Do I fight, or do I let it go?

[Zoe]

I’m not an attorney and can’t give you the answers to your legal questions.

But I do know that fighting for my rights (once through the justice system and once through the School Board) gave me a sense of impowerment that I did not have before. The strength was there, I just didn’t know it until I stood up for myself.

I would ask your friend for legal advice and work out a financial arrangement with her or him. Be sure to mention these other suits that are being filed.

[CanvasShoes]

have you considered talking to the feds about this? those dealing with laws of employment? IMHO, that should be your first stop. They may be able to help you recover it, AND possibly get these folks fined, or at least warned or something.

Good luck, and yes, another vote for FIGHT IT

[CanvasShoes]

@Obsidian

Uh, the government? I know what I’ve seen and been a party to. Many assistants see everything, though they lack any say in the matter. I have no intention of sticking my neck out and hoping they don’t somehow turn something around on me. Would I be cleared? I’m almost sure of it. Cold comfort after I spend all my savings on lawyers.

You feel like insulting me while I’m having a bad day? Go visit the pit and leave me alone with the people who can play nice.

I don’t understand. Why would you possibly get into trouble with the gov’t for demanding what is rightfully yours? Were your company purchases somehow shady for some reason?

All the more reason to blow the whistle then. Good luck and hang in there.

[Muffin]

@CanvasShoes

I don’t understand. Why would you possibly get into trouble with the gov’t for demanding what is rightfully yours? Were your company purchases somehow shady for some reason?

All the more reason to blow the whistle then. Good luck and hang in there.

If you threaten someone, you risk that they might come back and bite you in the ass – for example, by hitting you with a defamation action. Regardless of who wins or loses, it is a pain in the ass to be sued. If the issue is a simple debt, then stick with the simple debt, and don’t go wading into deeper waters. As long as the debt is provable, there is no need to go astray.

[Obsidian]

@CanvasShoes

I don’t understand. Why would you possibly get into trouble with the gov’t for demanding what is rightfully yours? Were your company purchases somehow shady for some reason?

All the more reason to blow the whistle then. Good luck and hang in there.

Muffin got it right.

There’s nothing wrong or shady about my purchases. What I mean is. . .let’s say I report the company for forcing hourly employees to work off the clock so they don’t have to pay overtime. Say this claim causes bad publicity, in an industry with clients who are VERY sensitive to negative press. Is my company vindictive enough to try and sue me for defamation? Yep. I’m sure it would get tossed out, but I’d still have to pay a lawyer.

I appreciate very much the advice given. This truly is an awesome place.

[Dangerosa]

If that is what is happening, you may just be able to report them - sometimes even anonomously - to your state labor board. Many states have whistleblower laws just to protect you from this sort of thing. IANAL, but it might be worth a conversation with your friend who is.

I once went to the EEOC with a complaint and found them very helpful - and VERY protective.

[CanvasShoes]

@Dangerosa

If that is what is happening, you may just be able to report them - sometimes even anonomously - to your state labor board. Many states have whistleblower laws just to protect you from this sort of thing. IANAL, but it might be worth a conversation with your friend who is.

I once went to the EEOC with a complaint and found them very helpful - and VERY protective.

Yeah, what she said. And if they ARE doing something like that, you will be protected. It wouldn’t be the gov’t you’d “be in trouble” with, but the company itself, and IANAL either, but I believe that the onus is upon them to prove you wrong, especially if you have proof (you kept recornds and have rcpts right?).

Best of luck.