OK, to start off it has been really slow at my job. With this economy, not very many people are spending money on home audio/video systems. My boss has always been a bit absent minded, but I have been getting way too many calls from prospective customers who has gone out to see and never got back to with a proposal. That is enough to just get me annoyed at him. The next thing is that I have been getting quite a few calls from collection departments for him. OK, this is something that can just go along with his absentmindedness.

Last week, I got a letter from our supplemental insurance company saying that my coverage was in jeopardy from non-payment. This caught me off guard because it is paid out of payroll deductions. I brought it up to my boss, and he said not to worry about it then changed the subject.

Today, a representative from the Department of Revenue came into the store looking for my boss. Apparantly there were 2 months worth of sales tax that did not get paid. Follow this up with one of my coworkers coming in and telling me that he called our supplemental insurance company and was told that they hadn't received a payroll payment since last November.

I have basically spent most of today sick to my stomach, and unsure what to make of all of this.

Wow, Jeff that sucks. I would start looking for something else just in case. Hope it works out though.

Dang, Jeff, sorry to hear that. I agree w/Joe. Start looking just to be on the safe side.

Take any equipment that’s in the place and put in into your truck. Make sure you take a copy of the client list. If there is any cash around I’d take a few weeks severance pay out of it because it sounds like you’ll be out of work very soon. Been there and been fucked, sorry bro. Maybe it’s time to open your own thing.

I was working in a retail store when NYS shut it down because the sales tax was not turned in. They padlocked the place and auctioned off the contents a few weeks later. I found out that for almost a year I was working off the books. I had to pay back taxes, could not collect any unemployment and had no severance payoff.

Jeff I gotta say that I'm sorry and have to agree with others. I wouldn't wait and sit there for it to happen. Which it does sound like it's gonna.

I wish ya luck bro..

Jeff...

I will keep your situation in our prayers!!!

I was in the SAME situation before I moved and enlisted!!!

I have a friend that owns an alarm company in CT... if you want I can try to call him!!!

Oh Man Jeff that sounds like he'll be closed soon or in jail.
Definately start looking and have a backup plan/job.
I've been there done that it totaly sucks
Racing to the bank to see if the check clears
Going to the hospital with the kid and the hospital says there is no coverage
Get out and cover your ass he will pull others in to the void he has created.
Next is a Insurance Fire.
Or blameing you for missing equipment /tools so they will pay for it.
Get out now!!!!!

I have to say that I agree with Tom on this one.
Get what you can out of there - soon - and receipt everything... I've been in a similar position and, if things go very south, you could go into work one day only to find that it's locked up and you have zero recourse.

If you have the client list that's waiting, get a copy of that and start calling. See if they are fine with a contractor, rather than an employee doing the work and go from there. Don't assume that you have insurance at this point and don't assume that your income taxes are being paid. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Yep been there too... I got a call at about 9am from a co worker... "you might want to get over here now" Arrived to find the owner packing his truck up and took off never to be seen again. let alone the $$ owed. Things were weird like you are saying and he insisted everything was fine till the end. Sorry man

sorry to hear - I hope things work out for you.

Jeff, are there other shops around, like Tweeter or Ciruit City that may be looking for installers/technicians? It may not be what you're looking for, but at least it would be a more stable company. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Jeff,

I'm so sorry to hear that. I agree with everyone else. Make sure your resume is up to date and have it reviewed. Make a copy of your client list and start contacting them, discreetly, and see if they will deal with a contractor. They may also be good references for networking. I don't know much about your field but it sounds like contacting Tweeter, Circut City, etc. would be a good idea. I would also contact CT DOL and see what your eligibility is for unemployment benefits, etc. I also found that they may have some helpfull resources.
I'm an employer in a completely different field but may be able to help in a pinch. PM me if your interested in finding out more. I've been through stuff like this before so I may have some other ideas. I also have access to a pretty good HR specialist who may be able to provide some guidance/help as well.

Barry

Well, things are starting to look better already. We finally got a final payment from a large job that we finished a year ago. Another one gave us partial payment which still didn't meet our agreement with him, so he is being sued in small claims for the rest of it.

I am still on the lookout and ready to make a move if I have to. My brother has been talking about opening his own business in this field with me running it, but has been waiting for me to gain some more experience.

Good news but watch your 6. Keep moving forward with your original plan if this doesn't take care of the finacial health of the company.

Barry

I agree i would look for a back up if something happens. My brother got screwed with something like that a while back... he finally ended up leaving and a few weeks later the place was closed...

Hope everything works out for you and things start turning around. just doccument everything just if you need it later to get coverage and pay or something...