Hi all,

I have a major problem. I hope you guys can come up with some good suggestions, if any. Please..??

I have been in the US of A as an F-1 student, for more than a year. I never had, nor did I even think that I would ever come across this kinda situation. The thing is during this summer of ’06, I worked for a fast-food restaurant in cash. The business is actually a corporate one, but an Indian and a Turkish guy have been running this branch as franchise holders for few years. There was no problem for the past two and a half months; everyone knows and they admit it too that I was the best employee ever; drama started once I gave them the fifteen day notice that I was quitting from the 26th coz my school was restarting from the 28th. They wanted me to work till sometime around September but since I did give them the 15 day notice as per the rule (or whatever they say), I wasn’t obliged to them in any way. Everything seemed ok but now that I call them up to ask for my pay check, they say they won’t pay me!! To my greater surprise, I came to know from my best buddy, who was working with me in there, that the manager called her n said that (now that I’ve already left ‘em) he suspected me of taking cash from the register. When I called him up why he wouldn’t pay me, then he says u have cheated me, so I don’t wanna pay u. All the registers are watched over by the security cameras, so I told them when u have blamed me with such a big accusation, u have everything taped why don’t u show it to me. But they won’t. Coz they don’t have anything! I swear on my most beloved ones I haven’t done anything such, I did never even think abt taking a penny. I am frustrated. I don’t know what to do. We all know how much even a dollar is worth for students like us. I don’t wanna loose my hundreds of dollars. I have worked so hard for it, and thts not what I deserve. When I ask them abt it, they say if u will take it any further we will take it to the immigration (they have my SSN, too)!!! WTF. I even challenged them to do it. I m not scared coz I know n God knows I’ve never done anything wrong as wht they have been accusing. On top of that they called me up yesterday and threatened ‘if anything happens to me and my business I will make sure u’ll go to jail and go back home!!!I cannot live with that allegation! I am not being able to console myself. Everyone knows they are just doing it not to pay me. I’ve not been able to concentrate in my studies nor anything I just feel like crying my heart out.
I am a very good student and have remained in good standing ever. Do u have any ideas abt anything I can do to get my money and clear the accusation off my head?( There are many others too who haven’t gotten their pay from them). I m hurt, hurt as I can ever be!! Is there anyone who can give me a good suggestion, please?
Your appropriate suggestions would be highly appreciated!

Shailendra Ji,

I wish I dint have any guts and that I'ldn't seek glory!!!

I dont know the reason behind ur rage, but just to let u know, when u r the victim. U wouldnt care but jus wanted to let all suggestive sajhaites know that I wrote to the corporate office! I m waiting for their response!!
Sorry, if my post wasted ur time!

Typo!!!

but just to let u know, ... things aren't easy when u r the victim....

There was some chances of recovering the money earlier...but I guess that window of opportunity is no longer there.

I used that trick few years earlier in Chicago..and it worked wonderfully. "Cheaters should be cheated in even more shrewd way" was the theme of my game..

I was in similar situation at that time...I had quit the work but I still had yet to recover the money.I just told the Indian guy there that I'll be returning to work in 4 week for sure because I had to do some paperwork (the crook Indian believed it) and told him that I needed money for the paperwork.

He agreed to give me the money based on the condition that I'll return to work for sure in 4 weeks. He game the money and I never showed up there ever again....

You can do nothing if they dont want to pay. Indian pakastani, turkish, greek and other these sorts of people are ass holes. Sh_t happens. Just move on.
Be happy, Now you have learnt a lesson.

Sorry about that. When a dhoti treats to nepali like that, I can't control myself.

Tell me which city did you work in?

Told ya , Dallas, TX...

Thanks ss74k, slackdemic, guchha, and all.

I got the best solution for you. I have been in a similar situation, and here is my story.

