Aw jeez, Ann. I'm p-partying with you hon. It's the worst time of year for something like this to happen, but I just feel you'll be okay.

So come sit and have a glass of wine and we'll talk about what an a$$ that boss is. I'm sure many others will come over and we'll get this all hashed out.

I'm really sorry, Ann.

Oh, Ann! I'm so sorry! I wish I could be of some help. Can you contact any assistance programs? call someone from the city, or county and they might be able to point you in the right direction. do you think the new owners would be responsible for all outstanding debts...?

I would contact the state Labor Relations Board. I would think the employees must be paid either from the old or new owners. Businesses receive stiff fines if employees are not paid in a timely fashion.

This didn't happen overnight, certainly not in the one day you weren't there. It takes months to get a business sale organized. The guy is a total scum for not warning you ahead of time.

There are a number of things you can do. Call your utility company and get the applications for hardship grants to help pay your utility bill. Most churches will give you a bag of groceries, if you call on them. Or you might try calling the local food bank. First thing tomorrow morning start making calls to eliminate all but the most necessary bills (cancel the cable and internet, ditch the cell phone, stop the newspaper, etc). Those things are nice, but not needed if money is tight.

Collect stuff around the house that you don't need, and/or ride around on trash night and pick up useable items (clean and refurbish them) then go to the local flea market on the weekend. I know one guy who did that when he was out of work, and he eventually worked up to owning the area's most prestigious antique shop!

Do you have a skill others will pay for? Could you make and sell cookie dough to working mom's who want to bake up holiday cookies? Do grocery shopping for seniors in the local senior apt, who can't get out? Babysit? There are so many little jobs like that in most neighborhoods. How about delivering newspapers? they always seem to need folks for that. Could you substitute teach? if you don't have enough qualifications for public school, how about checking some of the private schools, or nursery schools in your area. Around here, subbing (public school) pays $60-80 or so a day.

For the longterm, have you considered heading back to school and taking up a major that you can do as an apprentice? That way, you could be working in your field, getting training and getting paid while doing it. A lot of para-professional careers like paralegal, optician, etc, can be done on the apprenticeship tract. Unemployment used to help with school costs for retraining--don't know if they still do that or not.

If worse comes to worse, go out and collect cans along the side of the road.

I haven't had a 'real' (as in full-time, year-round) job in over 25 years, but I've always found a way to add a significant amount of money to the family budget. It's out there, for the taking--you just have to be creative and find a way to get your hands on some of it.

Good luck--hang in there, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Call Wage and Hour in your area. This falls under their jurisdiction and responsibilities. They can collect the money for you provided they can find him, or they will find out if the new owners assumed all the debts.

Also, call your mortgage company and as for a moretorium on your lawn. They can also push a few payments to the back of the loan.

Good luck and I'm sorry this happened.

Also, call your mortgage company and as for a moretorium on your lawn.

Huh??? LOL
I meant to say
Also, call your mortgage company and ask for a moratorium on your loan.

LOL! A moretorium on your lawn sounds like a graveyard.

Ann, I'm so sorry to hear this.

Aw geez Ann I am sorry about your job especially at this time of year.

I don't have any advice to offer you but I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and wishing you the best.

Anne

I would contact the new owners and see if I still had a job. They might want you to continue for awhile at least. Tell them about your paychecks and maybe they can help. It is worth a shot.

Go to a temp service pronto... I bet there may be many companies that are hiring extra help this month and it may lead to a permanent job too. Good luck.

At this point, I'm not sure I would exhaust too much effort in getting your money from your past employer. I would bet his list of debtors is huge. Of course, file any paperwork needed to try to get your money due.. I just wouldn't expect to get any of it in time for the holidays.

You just may have to use those credit cards to tie you over for a while. At least it sounds like you don't have a lot fo built up debt already. Good luck.

