Company Closes - worker not paid

spendingmad

Hi All

I am after some help and advice.

I have been working as a dog walker for a ltd company since January this year. On various occasions 'wages' or monies due have been late and in mid october I received an email stating that the company was closing on the 31st October.

The clients whom I walk the dogs for have told me they had been emailed asking for outstanding invoices to be paid into the company directors personal account as there were problems with the business bank account. A couple of clients then paid me directly which I informed the company director and told her to deduct said monies from Octobers earnings. I am left with around £200 outstanding which as not been paid (should have been paid 4th November)

Other walkers (whom are employed, but payslips are had never been given) are also owed money - some as much as £800.

I, and the other ex employees, have tried to contact business owner, but calls are unanswered and emails, texts and other messages are ignored.

I do not believe the company has gone bankrupt, just the accounts emptied and the company closed.

Where do I and the other employees stand? (I am aware I may have less rights as a worker than as a employee) and how is the best way to try and get the money paid?

monty-doggy

Were you a casual worker or did you pay tax/NI via employer and did you have a contract?

spendingmad

I was classed as casual worker, as I am also self employed with my own business so it was easier for me to sort my own tax/ni out. I can invoice her for the work carried out in October if it will help.

I had no contract. I have got proof of hours worked via a third party online database which scheduled work.

The 2 other girls were employed, with contracts, but never received payslips nor P45

monty-doggy

If they never had payslips it sounds like they were not through the books as such.
I'd send a letter before action threatening small claims court, this may be enough to scare them into paying but if it goes to small claims you'll need concrete proof that you are owed the money.

Good luck.