Ok, i'll explain what i did (job) and what happened exactly.

I work in a bowling centre that has a proshop, i was originally hired under a verbal agreement with the owner of the centre that i recieve 15% commissions on all Ten pin balls sold, and 10% on shoes and duckpin products.

And i have been there about 10 months now, i was finally paid for the proshop only a second time about a month ago. and i only recieved a quarter of what i was expecting in salary.

I didn't say anything because they had all of my reciepts and sheets. i didn't recieve a sheet in return explaining why i was only getting a fraction of what i was expecting. now, up today, i hadn't said anything but i knew something was wrong. One of the new assistant managers( he was advanced over me, even tho i have been there longer) accidentally let it slip that he knew i was no longer getting my 10% commissions on shoes and small balls. he did this because i was making a bill on his computer and he put it under my name.

so i looked at him and said what? how do you know what i am making? and how come it was changed?? The manager returned to the front a few minutes after and i confronted her in front of her office.

i said to her " why was my proshop deal changed? and why was i never told?" i was quite pissed off at this momment.she said oh yeah i forgot to tell you the owner decieded to stop paying you for certain things.
when she said this i almost errupted in a fit of rage, because this was totally unfair, i had done my job and he decieded to change the terms in which i agreed to work upon.


k a recap of what they have done to screw me over.
-Never told me that the proshop deal and percentages were being changed.
-he only decided to change them after he realized how much he had to pay me for the proshop.
-they had a month to atleast tell me they had payed me less than i was supposed to get.


So i did the only thing i could, yelled and got very pissed off and demanded the owner call the office now. she claimed that she didn't know if he was there. as i was walking out his SUV was still in the parking lot. She said she knew my proshop deal was changed. she had " forgotten to tell me" because when i came to pick up my money for the proshop she wasn't there.

so i walked out and said i am not working here another shift at the control desk or doing anything in the proshop until the owner calls and tells me why i am recieving less money. he has no reason stop paying at the agreed rate.

my present recourse is going to the labour relations board. but i don't have a writen contract for the proshop and, the only other time i had been paid it was in cash.

so i'm unemployeed, and very angry. the first person i called was my friend and coach, he's got a lawyer, and then the second person i called was my parents and they understood when i explained it. the thrid person i called was my old boss, who helped find me the job and ask him what he thinks i should do. they all agreed that this was wrong and i did the right thing by quitting.

any one else to help out?

--------------------
I am Canadian Dude!

Edited on 10/29/2003 2:51 AM

tim bro, that truly sucks.

Was it your old boss that you made the deal with? If so get lawyers involved, get him to testify. From my limited knowledge of the law (someone please correct me, i may be wrong), to voice record a conversation only 1 party of the conversation needs to know its happening. So if you can get a voice recording of someone admitting that they 'forgot' to tell you, then it should hold up in court. You worked for your money, you are entitled to it, and maybe a smidge more for your troubles give it a go, dont let the corporation shaft the little guy once again.

good luck and high scoring
matt

p.s: if you talk to them, tell them that your connection from australia sais... i cant type it here, talk to me on msn...

Verbal contracts are extremely difficult to enforce. As an employee without a written contract, you are subject to the whims of the boss, whose inclination is to do things for his benefit. "His benefit" can be quite extreme in many cases. I think you've been lucky to get anything to date. I guess the Pro Shop is now established and making good money and there is no legal reason for the owner to give you anything more than an hourly wage.  

FYI This is not how I feel; I feel you got screwed, but it's your own fault.
You should even put into writing business arrangements with friends and relatives. If it's not in writing, in contractual form, with the appropriate signatures, then your only legal recourse will be based not only on what other people witnessed the owner telling you and agreeing to, BUT ALSO on their willingness to testify for you. If their jobs are at stake (as he will probably tell them), do you think they will testify in court on your behalf or on his?

Well lol it was the manager who knew my working arangements, and other employees of the bowling centre knew my deal as well. i worked about 35 -40 at the front desk on an hourly wage and then if i was needed i had to stay to serve customers at the proshop only for the comissions. i know i sort of shot myself in the foot by quitting, but i didn't have a choice and i was against a wall( i felt so) at the momment. But good news lol less than 24 hrs later i have already been called for another job. working night shift at a local toys r us. I often worked the night shift at the bowling centre at the control desk, because it is open 24/7. so many times i would have to come in early that evening at say 6pm and then have to work until 8 am the following morning. and only be paid for 10 hours that i was on the punch at the control desk. or i would  have to stay sometimes until 10 or 12 that morning to continue working.but only being paid until 8.30 or 9 am.
--------------------
I am Canadian Dude!