File for U/C asap, it can take a few weeks to get the claim going so start it now. And I would see how to go after your employer to get the back pay, even if he has other debts employee pay goes to the top of the list. if he was in financial trouble you might want to check with the IRS and SS to make sure he was making the quarterly payments.

I would also follow the advice above, get as much help and assistance as you can, you've worked for it and deserve a hand-up, then regroup and take back your life.

What about the wife?? Did they own the business together?? Divorced or not, she is still 50 % responsible.
Maybe you could talk to her.
Good luck.
Rita

So sorry to hear this. I know it doesn't seem like it but they say when one door closes, another will open. It had to be stressful for you working there with this situation. Apply even for temp xmas help at every store around-maybe you will get lucky.. Any money will help.

Bestlawn - I liked your first version better.

Azzalea - All of those are wonderful and constructive suggestions. They give all of us hope that we could handle any situation with a little knowledge and imagination.

Ann - Everyone here is giving great advise which I can't improve on but it has certainly helped me realize that I can weather a storm if necessary. So, take what you can use and turn this pity party into a triumph!!!

The temp service is a good idea. I did that years ago between jobs and it led to another permanent position better than the one I had before.

But, by all means, report this to Wage & Hour. If he sold the business, then employees have to be paid out of the proceeds or the successor has to honor the obligations as he/she/they are buying the assets AND liablities of the sellor.

WOW, life just isn't fair sometimes....You've really gotten some good advice...I'd call all the utilities and your mortgage company and explain what has happened...Most of these companies will work with you...Also, take any assistance you can...It's out there, just have to find it...I'd also talk to the new owners, they probably need someone with your experience.....Good luck, sending all good thoughts.....

I am so sorry.
Frankly, I would not immediately cancel internest service - that is how most jobs are found these days.

I don't know how it is in your neck of the woods, or if you are a pet person, but around here, all the kennels are full and lots of people need petsitters for the holidays. You'd be surprised what people are willing to pay. Also, many folks would rather someone come to the house, than to board the animals.

I agree with Gardenspice! We need someone right after Christmas. I'd pay well to have someone come to my house instead of boarding our dog and I'm sure others would too.

Blessings,
Haley

I'd call every Non-Profit Organization that helps in these situations.

My Organization I worked for helped pay bills for people in a temporary situation.

I'm saying prayers for you.

Take Care,

Gayle

Your state's labor department is a good place to start in terms of back compensation.

I agree that you should check w/ the new company; point out that your efforts are part of why there was any value to the thing they bought!

And temp agencies as well.

Best of luck!

(((Ann))) ~ any advice I would give you has already been given. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. It seems very unfair. I wish you the best and will remember you in my prayers.

Linda

Hey Ann- something very similar happened to me and I found myself unemployed the first week of december.

Try to look at this as an opportunity for change. Office management skills can be applied to a wide variety of fields. It is important to keep positive. You have skills that are valuable and in demand.

Pull out your address book and start making calls. Speak to everyone you meet- dont forget civic clubs, the church an any trade organizations that you have dealt with. Let folks know that you are looking for work. You never know where an offer may come from. Be as proactive as you possibly can.

December is a slow time, use that time to update your resume. Work through different job search engines and see what jobs are out there. Even if a job is an old listing, call anyway. Sometimes the jobs are still open. Consider cold calls to different companies, especially any company you have dealt with through the business.

Consider a temp agency that can get you back to work fast.

Surround yourself with positive people. Remember this is a temporary situation/challange. You will get though this.

Ann, you have already been given lots of really good advice, so I just want you to know that I will keep you in my prayers.
((((Annn))))
Tammy

ann, i pray that life will get better for you and your family

Such a mean thing to do, sell the business and not even tell you. He should have told you and tried to get the new owner to keep you on as a condition of the sale. And right at the Holiday Season, too! I am so sorry . Keep your chin up, consider filing for unemployment. And it's not your fault. He soumds like a jerk! Remember, what goes around comes around, as you sew, so shall you reap.

