New to Home health company and first paycheck bounced!!

Blackcat99 · Apr 15, 2011

Good grief!!!!! What a mess!!!! I knew you had to be in Florida.( before you said you were from Florida). Call the labor board and see if they can help you. If not, sue them in small claims court. Good luck.

radrook · Apr 15, 2011

Thank you for your response, but just curious how did you know I was from Fla? Just wondering why you said that. Thanks

Blackcat99 · Apr 15, 2011

I live in Florida. It seems that whenever I read something unusual-it can be a story here at this site or something unusual at legal law sites etc. or even unusual stories in the newspaper. It seems that 90% of the time that it happened in Florida. For some reason, when I read your first sentence about a bounced paycheck my first thought was "She must live in Florida." I have lived here in Florida less than 2 years and things are different here in Florida compared to other states.

carwin · Apr 15, 2011

I knew just knew you were in fla or southeastern michigan. These are two areas that are overrun with home health agencies. Cash flow can be a little goofy at times in home care. I've been at well established agencies and had that happen but they been able to move money around to meet payroll or cover you the same day. You really should look for another place because of 1, you are in fla and 2. If they can't get money in a day or so, it's only going to get worse. The economy is bad , lines of credit are hard to come by and these younger agencies are often started by engineers who started the company with their Ford or GM buyout money. Good luck to you

caliotter3 · Apr 15, 2011

This used to happen with more than one LTC facility where I used to live. Best thing you can do is to find a more solvent employer and warn anyone who is thinking of going with them.

radrook · Apr 15, 2011

Yeah, of course I am looking, but worried now, about my next paycheck that is due. I am just appauled (sp?) that this is not a federal crime and they are not being held responsible for this. A business should NOT BE allowed to do this to employees! We are ALL having hard times in this economy and all one paycheck away from loosing a home, a car, etc.... This should be stopped because I found out that last pay period 10 of thier checks bounced!

Isabelle49 · Apr 16, 2011

OMG what agency do you work for?

An agency I worked for made loans to cover payroll. How strange. Never had a bounced check though.

Run from them as fast as you can. I work for an agency that has many branches in Florida. Thely are, Senior Home Care - I hope there are offices in your area - I think they are very stable, they've owned the company I work for for over 5 years and never a problem with finances. Please keep us posted.

CabanaDay · Apr 16, 2011

I am just appalled that this is not a federal crime and they are not being held responsible for this.

It is a Federal Crime and *you* need to hold them responsible. The biggest mistake people make is allowing the employer to get away with promises of pay instead of paying. It just strings along the employers ability to do this (floating checks). Immediately notify the employer in writing of unpaid minimum wages (the crime) and/or unpaid wages. A sample letter is at FloridaWageLaw.com and your next step is US Dept. Of Labor Wage & Hour Division. And contact AHCA. They can't keep their license if not financially solvent.

radrook · Apr 16, 2011

Thanks, and I never thought about ACHA, I wonder if they would come check it out? But yes, next paycheck is this week, so I deff will let you guys know. I am holding my breath until then. And yes, Senior Home Care is big here and wonderful rep. I am looking around and hope to not hold my breath any more!

CabanaDay · Apr 17, 2011

Thanks, and I never thought about AHCA, I wonder if they would come check it out?

Ermm... uhhh... YES. Bouncing paychecks is mega-serious. When it gets to this point an Agency is often already doing things like saving money by rinsing off then reboxing PPE, watering down the soap, not staffing telephone lines 24/7, not doing adequate record-keeping, the list goes on.

And I want those Agencies closed down. Because it makes it harder for those of us busting butt to do the right thing (like pay people on time) to compete.

carwin · Apr 17, 2011

The accrediting bodies charge for their services. Why would they come out and risk not getting paid? Many people do not know that the agencies pay for those surveys. Those surveys are a few thousand dollars even if the census is around 15 patients.

Notify your state home health hotline. If you have to report them. It's no crime in being broke. My most timely pay including direct deposit was from an agency that I found was making up visits. I quit.

You see the obvious. Why not just stop accepting patients from them? At some point, they won't be able make your check good. I don't know what you keep up with outside of seeing patients as far as the home health industry goes but this industry is undergoing big changes. Many of these changes are some that will close the smaller agencies. The recovery audit contractors' audits can take money back if the documentation from field staff does not follow the care plan. Agencies have shutdown real fast due to those audits. I hope there are other options.

By the time payroll is affected, things are bad. That means that there is no line of credit securing the agency. An owner knows people won't work if they aren't paid. Good luck to you. I hope there are several options for you.