Legal Question in Employment Law in Florida

I worked for a small sign company for a very short period of time, less than 3 months... I ended up quitting, and left asking the owner to send me my last paycheck via US Mail. He said he would, and I have not received it yet, I called and spoke to him yesterday. It has been over 2 weeks since I quit, and he said he had not sent the check, but asked if I got the certified letter he had sent. I have not, and told him so. He then tried to get me off the phone, telling me to just wait for the letter. I ended up requesting that he tell me why he had not sent the check. He then proceeded to accuse me of stealing from him, which is completely unfounded and untrue (in fact, I left him with over $2000 worth of free fonts that he had no access to prior to my employment) and also accused me of calling his clients trying to obtain their business. Also untrue, since I have not worked AT ALL since leaving there... and accused me of telling clients that I was working for a competitor, and a variety of all sorts of other lies... and then he ended by saying he would NOT be giving me my final paycheck.

I am wondering what recourse I have... I quit because he accused me of losing a major client (which was also false). And also due to some major medical issues that have occured.

I don't know what to do, and with the economy the way it is...I am broke and need my final check.

Thank you for your time.


Asked on 12/22/09, 12:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sarah Grosse Sarah Grosse, Esquire

The employer must give you your final paycheck. But, how do you go about making him? My best suggestion is to hire an attorney on a limited basis to write the employer a demand letter. A few choice words from an attorney can sometimes produce the desired results. If that doesn't work, or if you just want to skip the letter, I suggest you sue him in small claims court (you do not need an attorney for that).

Good luck!

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Answered on 12/31/09, 7:26 am


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