Can they withhold my pay?

[Marnier]

So as a quick recap i work for a transportation company driving students etc. The company allows the drivers to take the cars home so it is faster to start the day in the mornings. I just recently got another part time job that cuts into part of the hours i used to work driving.
(I had talked to them about this and they agreed that it was fine, no problems. i even said I would work the morning shift as my other job is afternoon only)

Well, 2 days a week I only work half of a shift now for them. During my second week of training at my new job they made me an entire hour late for training. The very next day they told me I had to vacuum the car immediately and I told them that I couldn't as I would be late again and couldn't afford to be fired after only 2 weeks.

Then they threated to withhold next week's paycheck from me if I didn't vacuum the car. (This was the end of my shift on Friday) I told them i would do it first thing monday morning. I didn't have time to discuss it because I was going to be late again. I walked away and went to my second job.

I live in Massachusetts. Is it legal for them to withhold my pay for not doing this task right then and there? Or even withhold it at all?

my next question is if they do try and hold my check should I have them put i in writing as to why? I would go to the labor board but I wouldn't have any proof if i didn't.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

~Marnier

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I don't think it's ever okay to withhold pay just because you don't do something they want you to.

[Pedersen]

I'm sure there are many things they can do legally. Not paying you is not one of them.

You provided services. Services for which they agreed to pay you. They have failed to keep up their end of the bargain if they withhold pay.

Now, what happens to you if you don't pay a debt?

They can get it worse, since the state labor board will have all sorts of nasty extra powers.

Here's what you do between now and then: Find the phone number to call at the state labor board to report them. Program it into your cell phone. If they mention it again between now and payday, or if they do withhold pay, whip out the phone and start dialing while they watch. When they ask who you're calling, tell them "I'm calling the labor board to report improper paycheck withholding."

Their tune will change before the second ring.

[Marnier]

Thanks for the advice. However, when i went to work this morning they had sent someone else to do my work. i ran into them on my first stop. They were training someone else to drive the route. Then they sent me for another pickup, I went, and when I got there they told me the pickup wasn't for another 45 minutes.

I had enough. Called them and then I quit. WOOOHOOOO!!!!:D:D:D

Although they did again try to threaten to hold my check I don't care.

Wish me luck in my search for a new job ;)

~Marn

[Shangri-laschild]

Thanks for the advice. However, when i went to work this morning they had sent someone else to do my work. i ran into them on my first stop. They were training someone else to drive the route. Then they sent me for another pickup, I went, and when I got there they told me the pickup wasn't for another 45 minutes.

I had enough. Called them and then I quit. WOOOHOOOO!!!!:D:D:D

Although they did again try to threaten to hold my check I don't care.

Wish me luck in my search for a new job ;)

~Marn

Enjoy that liberating freedom while you can. Make sure they pay you though!

[Dips]

I also live in Massachusetts. It is illegal to withold your paycheck or not pay you for hours worked. Period.

Even though you have quit, they have to pay you for the time you worked by the next regular payday. If you don't get paid the full amount, you can file a complaint by calling the Attorney General at (617) 727-3465 or by mail using this form:

http://www.mass.gov/Cago/docs/Workplace/ComplaintForm.pdf

Good luck.