Stuck and out of luck. New innkeeping job making $16 a day. Live-in position. Help!!!!

[Madeleine]

Thank you everyone. I do agree with the cheap labor part. The other lady who works here got her paycheck cut in half as soon as I started working and before she got this job, she was living in a homeless camp. They pretty much gave me the job on the spot without much of an interview. I do make tips, but I do not believe they are reported. I also don't think I will be getting tax returns from this job either. I was just looking for a little bit more info and advice to help me out when I do actually get to talk to them in 2 weeks when they get back from vacation. I shouldn't have mentioned my age. The response would have been different. Thanks anyway though. Lots of good pointers..

Thank you everyone. I do agree with the cheap labor part. The other lady who works here got her paycheck cut in half as soon as I started working and before she got this job, she was living in a homeless camp. They pretty much gave me the job on the spot without much of an interview. I do make tips, but I do not believe they are reported. I also don't think I will be getting tax returns from this job either. I was just looking for a little bit more info and advice to help me out when I do actually get to talk to them in 2 weeks when they get back from vacation. I shouldn't have mentioned my age. The response would have been different. Thanks anyway though. Lots of good pointers.

ashtreemeadow ... it DOES matter your age ... to me, anyway. unless you have a child or children or are responsible for someone else, you have more freedom to leave this position as soon as you find a better one. give your notice and then go.
i had children very young and totally understand the feeling of entrapment, as soon as you have to provide for another person, your options are fewer.
you do not have to stay there forever ... if you are willing to relocate. think of this job as a learning experience, temporary. i am working now in two jobs i consider temporary because this will not be my life two years from now. i still stronlgy advise you to seek out something else while you are employed.
please be very careful about taxes. you have not said but i suspect you are being paid under the table since you don't think you will be getting a w2. i still think TIPS estimated are the way these folks are going to justify paying you a low hourly wage.
you know this arrangement could bite you, as madeline said ... because the way around the employer paying worker's comp is to claim you are an independent contractor and have your own insurance. IF anyone finds out you work there. i suspect it's all being done with no taxes taken out, undeclared by anyone. sounds like a deal because you take home all the money ... however small ... but you have no protections either ... no way to claim unemployment if the job goes away because there is no record of your employment, no contribution to social security (although some would say this is a good thing). no way to claim unfair wages are being paid, that you're not getting overtime, etc. because you aren't officially an employee. as soon as you earn $600 , any independent contractor is supposed to be reported on that business' tax return using 1099 misc forms. also, the irs knows darn well when someone is an employee not an independent contractor, especially if they are living on site
okay ... i could go on and on here ... you can tell i don't like it
.

This is where I'm confused. They had me fill out a w-4, and I always claim 0. So I am not sure why it doesn't say how much is being withheld on my paycheck. My employers have not shown me any proof of deductions for rent either.
Also, as I have been worried to mention, as it did not seem appropriate or relevant, I an actually expecting right now. Yup, I just found I am pregnant. So 5,400 a year is definitely.... Well... Not sufficient if I am trying to save for a bundle of joy.... Stressful situation...
.

When I ask about my pay, should I tell them I am expecting? Or should I wait a while? I'm worried they would fire me.
.

When I ask about my pay, should I tell them I am expecting? Or should I wait a while? I'm worried they would fire me.

I hate to say it but quite a lot of employers, working against federal job discrimination laws, find lots of ways to get pregnant workers to quit.
Do you think you can stay in this job at 9 months' pregnant? Raise a child on the job? Is baby daddy going to support the child or are you on the street without a prayer once the little one comes along?
Lots to think about.
.

I feel like I could bear it out until probably about 8 and a half months. Luckily, the father and I have been together 2 years and have seen many trials that have only helped to bring us closer. He is quite a bit older than me and has a lot more financial stability. I would definitely not be able to work here when I have the kid, so I would need to find another job, probably part time so I don't have to be away from him too long. My boyfriend is possibly getting a job through a family member as an electrician starting at $20 an hr, gas paid, overtime and benefits. It is a big company so he would get lots of work. I am happy that there is opportunity on his side of the fence! So that part is all worked out for now.
hopefully something good opens up for me at some point! Just gotta put my nose to the grindstone I guess.
.

Boy, I hate that I am going to sound like I'm your grandmother or something but how about getting married?
You know, you and the bf move in together, build a future for all of you.
Maybe then your position is more secure and you get a better job than this one.
BTW, been there, done that and it's not easy being a single mom. See if the two of you can work something out.

 

[Madeleine]

Thank you everyone. I do agree with the cheap labor part. The other lady who works here got her paycheck cut in half as soon as I started working and before she got this job, she was living in a homeless camp. They pretty much gave me the job on the spot without much of an interview. I do make tips, but I do not believe they are reported. I also don't think I will be getting tax returns from this job either. I was just looking for a little bit more info and advice to help me out when I do actually get to talk to them in 2 weeks when they get back from vacation. I shouldn't have mentioned my age. The response would have been different. Thanks anyway though. Lots of good pointers..

