How to deal with payroll issues.
[A well wisher of Desicrunch.com passed us following important points.]
1. To the employees who are not on bench and yet get paid irregularly.
a. Keep all the timesheets, pay stubs, monthly statements provided by the employer.
b. Retain e-mails/mails thru which you notify your employer about your pay.
2. Verify the salary and taxes reported on your W-2.
a. Make sure your salary and taxes reported on W-2 are equal to the sum of all values reported on your pay stubs during the year. It is suggested that you retain copies of last three years' W-2s.
b. It is the employer's duty to report correct wages, and taxes on W-2 and mail the W-2 by Feb 1st of the next year.
c. Make sure you retain all communications when you ask for the W-2.
3. How to deal with employers and/or ex-employers holding your salary
a. File anonymous (where the employer would not know who filed the case) / formal (where your name will be notified as claimant to the employer) complaint to DOL (Federal/State) in case you are not paid for any duration. You need to provide as much documentation as proof to your claim.
Note: Items listed in section 1 and 2 would make your case strong and valid.
4. Legal help
a. You may hire a labor attorney/seek a legal opinion about your case before proceeding for a DOL hearing. You may want to look up white pages for few per bono lawyers who can assist in your case.
5. Consequences
a. You will be reimbursed all the salary upon stating the validity of the case or you may not if you do not have adequate proof.
b. Your employer may offer to pay up the salary once hears the complaint.