My employer wont pay me. Now what can I do?

[no_bs]

To bad i have been delayed Russell, I'd come give you a hand in some "Legal" pressure. If your still have this issue unresloved by the time i make it up there, we'll talk. Pressence speaks loudly.

[whatcaneyedo]

Thanks for all of the ideas. This gives me something better to start with. Ironically he was a landscaper too. He hired to to take down and re-build a fence, shovel some rock and put together a plastic garden shed. I'll see if I can track down the other two guys I worked with but that might be hard. The home owner and neighbor saw plenty of me so I should be able to get some kind of signed proof from them.

[vs.stephen]

Well, what this employer is done is obviously totally illegal so I would put in a complaint to the Employment Standards Branch. I would also suggest looking into, and joining, a group called the Employee Action & Rights Network (www.earnbc.ca) which exists to educate people on their rights and help people deal with bad bosses like this one!

[Megalodon]

Verbal contracts hold water in small claims court.

It would be your word against his however I bet the judge would tend to side with you. Why would you do 27 hours of work for somebody, and why would he let you do it, if there was never an agreement?

[whatcaneyedo]

I'm trying the Employment Standards system at the moment http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/self-help/start.htm

The other things I've done I did anonymously so I wont repeat them here.

As others have already mentioned Small Claims Court probably wouldn't be worth it because of their fees for such a small amount.

[rkelman]

I agree small claims likely won't work. If he's that kind of person he's been sued before and likely knows the system. Work with the labour board and I'd be calling Revenue Canada. As well I'd be contacting the owners of the properties you worked on as they have a responsibility to make sure the subcontractors are paid. (at least limited responsibility) They will pressure him. Basically do every thing you can to make his life a living hell. I'd start showing up at his house and asking his wife for the money too. If you know the street it can't be that hard to find which house. Do a search on Canada411. Good luck. If you don't get your money at least you'll make him pay in other ways.