Thank you everyone. I do agree with the cheap labor part. The other lady who works here got her paycheck cut in half as soon as I started working and before she got this job, she was living in a homeless camp. They pretty much gave me the job on the spot without much of an interview. I do make tips, but I do not believe they are reported. I also don't think I will be getting tax returns from this job either. I was just looking for a little bit more info and advice to help me out when I do actually get to talk to them in 2 weeks when they get back from vacation. I shouldn't have mentioned my age. The response would have been different. Thanks anyway though. Lots of good pointers.

ashtreemeadow ... it DOES matter your age ... to me, anyway. unless you have a child or children or are responsible for someone else, you have more freedom to leave this position as soon as you find a better one. give your notice and then go.
i had children very young and totally understand the feeling of entrapment, as soon as you have to provide for another person, your options are fewer.
you do not have to stay there forever ... if you are willing to relocate. think of this job as a learning experience, temporary. i am working now in two jobs i consider temporary because this will not be my life two years from now. i still stronlgy advise you to seek out something else while you are employed.
please be very careful about taxes. you have not said but i suspect you are being paid under the table since you don't think you will be getting a w2. i still think TIPS estimated are the way these folks are going to justify paying you a low hourly wage.
you know this arrangement could bite you, as madeline said ... because the way around the employer paying worker's comp is to claim you are an independent contractor and have your own insurance. IF anyone finds out you work there. i suspect it's all being done with no taxes taken out, undeclared by anyone. sounds like a deal because you take home all the money ... however small ... but you have no protections either ... no way to claim unemployment if the job goes away because there is no record of your employment, no contribution to social security (although some would say this is a good thing). no way to claim unfair wages are being paid, that you're not getting overtime, etc. because you aren't officially an employee. as soon as you earn $600 , any independent contractor is supposed to be reported on that business' tax return using 1099 misc forms. also, the irs knows darn well when someone is an employee not an independent contractor, especially if they are living on site
okay ... i could go on and on here ... you can tell i don't like it
.

This is where I'm confused. They had me fill out a w-4, and I always claim 0. So I am not sure why it doesn't say how much is being withheld on my paycheck. My employers have not shown me any proof of deductions for rent either.
Also, as I have been worried to mention, as it did not seem appropriate or relevant, I an actually expecting right now. Yup, I just found I am pregnant. So 5,400 a year is definitely.... Well... Not sufficient if I am trying to save for a bundle of joy.... Stressful situation...
.

When I ask about my pay, should I tell them I am expecting? Or should I wait a while? I'm worried they would fire me.
.

When I ask about my pay, should I tell them I am expecting? Or should I wait a while? I'm worried they would fire me.

I hate to say it but quite a lot of employers, working against federal job discrimination laws, find lots of ways to get pregnant workers to quit.
Do you think you can stay in this job at 9 months' pregnant? Raise a child on the job? Is baby daddy going to support the child or are you on the street without a prayer once the little one comes along?
Lots to think about.
.

I feel like I could bear it out until probably about 8 and a half months. Luckily, the father and I have been together 2 years and have seen many trials that have only helped to bring us closer. He is quite a bit older than me and has a lot more financial stability. I would definitely not be able to work here when I have the kid, so I would need to find another job, probably part time so I don't have to be away from him too long. My boyfriend is possibly getting a job through a family member as an electrician starting at $20 an hr, gas paid, overtime and benefits. It is a big company so he would get lots of work. I am happy that there is opportunity on his side of the fence! So that part is all worked out for now.
hopefully something good opens up for me at some point! Just gotta put my nose to the grindstone I guess.
.

Boy, I hate that I am going to sound like I'm your grandmother or something but how about getting married?
You know, you and the bf move in together, build a future for all of you.
Maybe then your position is more secure and you get a better job than this one.
BTW, been there, done that and it's not easy being a single mom. See if the two of you can work something out.

 

[user 26]

another great reason to quit smoking ...

 

[Ashtreemeadow]

Thank you everyone. I do agree with the cheap labor part. The other lady who works here got her paycheck cut in half as soon as I started working and before she got this job, she was living in a homeless camp. They pretty much gave me the job on the spot without much of an interview. I do make tips, but I do not believe they are reported. I also don't think I will be getting tax returns from this job either. I was just looking for a little bit more info and advice to help me out when I do actually get to talk to them in 2 weeks when they get back from vacation. I shouldn't have mentioned my age. The response would have been different. Thanks anyway though. Lots of good pointers..

