When the employer sees that you are serious about getting paid for your labor, he or she may be easier to deal with.
Before starting any types of independent contracting work, it can be helpful to reach out to others who have previously worked for the employer. This can give you help you determine if he or she is an honest and reputable person to work for. If you find yourself in a difficult situation not being paid, though, be sure to contact your business lawyer about guidance on the next steps to take.