I was offered a General Manager position at a successful hotel in my area, and was asked to start immediately. My first two weeks of training amounted to 48 hours for the pay period. On the day that we ran payroll, the co-owner told me that he would only be paying me hourly for this first period. I was pretty confident that this was not just unethical, but illegal, but just let it slide at the time. We are about to run payroll again tomorrow, and I was thinking of mentioning how I am owed $512 for the salary I didn't receive last check. I left another job for this position, and having this thrown on me has actually caused a lot of financial problems (check was only a couple days before rent and other bills, so I even had to take out a title loan just to compensate for the money I expected to receive). Am I wrong to demand payment?
Answers (1)
The part I don't understand is why was salary not discussed before you started? If they wanted to pay you hourly through your training period that should have been discussed. The hourly rate should have been discussed and how long would the training period last? They are not the only ones at fault, you should have asked.
Apparently the amount per hour they are paying you is minimal or you wouldn't think they still owe you money. I'm pretty sure they don't think they do or at least the second guy doesn't.
You need to maintain a professional demeanor and go have a meeting with the guy who hired you. You do NOT confront! This is your career we are talking about so you do not get into angry mode at this point. You simply tell him that you are confused about something that should have been clarified at the interview.
You say you did not know you would be paid a minium wage hourly amount so you were very shocked to see a check $500 less than you thought it would be. You would like to know when the salary you originally discussed will go into effect. Give the guy the opportunity to discuss it. Give yourself the maturity level and professionalism of a General Manager that you were hired to be. Don't sound or look less than that in any conversation with them. Upper management does not do confrontive. Good luck!