Legal Question in Business Law in Washington

My wife has worked for a fast food restaurant for the past 16 years. She is paid hourly and would also get a paid vacation. If she worked 1560 hours a year, she would get 60 hours of paid vacation. This is how it has been since her employment. About 8-9 months into the new period the company went franchise. It is bad enough that we lost insurance when they went franchise, but shouldn't the actual company still be responsible for paying her a prorated vacation pay since she has been working under the assumption of getting this money?


Asked on 12/11/10, 8:30 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Kevin B. Murphy Franchise Foundations, APC

As a Franchise Attorney I can only say this. Without a written employment agreement, all employment is "at will," meaning either party can terminate, etc. If that's the case with your wife, they can even change her pay rate and hours. You also said the company "went franchise," Does this mean her location was sold to a franchise operator? If so, that's yet another deal changer; a new party to an at will employment situation. Consult with a good business or franchise attorney in your area for specific advice.

Mr. Franchise - Kevin B. Murphy, B.S., M.B.A., J.D.

Franchise Foundations, a Professional Corporation

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Answered on 12/16/10, 8:45 am


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