'I need my full paycheck': Employee quits two weeks in after boss never draws up his W2, demands to be paid in full

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Oct 5, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

Some jobs seem like great opportunities in theory, but in practice, things can go awry pretty quickly. 

Here, we have a social media strategist who was hired by a boutique dentist's office and was tasked with making video content for his new boss. However, after requesting a W2 on day one, his new employer kept delaying drawing up any paperwork. It became crystal clear to the new hire that this was not going to work out, as he was putting in over 40 hours a week and still had not had the opportunity to sign that initial paperwork. Additionally, it wasn't worth the commute, gas, and tolls every day. So when he confronted his boss about his imminent departure, the dentist tried to make payment a front desk issue. 

Keep scrolling below to see how the employee dug his heels into the ground and refused to go away until he was properly compensated for those two weeks. For more content like this, check out this post about this new tutor's poor hours.

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  • 01
    *** 2014 SIGN HERE A (OIC) (Rev. 3-2019)
    via Kelly Sikkema

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My new employer is trying to play games with my pay. My new employer is trying to play games with my paycheck.
    via mostlygayy
  • 03
    I was hired as a social media manager for a popular cosmetic dentist. My offer was $5000 monthly salary, but I'd be paid biweekly. My first few days I asked when I'd be doing any kind of legal
    via mostlygayy
  • 04
    paperwork. He told me I could be w2 or contract. I request w2. 2 weeks roll by and there's no word of when I'll being signing papers. Other red flags pop up and I decide this job isn't worth is as I'm spending $75 a week in gas and almost the same in tolls.
    via mostlygayy
  • 05
    They're now requesting I bring the work phone back which has all the content videos on there. I told them I have zero issue going to drop it off but I need my full paycheck as I worked a full 2 weeks. The dentist is handing this off to the front desk and making it their issue. They're claiming we didn't agree on that salary but she can't tell me what it is.
    via mostlygayy
  • 06
    I sent back my offer email stating the exact amount. Now she says they're trying to figure out how much to pay me because "I wasn't there every day" but I absolutely
    via mostlygayy
  • 07
    was there every single day. They had no way of tracking my hours. I was also coming home and working more. Not to mention it shouldn't matter how many hours specifically as I was hired salary. Although it was over 40 hours a week I put in.
    via mostlygayy
  • 08
    They're making this quite difficult. How do I even go about getting my full check? I don't feel comfortable returning the work phone until I get paid. What would you do?
    via mostlygayy
  • 09
    Winter_Ad_5961 21 hr. ago Go to the labor board.
    via mostlygayy
  • 10
    Honest_Palpitation91. 18 hr. ago And report to the irs.
    via mostlygayy
  • 11
    HealthyDirection659 . 17 hr. ago And don't return the work phone unless paid. That is your only leverage.
    via mostlygayy
  • 12
    RAGEEEEE. 16 hr. ago Work phone? Oh, he turned that in a week ago. Not his fault they don't remember.
    via mostlygayy
  • 13
    Honest_Palpit ation91 . 16 hr. ago And no one gave him a receipt. He turned it in though.
    via mostlygayy
  • 14
    thedreamer714 - 20 hr. ago Your best bet is the labor board. Keep anything in writing, such as the email with the pay rate. Do you have the job ad, and does it list any details to corroborate your story, such as work hours? Screenshot any work texts.
    via mostlygayy
  • 15
    In the future, always get something in writing or a document from the employer stating your rate of pay, work hours, and work location.
    via mostlygayy
  • 16
    If they required you to come in the office or work certain hours, this will likely make it a w2 job and they will face penalties without the proper paperwork.
    via mostlygayy
  • 17
    I would send the phone back via mail certified and insured requiring signature. I'm no lawyer, but I believe they can legally hold your check if you fail to return property. Sorry this happened to you. Good luck!
    via mostlygayy
  • 18
    DirtyPenPalDoug 20 hr. ago. Copy your work.. delete it on their O report to dol
    via mostlygayy
  • 19
    BigTex380 - 20 hr. ago They likely never added you to their payroll system so doing that now makes no sense to them. Offer to send an invoice for the two weeks and let them 1099 you instead.
    via mostlygayy
  • 20
    mostlygayy OP. 18 hr. ago Unfortunately I can't back up my content. They've shut down the iPhone and I cannot get into it. So they get to keep my work and I cannot delete it. I don't want to keep the phone by any means I just feel like it's my only leverage
    via mostlygayy
  • 21
    to get my money. $2300 is a lot of money to just throw down the drain. Plus the several hundred I've already spent between gas and tolls.
    via mostlygayy

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