Company has no payroll funds?

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by island911

You could ask for some type of collateral. ...computers, equipment...

You could, but it's highly likely all of the assets of the company are already encumbered. Someone will already have a blanket lien on everything.

But, anyways, time to start looking for another job, pronto.

Failing to make payroll is the LAST gasp of a dying company, always. This company is for sure already bankrupt.

[Tervuren]

Sounds like your making more than you would with anything else, I'd stick with it until you had another job lined up. Better to be paid a little late, than not paid at all.

As for fronting the money on the business trip, I do know that some companies do this on a regular basis, kinda stinks though. If they don't have the money, they should do it over the phone, internet, skype, etc. Although I don't know if the nature of the trip permits.

[1990C4S]

AS someone who has been in the same boat or worse:

a) Once they show signs of a cash flow issue never pay out of pocket for company expenses. NEVER. You get no benefit from 'travel', just the opposite. Get an advance or don't go.

b) Find a new job and get out before they close. To get all your money you need to get out, and you need to get out early, the risk of losing a paycheck increases the longer you stay. Quit, and have a lawyer send a letter if you don't get paid out within a week leaving.

c) Don't look back

[Evans, Marv]

So, document, document, document.

[lane912]

i have only worked one place that was going down. when the owner came to me with only a .32 cent raise i suspected something was up, when he wanted it back six months later because the business was bad i knew it was time to leave-
the restaurant lasted one more year-

[intakexhaust]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I've met a few Porsche driver Turkeys pretending that they were Eagles...

I like that line.

To the original poster, each circumstance is different and truly wish you the best and hope the company stays solvent. However, its not my style to reveal and trash someones name on a forum but so how I wish to. With experience in this and dealing through the legal route, its not easy and believe or not, the law in Illinois oddly falls with the employer. With my case, I did get my money but at the end, the States Attorney and Sheriff department were actually REPRIMANDED by the judge! You may re-read that again.

So, my suggestion is to cover your @ss and seek another company to work for. NEVER trust a company no matter the size. NEVER put your money out for expenses unless you are a part owner. Scott

[Brando]

Time to update your resume and look for a new gig. Plenty of advice from those who have been in the same boat (I've been there once before).

If they're having trouble making payroll, what is to say they can afford to keep the doors open? The last thing you want to do is come to work and see a sticker on the door from the Sheriff's dept stating Notice of Eviction. How do you get paid then?

Be professional about it. Tell them you will only do the trip if they can pay for it ahead of time. That means budgeting it out (and be conservative, they are close to broke) and getting payment up front.

Good luck to you.

[Head416]

Originally Posted by widebody911

GTFO ASAP.

^ this.

Sooner or later they are going to leave you holding a liability of theirs that will never get paid. It could be travel, regular wages, whatever. So how much are you willing to write off out of your own pocket in exchange for the fun of working there? Eventually this WILL cost you, it's just a matter of time.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by widebody911

GTFO ASAP. If you leave voluntarily, you probably won't be able to collect unemployment, so line up another job first. Be aware that your co-workers are probably already doing the same.

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

AS someone who has been in the same boat or worse:

a) Once they show signs of a cash flow issue never pay out of pocket for company expenses. NEVER. You get no benefit from 'travel', just the opposite. Get an advance or don't go.

b) Find a new job and get out before they close. To get all your money you need to get out, and you need to get out early, the risk of losing a paycheck increases the longer you stay. Quit, and have a lawyer send a letter if you don't get paid out within a week leaving.

c) Don't look back

Originally Posted by Head416

Sooner or later they are going to leave you holding a liability of theirs that will never get paid. It could be travel, regular wages, whatever. So how much are you willing to write off out of your own pocket in exchange for the fun of working there? Eventually this WILL cost you, it's just a matter of time.

amen. The cash flow issues demonstrate that they are teetering... could be fine, but it could be one bad contract or deal away from collapsing.

I am all for loyalty, but I've been burned by it. When I got laid off from my 9-5 job, my next job was with a new, local real estate brokerage that was vibrant and dynamic, but pretty disorganised. They started asking for advances (pay day loans) on our pending commissions, and I should have quit then. Instead, I waited things out and when the **** hit the fan I was left reacting with another 40 coworkers, scrambling for the same jobs. Even better, the owner/broker had forged my signature on 9k worth of payday loans which were pursued aggressively... ended up with a lien against my house within a week of the company folding. Good times!

[Two Rivers]

I received travel moneys for the week(I call it cash out of the blue) I have on the project but the pay for the last two weeks are still up in the air.
It`s kinda strange the supervisor there just wants to get the paper work done so billing can get things going.
I was surprised because this job has a lot of government regulations and mistakes can be deadly. I will not compromise my license for no one and am kinda getting the rub from higher up. I will just do what I do and see how it goes and hope something comes my way.

I have my resume updated and am starting to send it out.

I just want to thank all that responded it helped a great deal.

[cstreit]

Time to go unless you are expecting a big deal to turn things around.

I went through this working for a dotcom startup. When left they owed me about 5 months commission. (Which they did pay to their credit).

Since you have bills to pay and no other job lined up, and clearly don't want to just leave outright, I wouldn't suggest taking the FU approach as some have suggested but do be firm. They need you otherwise you'd have been fired to save expenses.

I would say to them that since your personal financial situation is not one where you can risk fronting the company a loan, so "I would be more comfortable if my main travel expenses (airfare, hotel) pre-paid on a company card." If they don't do this.. Well, then you have a touch decision. Unless you are part owner of the company, don't accept the "it's an investment into your future" line. (Unless of course they want to start granting part ownership).

[HarryD]

Chris:

I agree but offer a caveat that if the money stops flowing, he needs to spend his time on things that will be to his personal betterment (i.e. look for a job).

If he travels for them, they need to front the $$ as they are he ones who get the real benefit.

At this point in time, a partnership on a sinking ship is not much of an offer and if it was me, I would politely decline saying that cash talks.

Tworivers is in a very difficult situation and I hope it works out to his benefit.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I would AVOID any ownership of a sinking ship. Would hate to have my assets attached during bankruptcy by some fluke of a legal system.

[cstreit]

I should have used green text on the ownership part. It's just a line I've heard before that seemed rather preposterous.

What I was saying is that it's better not to burn bridges, but to approach them firmly that based on the current situation, fronting them a load is not a "firm investment".

[craigster59]

I had a friend who was given "part ownership" in lieu of a few paychecks towards the end of the business failing. After the dust settled he was on the hook for sales tax collected but never paid to the State, to the tune of $20,000.

[cashflyer]

In some states, employers are required to give you a "payday disclosure" when you are hired. Failure to pay employees on time may be grounds for you to quit and not be penalized with a delay on collecting unemployment benefits. Failure to pay on time may also be illegal. Speak to an attorney in your state, or find a new job. Either way, a company that is having those kinds of financial problems may be sinking faster than the Lusitania.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Chris, Thank you for the clarification! I think many of us missed it!

[campbellcj]

Originally Posted by craigster59

I had a friend who was given "part ownership" in lieu of a few paychecks towards the end of the business failing. After the dust settled he was on the hook for sales tax collected but never paid to the State, to the tune of $20,000.

A sales guy who used to work for me was granted something like $200K in stock by a former employer when they ran low on cash and could not pay him some hefty commissions owed. Of course they reported it as income to him (technically, probably a cap gain with $0 basis) and the taxman wanted to be paid in cash. The company was private thus the stock not liquid. He ended up returning the shares and never saw a dime...

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by campbellcj

............ The company was private thus the stock not liquid. He ended up returning the shares and never saw a dime...

.......................and I thought the car business was full of thieves.......