Thank you everyone. I do agree with the cheap labor part. The other lady who works here got her paycheck cut in half as soon as I started working and before she got this job, she was living in a homeless camp. They pretty much gave me the job on the spot without much of an interview. I do make tips, but I do not believe they are reported. I also don't think I will be getting tax returns from this job either. I was just looking for a little bit more info and advice to help me out when I do actually get to talk to them in 2 weeks when they get back from vacation. I shouldn't have mentioned my age. The response would have been different. Thanks anyway though. Lots of good pointers.

ashtreemeadow ... it DOES matter your age ... to me, anyway. unless you have a child or children or are responsible for someone else, you have more freedom to leave this position as soon as you find a better one. give your notice and then go.
i had children very young and totally understand the feeling of entrapment, as soon as you have to provide for another person, your options are fewer.
you do not have to stay there forever ... if you are willing to relocate. think of this job as a learning experience, temporary. i am working now in two jobs i consider temporary because this will not be my life two years from now. i still stronlgy advise you to seek out something else while you are employed.
please be very careful about taxes. you have not said but i suspect you are being paid under the table since you don't think you will be getting a w2. i still think TIPS estimated are the way these folks are going to justify paying you a low hourly wage.
you know this arrangement could bite you, as madeline said ... because the way around the employer paying worker's comp is to claim you are an independent contractor and have your own insurance. IF anyone finds out you work there. i suspect it's all being done with no taxes taken out, undeclared by anyone. sounds like a deal because you take home all the money ... however small ... but you have no protections either ... no way to claim unemployment if the job goes away because there is no record of your employment, no contribution to social security (although some would say this is a good thing). no way to claim unfair wages are being paid, that you're not getting overtime, etc. because you aren't officially an employee. as soon as you earn $600 , any independent contractor is supposed to be reported on that business' tax return using 1099 misc forms. also, the irs knows darn well when someone is an employee not an independent contractor, especially if they are living on site
okay ... i could go on and on here ... you can tell i don't like it
.

This is where I'm confused. They had me fill out a w-4, and I always claim 0. So I am not sure why it doesn't say how much is being withheld on my paycheck. My employers have not shown me any proof of deductions for rent either.
Also, as I have been worried to mention, as it did not seem appropriate or relevant, I an actually expecting right now. Yup, I just found I am pregnant. So 5,400 a year is definitely.... Well... Not sufficient if I am trying to save for a bundle of joy.... Stressful situation...
.

When I ask about my pay, should I tell them I am expecting? Or should I wait a while? I'm worried they would fire me.
.

When I ask about my pay, should I tell them I am expecting? Or should I wait a while? I'm worried they would fire me.

I hate to say it but quite a lot of employers, working against federal job discrimination laws, find lots of ways to get pregnant workers to quit.
Do you think you can stay in this job at 9 months' pregnant? Raise a child on the job? Is baby daddy going to support the child or are you on the street without a prayer once the little one comes along?
Lots to think about.
.

I feel like I could bear it out until probably about 8 and a half months. Luckily, the father and I have been together 2 years and have seen many trials that have only helped to bring us closer. He is quite a bit older than me and has a lot more financial stability. I would definitely not be able to work here when I have the kid, so I would need to find another job, probably part time so I don't have to be away from him too long. My boyfriend is possibly getting a job through a family member as an electrician starting at $20 an hr, gas paid, overtime and benefits. It is a big company so he would get lots of work. I am happy that there is opportunity on his side of the fence! So that part is all worked out for now.
hopefully something good opens up for me at some point! Just gotta put my nose to the grindstone I guess.
.

Boy, I hate that I am going to sound like I'm your grandmother or something but how about getting married?
You know, you and the bf move in together, build a future for all of you.
Maybe then your position is more secure and you get a better job than this one.
BTW, been there, done that and it's not easy being a single mom. See if the two of you can work something out.
.

Definitely. I'm sure we will. Thank you Madeline, you have been very helpful!

 

[wendy.white]

The federal fair labor and standards act applies to all employees. You are entitled to be paid for all hours actually worked at no less than the minimum wage. If you agreed to accept room and board as part of your compensation then a deduction from your wages can be made for the reasonable value of room and board. Your employer should maintain records of that agreement and the cost of providing room and board to you. An employee may be exempt from overtime wages if they are salaried as long as the salary (including room and board) is $455 per every two week period or more and their primary duties are "management". However, even salaried employees can receive overtime if they are regularly expected to work more than 40 hours per week.
Tips can also be included in the calculation of your wages to determine if you are receiving at least minimum wage.
The big question for you will be whether the fact that you are required to stay on site for a certain number of hours per day constitutes "work performed". It does sound preliminarily that the federal fair labor act is being violated. I would suggest you contact the Department of Labor in California and give them all of the details. The result could be that your employer decides to eliminate your job and just use one person at a salary of $24,000 per year, or less.