Legal Question in Employment Law in Arizona

Do employer owe for work done

I started working for ######, installing satellite dishes for TV and Internet. Before I started the owner informed me that I needed to get libality insurance before to long. I said find as soon as I can afford it and the work is steady I will get the insurance.

During the month of June I earned roughly 1200.00. Starting the first week of July the owner started to comment about a lack of money comming in from the main distributer, paying him for jobs completed. And would I mind waiting for payment. On July 17th the owner informed me that there was no more work available for me, as due to some goof up the main distributer had canceled him as a autherized Installer.

At that time the owner told me that when he got it straigthen out he would be able to line me up more jobs to do and would be able to pay me in full. Up to this point the owner knew that I had not yet purchased the Insurance, as we were both not sure if there was going to be any more work availible.

Now, the owner says that he will not pay me for the remaining installations because I did not have insurance. The monies he owes me is close to 900.00, is there any thing I can do?


Asked on 8/07/02, 12:33 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Debra Palomino PALOMINO LAW FIRM, P.C.

Re: Do employer owe for work done

Yes, you can contact the Department of Labor for wages unpaid or file a lawsuit against the employer for the same. If your previous employer is not able to show a good faith dispute for withholding your pay, you may be entitled to treble your damages.

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Answered on 8/07/02, 12:38 pm

Re: Do employer owe for work done

Unfortunately, the amount the employer owes you is so small that hiring a lawyer to pursue a lawsuit is hardly worthwhile, and could the process from start to finish can take as much as year or more. You do have some other options. One option is to ask for assistance from the Department of Labor, although their process takes soem time too. Possibly the quickest course of action is to file your own claim in small claims court, and request mediation. Mediation is a process where a neutral third party works with two parties to assist them in resolving their differences. The Maricopa County Small Claims Court system has a mediation program. When a claim is filed, you try mediation. If it works, great. If not, you can then go without a lawyer to see the judge and present your case. Some of the other Arizona counties also have mediation programs. If you're not in Maricopa County, call your local court system and ask. If you have any questions about mediation or the small claims court, feel free to e-mail me, or check out my web site on mediation, at www.yesmediation.com

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Answered on 8/07/02, 1:10 pm


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