labor law violations? (employee, owner, paycheck, job)

[first or last]

Hello

I writing to get some feedback on what I think are some labor law violations at my workplace. I've worked for about 3 years and a small family owned pizza shop ( 6 total employee's) as a tipped employee making less than minimum wage. About 2 years ago my boss started paying me under the table by giving me most of my check in cash and the rest as a paycheck. I never really wanted to be paid under the table. I make so little money I get all my taxes back at the end of the year anyway. The only person this benefits is him. Recently the main cook there quit. Instead of hiring ad paying someone else to replace him, the owner decided to pass his responibilities onto the drivers who are making less than minimum wage. As a result I'm spending about 20 of the 30 hours a week I work doing prep work and cooking at less than minimum wage. Everytime I try to talk to him about this he blows me off or tells me to find a new job if I don't like it. The last time I tried talk to him about it he cut me weekly hours in half.

I know the department of labor would be interested in the fact I'm being paid under the table but would they be able to do anything about the other part? Would this be something that's worth pursuing? I know that I'll be fired as soon as I report this, but quite frankly I don't want to work for someone who uses these kind of shady business practices. Thank you for reading this and I look forward to your opinions.

[NorthStarDelight]

Originally Posted by first or last

Hello

I writing to get some feedback on what I think are some labor law violations at my workplace. I've worked for about 3 years and a small family owned pizza shop ( 6 total employee's) as a tipped employee making less than minimum wage. About 2 years ago my boss started paying me under the table by giving me most of my check in cash and the rest as a paycheck. I never really wanted to be paid under the table. I make so little money I get all my taxes back at the end of the year anyway. The only person this benefits is him. Recently the main cook there quit. Instead of hiring ad paying someone else to replace him, the owner decided to pass his responibilities onto the drivers who are making less than minimum wage. As a result I'm spending about 20 of the 30 hours a week I work doing prep work and cooking at less than minimum wage. Everytime I try to talk to him about this he blows me off or tells me to find a new job if I don't like it. The last time I tried talk to him about it he cut me weekly hours in half.

I know the department of labor would be interested in the fact I'm being paid under the table but would they be able to do anything about the other part? Would this be something that's worth pursuing? I know that I'll be fired as soon as I report this, but quite frankly I don't want to work for someone who uses these kind of shady business practices. Thank you for reading this and I look forward to your opinions.

Sounds like a real douchbag of a boss. I'd start looking for a new job *immediately*, and when you've landed a new job and are ready to start, just walk out of the old job - don't give him any warning or anything - just throw down your apron and walk out, preferably in the middle of peak serving hour - see how the man likes the taste of his own karma...LOL.

[Billy_J]

I would suggest you consult with an attorney before you do anything.