I was working for some indian folks which was reffered to me by my uncle. I trained there for 2 weeks working more than 100 hours. I was told to get paid for training, but later they refused to pay. I told my uncle about it. He went there and said, "We have a community of 200 nepali people.If you are not paying my nephew, I am going to gather theoe people over here and they will getch you. You will be making headline tomorrow. F*%K those american cops, those crowd will decide what to do."
The owners got really scared. He called me, and gave me my money. I remember him asking how many nepalis are around. I told him around 200. That migh have scared him. That formula worked for me, and after 1 year, I am still working over there.

I say gather your friends and go on a Julush outside their restaurant. Carry placards saying "Stop Exploitation" etc. In america everyone is allowed peaceful demonstration. I've seen peaceful demonstration outside Gap for abusing workers.

They will be scared for their business and give you the money. They can't risk their business going down for your few weeks pay. Even if you have few people there at one time it would still be good.

I know it's easier said than done but you just gotta move on. Let your ex remain as a pleasant memory but I seriously don't think things work out after such an episode... And just don't do anything stupid.. Dude, trust me... when you look back on this 3-4 years from now, you will only laugh at it...

wrong thread.. sorry.

Do u have any evidences that you worked there? like pics taken during work, copy of the pay checks, wittness, etc.

Well, witnesses are there!! I mean my frens who worked there!! If i can get hold of some regular costumers, they would verify as well. But, whr?

I has a letter of recommendation they wrote for me, with the managers' signature and their stamp. My bad, I misplaced it. Never even thought I'ld come across this kinda situation!! I've not destroyed it for sure, but m not being able to find it. Still looking...

oopsie had*

The frens that I am talking abt are the ones who worked there with me.

honesty, you wont get your money back, unless you go and talk to the owner and work things out, between you and them.

legal option, well as a student i dont know how strong you are financially to pay the legal fees.

complaining to cops--well its not their job, u gotta go to court.

working getting paid--- illegal.

how bad you feel - be happy, you dont have to see their faces again, may be it cost you 1000 bucks for that, but not arm and leg.

Welcome to America.

If only they would be punished for their deed, I wont even ask for my money...

So, thts the reason why I am reporting to the Corporate Office and the BBB. M waiting for the corporate offices' response!!

Fingercrossed!

Now you are talking.... I like the way you think now. Those bastards must be punished.

Do you have any pics taken at your work? If yes, please describe the pics.

How did you usually use to get paid, by cash or by check? If check, do you have any copy of the checks?

Please remember, you won't have to spend a lot of money for court fees. I guess the max amount would be not more than $60. If you win the case, judge will have them pay you all the court fees that you have spent.

Next time I will send you the court info.

Good luck, Miss! I am crossing my fingers for you, too!

I am very positive that your writing to the corporate office really accelerates the case in your favor. . .

That Turkish and Indian are going to be real loosers for sure. I think I am sure they will be in trouble for hiring you and not paying you, altogether, once the corporate office learns about it (from your letter to them, that is).

Maybe, the corporate office will work on paying you for what you worked if there are people with little brain and if they know (from you letter) that you are taking the case to the court if they don't pay you and punish the Turkish and Dhoti.

And, about the evidence you worked there..well, that should not be a problem. I am sure your ex-coworkers (who can tell yes for yes and no for no) should be enough. I hope you find the letter of recommendation from them, too! Plus, I think you mentioned that there are secuirty cameras in the place you worked.

I don't worry on that part.

All should go well!

miss,

you ought to go to one of those shows: judge judy etc. on tv and have them punished.

i know that it was not legal for you to have worked off-campus unless you have a work permit.

i hope things work out and those crooks learn a lesson.

whoever said take a bunch of people and protest is of so typical nepali mentality - isn't that what ppl do in nepal- protest and julus for the smallest things that they can't work it out??

you have gotten many suggestions here and i am sure it'll all be settled. But don't lose your sleep over it.

good luck

Did you say it was a fast food place? If so call the Health Dept with complaints. Just keep give them hell some way or ther other.

Miss, where are you? what is going on? I am just curious how your case is going.Keep us posted.