Ann,
Everyone else had such wonderful suggestions. All I can add is a hug and a prayer. Please trust that this situation will pass.

Ann,
Florida dismantled their Department of Labor since 2000 - go to MyFlorida.com and search for info on the various departments that might be able to help. The best I could come up with is:
Agency for Workforce Innovation
Filing for unemployment? Looking for information on skills development? Visit this agency for information on welfare transition, workforce information services and labor market information.

I'll try to call a friend that works in Unemployment tomorrow and see if she knows who to go to to track down unpaid wages.

Oh! Department of State, Division of Corporations would have info on any corporations or businesses using fictitious names: Document Searches That might help you track down the owners of the company that purchased the business where you were working to see if they took on the debts of the old one.

Ann,

I'm really sorry to hear of your troubles.

Do you have a list of all of your friends and acquaintances made over the years, relatives, school friends, colleagues from work, sport, community, religious and other connections, etc.?

Email addresses and phone numbers?

Send out a general message letting them know of your skills and experience and that you are looking for a situation.

Good wishes for getting your back pay.

I hope that you can get some unemployment insurance, as well. But that usually takes a while to come through ... around here, anyway.

I hope that things work out much better than you're worried that they might.

ole joyful

WOW, GREAT advice everyone. I will copy this thread to my daughter, which always seems to have a hard time finding something to do. :)

Ann, don't overlook craigslist.org They offer jobs there too.

Good luck in whatever happens!

Moni

Ann, you need a (((((((BIG HUG)))))))).

I thought it happened to me only. 7 yrs. ago, I went through almost the same thing. I was also office manager and +++++ duties. I was so devasted when found out that the owner, my boss, disappeared. His family couldn't even find him. He got into drugs & alcohol and hopped from one motel to another so we couldn't tracked him down. Then, he was using company money on his hotel living & drugs & alcohol. The bank account would be empty as soon as I deposited some checks that we collect for the business.

When we were able to track him down, he would signed several checks and disappeared again. After a couple of times, his brother got smart and had him signed several blank checks before he did the disappearing act again.

I got smart and as soon as I collected some money for the company, I'd deposit them and cashed my paycheck at the same time before it went empty.

Not only I had to take care of the business but his family too! I had to comfort his wife and took her to take care of business. He normally took care of financial things so his wife had no clue what to do, even paying a bill!

After several months, he finally went to rehab and got back with the company. While, he was at rehab, I went to look for another job. Fortunately, I found another job just in time of him getting back with the business. I later found out that I was hired due to my reputation of holding up the company until the owner got back.

It was 4 months of hell so I understand what you're going through!

If your husband is disabled and you're paying mortgage, you may want to checkout the link below to see if there's any assistant that could help you.

I've read somewhere about reverse mortgage that you may want to check out too. Here's a link that is for Houston but it explains what it is: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/rmtopten.cfm
You may want to do a Google search and see if there's one for your area.

Also, does your county have a disability homestead for your residential property tax? I'm disabled and live in Houston. We have that discount for disabled homeowner which cuts my tax in 1/2 just about.

If I find anything else, I'll let you know. Wish you lots of love and kindness toward this rough season and the new year coming.

Here is a link that might be useful: Disability Info.

Florida has dismantled nearly all of their programs. My friend in Unemployment says your unemployment should start sooner than four weeks. She also suggests going to Salvation Army for temporary assistance to carry you through.

Federal Department of Labor Wage & Hours
1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243)
TTY: 1-877-889-5627
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Good Luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: U.S. Department of Labor - The Wage and Hour Division

Thanks so much for all of your support!!! It makes me feel so good to know there are so many caring people!!! I did find out that I have been approved for unemployment and that eases my fears a wee little bit. It seems all of the programs here in Florida that can help have been pretty well "tapped out" as there are so many economic issues going on here right now. I know that this is a good test of my faith and I will come through this. I haven't lived for all these years just to let something like this get me down!!!