This is either the best thing ever....or the worst prank.

[Seraph]

Any more news from the company?

I was told yesterday that the big software project launched, and "revenue should be coming in very, very soon", and that it was looking pretty good. Going to ask shortly, if there's any update.

[Aethian]

I'm pulling for ya Seraph.

[Seraph]

No update at all. Just a restatement of "the funds are coming soon".

The next month is going to be extremely difficult on us. I am not looking forward to this.

Edit: I just left a message at the Florida Dept of Labor. I'll be calling them on Monday to see what my options are at this point.

[cinema guy]

Oh man that sucks. I've just read this whole thread.

At least you are being pro-active about talking to the DoL.

[shopgirl15]

Aw man I'm sorry.

[Dreamstalker]

*hugs* Aw crap, I'm sorry you had to be put through this.

I don't know if this will help, but there's a Freelancer's Union (although based in New York, they might have some advice about getting the full story from the company).

[Aethian]

Any update?

[Seraph]

Ok, so yesterday morning I was asked if I will be staying with the company. In response, I sent a letter to the heads of the company offering a compromise. I *want* to stay with them, if they can offer pay stability. I also offered to be a freelancer who contracted with them, but that it'd have the drawback of me having to charge more, and possibly having other things to do. I also requested that I at least get my first four weeks paycheck, and that the others could be settled by the end of July, when things got better.

They brought it into discussion, I'm supposed to hear back from them this afternoon with their decision/reply.

On the other hand, I heard back from the Dept of Labor today as well. They took down everything, and I asked them to hold off just one day while I find out what's going to happen. I know for a fact that if I pull *that* trigger, there's no going back, and I will burn that bridge. I'd rather not, if at all possible, so I'm in a holding pattern, I guess. Going to see what today brings.

....hopefully good news.

[Mel]

I really hope you hear good news very soon.

[Seraph]

Just had a long, long talk with my boss, finally. Been frantically trying to reach him, and he finally responded today.

tldr; they expanded because they had gotten a large set of contracts with a new client partner. Said client threw all the work at them, and when they completed it, didn't pay. So now they are stuck with a pile of work they did, a new workforce they hired on, and nothing to pay them with. They were extremely apologetic, and asked if I'd be willing to move to contract basis, until they were more stable, and could truly offer me a full-time position again. He said they would understand if I said no, since they betrayed my trust....I said get me my paycheck this week, and I will stay on contract. He sounded extremely grateful (no surprise, I heard just about everyone else quit), and said that Thursday, the funds on hold from another client are supposed to be released, and then they can pay me, and everyone else.

I said that sounded good, but that I really needed them to do it this time, due to my bills piling up. He said he understood, and that he was in the same boat. He hasn't drawn a check either, and that he was also in dire straits with bills...so he was doing all he could to get everything paid out this week.

Guess I'll call up the DOL with this update, and ask them to wait until Monday. It kills me to have to wait yet another week...but I guess that if they can pay by then, that'd be fine. I'd also rather not burn down a potentially nice bridge, and a possible job opp in the future.

[Crossbow]

At least it sounds like they're trying to make it right. Hopefully the funds from this other client get released as promised. I agree with holding off on the DoL fireball, but don't hesitate to pull the trigger if they screw up again.

Of course, even if everything is stabilized, now they're going to have to burn capital to go after the non-paying client...

[EricKei]

Got my fingers crossed for ya.

[Aethian]

Wow, I feel for this company. They were doing the right thing in the way in expanding slowly and then were given a offer on a gold platter that turned out to be yellow tin. I would also hold onto the trigger of the DoL, given that the boss has contacted you and has given a time frame on when you'll have your money.

[MoonCat]

And I hope said client will be going on "prepay ONLY" status from here on... assuming they ever take that client's work again.

[TheSHAD0W]

Wow, I feel for this company. They were doing the right thing in the way in expanding slowly and then were given a offer on a gold platter that turned out to be yellow tin.

Meh. As a boss, I'm rather feudal. I demand a lot from my employees, but I take care of them. Being able to cover their paychecks is a primary responsibility, more important than all other parts of the business. Running that close to the bone without some way of making payroll in case of an emergency isn't right.