Must a former employee physically collect a check (asking for a freind)

[Skrae]

I'm asking this for a friend of mine since she's trying to figure out what she can do and how to do it.

Here's the scenario: a couple months ago she moved from here (Denver, CO) to Dearborn, MI. After a few weeks spent working Toxic Hell, the realization that she left the only people she trusted back here and moved back about 3 weeks ago, giving a week's notice of quitting. This specific Taco Bell had a policy (not sure if it's company wide) of a two week pay period that overlapped. So:

Weeks:_________________Week_Week__Week_Week
Pay Period:_____________S__________ES__________E
When you receive check:________X___________X

S=Pay period start
E=Pay period End

Moving on. So anyway, she quit and had 2 paychecks stored up. She moved back here before she had a chance to collect either. Obviously, according to Michigan law, the company is required to pay her at the end of the next pay period, but this is where it gets grey...
Is the company required to send the checks by mail if the former employee is unable to collect the check physically, or would she have to fly back out there (which she can't afford) and pick them up herself, or could she have a relative (she moved out there to stay with her father) pick them up for her and send them?

[Boozy]

Why doesn't she just call her old workplace and ask? :confused:

[Skrae]

She has, her manager first said she'd send em when they get em. Friend checked back 2 days ago (and has checked in several times throughout this time) and the manager said she lost the address, only this last call though so we're wondering if maybe she's stalling for time?

[Boozy]

Then unless I had reason to believe that the manager would be vindictive or dishonest, I'd probably just wait for the cheque in the mail.

I have a feeling she is sort of suspicious of her ex-manager though, isn't she? Did she have some problems there before she left?

[Skrae]

That I'm not sure of, if she told me anything it probably got jumbled with all the horror stories I've read here.

[Triscuitty]

When I left my last job, I had to call the corporate office to get my final checks (since I wanted to avoid confronting my ex-boss) and my W-2 and 401k forms mailed to me. I don't know if Taco Bell is corporate...? But I'd suggest calling whoever the higher authority is, if the ex-manager is being a brat. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to withhold paychecks.

[Crazeyal]

Laws vary from state to state, the best thing to do is to contact the Labor board for a quick statement of rights. Then contact management once again. Inform them that the check is desired immediatly. Any hemming and hawing is to be stopped by the actual laws, forget threats and talk of reports. Knowledge truley is power in these situations.

[tropicsgoddess]

I would check with HR, Payroll or her GM if I were her about having her checks sent to her new address if her immediate boss is being vindictive about it.

[Skrae]

I've suggested she contact the labor board already. We know that the company can't legally withhold her checks, what we want to know is are they required to send them in the mail if the former employee can't physically pick them up. I'll likely have her call the labor board to ask about that.

[Evil Queen]

When I moved from NM back to NC, my last paycheck (paid bi-weekly) was mailed to my grandmothers house (the address I left for them). If she doesn't see her paycheck within the next few days she may have to call her boss again. They can't hold her checks; the company will have to do everything in their power to send it to her first.

Most paychecks (I think) are only good for 90 days so the company she worked for can't put it off forever. If they do she can get some legal action.

[DrFaroohk]

I know here in Maine, you have to physically show up and get your check. Dunon more beyond that ,like everyone else says, check the labor board.

[Megg]

I am a shift manager at Taco Bell. Our particular store is a franchise, though a large percentage are corporate. Our policy is to mail them if needed, and we also will get your last check to you within 2 business days if requested in writing.

I do not see why, barring some personal vendetta, your friend's ex-manager would not send out the checks. If necessary, she should go up the chain of command. If a franchise, the owner would like to hear about this, I am sure. If corporate, then the DM would not like it much, I would bet.

Good luck to your friend. :)