Working at a startup can seem like such an exciting opportunity. All that promise and potential. But, what do you do cash flow issues hit the company hard and suddenly your paychecks start playing hide-and-seek with your bank account. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, the startup pulls out its trump card – they stop paying everyone’s salaries altogether. We have a reader asking for advice on what should you do if the startup can’t make payroll anymore.
Dear Jane,
I worked at a startup for about two years. I was excited to be a part of a new company, and I was committed to my work. However, after about a year, the company started having cash flow issues. My paychecks started coming later and later, and eventually, the startup stopped paying everyone’s salaries altogether.
I held out hope that the company would recover, but it didn’t. I was forced to apply for unemployment benefits, and I’ve been living off of that for the past six months. I’m starting to lose hope that I’ll ever get paid for the work I did.
What can I do? I’m feeling desperate. I need to find a way to pay my bills and support myself.
I can only imagine how frustrating and disheartening this must be for you. Holding onto hope that the company would bounce back was admirable, but let’s face it – hope doesn’t pay bills or put food on the table.
There are still options available to help pull you out of this financial quagmire:
1. Start a case with L&I: Persistence is key when dealing with bureaucratic systems. Keep following up on your case and make sure to document every single interaction – calls made at ungodly hours included – because who knows what might come in handy later?
2. Consult an attorney: Sometimes all it takes is some legal muscle to nudge things along in your favor (or at least scare them into action). Consider reaching out to an attorney who specializes in employment law or contract disputes to explore your options further.
3. Explore alternative income streams: Desperate times call for desperate measures! Get creative and think outside the box for ways to generate income while waiting for resolution from L&I.
Remember; life has its ups and downs but don’t lose faith just yet! Keep fighting for what you’re owed, and don’t give up hope.
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful if your startup is not paying salary:
- The National Employment Law Project: A non-profit organization that provides legal assistance to low-wage workers.
- The American Association for Justice: A national association of lawyers who represent consumers and injured workers.
- The National Consumer Law Center: A non-profit organization that provides legal assistance to low-income consumers.
I hope this helps.
Stay strong,
Jane