Dear Queenie,
I’ve been doing some yard work and other stuff for one of our neighbors. When she asked me to do the work she said she would pay me but she didn’t say how much and when I was done she said she didn’t have any cash and she’d pay me the next time I came.
But the next time I came she had to go out while I was still working and when I was done she still hadn’t come home and my mother said I couldn’t wait for her because we were going to visit my grandmother and I had to come home and get cleaned up.
I went back the next day but she said she didn’t know how much she owed me because she didn’t know when I went home, and she didn’t say anything about the money she still owed me for the time before.
Queenie, should I still go on working for her? And how do I get the money she already owes me?—Teenager
Dear Teenager,
Sit down with a pencil and a piece of paper and figure out how many hours you worked for this woman each day. If you have any friends who do similar work, ask them how much they get paid. Otherwise, ask your mother how much would be fair pay for the work you did.
Calculate how much she owes you and write it down on a piece of paper. Make two copies; one for you and one to give to the woman. Take this “bill” to the woman and ask her for your money. If she doesn’t agree with your calculations, ask her how much she thinks she owes you and write it down. Have her sign it for you, if you can persuade her to do so.
Then explain to her that you will not do any more work for her until she pays you for what you have done already. If she still won’t pay you, ask your parents to speak to her. If she still won’t pay and you are willing to take it so far, you could even ask the police to intervene on your behalf, but be aware that this would probably cause hard feelings.
Do not do any more work for this woman until she pays you what she owes. She is cheating you; there is no other way to say it. And be sure to tell anyone else you may see working in her yard about the problems you have had with her. They should be forewarned about the way she does business.
