Need advise for a neighbor and her now ex employer.

[napi21]

She was living with one of my neighbors and he threw her out 2 weeks ago. She's been sleeping in her car since. She's been looking for a job and a small coffee & bait shop hired her last Monday. She never filled out any paperwork and was told she'd be paid $5.15/hr until she was trained and then $8.00/hr. She was doing all the shit work and although she only worked 4 days,3 of those days were over 8 hrs. The owner was a real ass, and she was getting concerned about when she would be paid etc. While she was working he made unwanted advances and gutter talk to her, to which she told him to back off and called him an evil man. When she went in this AM, she was put on the cash register without any training, and when told to ring up a sale of a bucket of minnows she wasn't told the customer also was purchasing the bucket. The owner caught it, sent his other employee out to the parking lot to get the $$, and she was fired. THEN the owner pulled out a W2 for her to sign and complained because she put the date on it. When she asked for her money, they said "you'll get it sometime next week.

This is Ga. and I looked up the minimum wag, nd for certain menial tasks it's legal to pay $5.15/hr, but I can't find anything stating ot be paid for over 8 hrs a day.

The other problem she has is no place to stay & NO MONEY. I had her go to the welfare dept. the day after she was thrown out, but they can't give her anything because she doesn't have any children or other dependants. The shelters are all full, and the 2 Fairbanks are out of food.

I'm out of ideas! Anyone have any suggestions I could pass along to her?

[bluestate10]

1. Look like you make have to step in the breach and help out.

But first, have a talk with your neighbor and be clear that you are just helping the woman get on her feet, not moving in on her. The move should help you avoid shit from the neighbor.

Second, set an amount of time that she can stay with you until she has a job, her own place, or can move in with family. To throw out a number, say three months.

Third. Keep the relationship as a friend helping a person that is in need.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

2. Call the Dept of Labor .Start with the state then call the federal

DOL if necessary. I doubt if GA mandates daily OT- California does but their labor laws are extremely generous. States do have rules about how long an employee has to wait for a paycheck.

[sofa king]

10. Be sure to start above the local level.

Anyone that slippery already has the local authorities in his pocket. If you tip off someone above them, you might provide a public service by rolling up this chump and the local authorities who are allowing him to act this way.

[napi21]

17. I checked the net & I don't hink there IS any DOL locally.

I got the phone @ and address of the Ga. DOL but it's in Atlanta. I can't believe this toad is big enough to have reaches to Atlanta.

[sofa king]

26. Yes, but that Department likely has a local investigator.

You need to get past that person by making the poop roll downhill.

[northernlights]

27. go straight to the state DOL -- they *will* help

in my experience, immediately. I was stiffed by the owner of several national chain sandwich shops. I gave him one chance to make good and then called the state.

The check was en route same day -- within a couple hours in fact. The state labor guy wasted no time -- they want their tax money, no matter how small.

The state has blown me off numerous times when I was ripped off. This was the one and only time they jumped in. I'm sure it's because if you don't get paid, they don't get paid either.

[jdlh8894]

3. See you're in FB

Call some churches in Gainsville.
Since she has a car she should be able to get to one.
Wish I could be more help.

[napi21]

5. She already did try the local churches that have shelter facilities

and or some food provisions and they're all full.

I have to say, with all the BS I've heard over the years about people on welfare and all those people who are supported by the state, I'm very surprised that there doesn't seem to be any options for this lady. She's not a teenager! She's 47 years old. Her family is in NY and she doen't even have enough money to get back home if she wanted to. Maybe welfare is different here in Ga. I just dont know.

[bobbolink]

6. Now you see the ugly reality.

As bad as the lack of low-income housing and no food is.. what is overlooked all the time is the necessary legal assistance for poor people.

She will have to eat this mess, because the "employer" knows she can't get legal assistance to sue his ugly ass.

[napi21]

13. I think that's the reaso he let her go. She had asked about signing a W2

and when she'd be paid and he'd never give her a stright answer. I think he fired he because he only wants quiet subserviet people working for him..pelple who won't cause any trouble.

[bobbolink]

15. Well, of course. And the fact of the matter is, "progressives" won't do anything to ensure poor

people have the legal assistance needed.

Sapphire Blue tried hard for YEARS on DU to get people to work for low-income housing, but there was no interest.

It has to hit personally before people can GET IT. And people like this woman pay the price of that ignoring of needs of poor people.

[northernlights]

18. welfare is only available to those with children

those responsible only for themselves are thrown onto the streets. That is true in all the states. And with shelters overflowing, even people with children are forced to live in cars and such.

I spent most of my 20s on the brink of homelessness (back during the stagflation of the late 70s). The only recourse for the jobless and penniless is moving in with family or a generous friend, or living in your car if you have one. Also, nowadays, if sufficiently desperate, moving into a foreclosed, abandoned property for a roof over your head.

[napi21]

19. WOW, I never knew that. I guess I fell for the BS that the US

won't let anyone starve. I know now I was wrong.

[bobbolink]

22. Some of us have been saying all of this.

sigh.....

[Keith Bee]

24. And that's fucking shameful!

The richest country on Earth. Thing is, when that boast is made, there's no asterisk noting that the overwhelming majority of that wealth is concentrated in the hands of a very small percentage of the population.

[northernlights]

25. people here don't often die of starvation, instead, they die of

the diseases associated with malnutrition and exposure to cold, before they reach starvation.

[Curmudgeoness]

4. This is one despicable business owner!

He is the kind who preys on the most needy, most susceptible people. I would be concerned that she may never get paid for the days that she did work. This sounds like the type who would do that. I don't know how the law is in GA, but some states allow you to pay straight time as long as it is less than 40 in a week. This is the least of her problems to fight that either way.

It is obvious that this woman has nowhere to go and no one to lean on for help. I know this sounds coldhearted, but tread carefully here. She may have issues that you are not aware of, and it may be hard for you to untangle yourself if you get in too deep. Can you find out what caused the neighbor to throw her out before you proceed? If you can help her with food? I would. I do not know that I would take her into my house without much more information about her. How long would it be before she could get into a shelter? I would prefer to help her find a motel room for a short time than to have her come into my house unless I know her well.

Do what you can to help her out but keep at arm's length.

[napi21]

8. I hear ya. That's mostly the reason I haven't agreed to let her stay here already.

My husband asked if I would agree to let her stay here a while & I said no. It's very easy to be generous, but very difficult to get someone to leave if it;s not working out. We're older (68 & 69) and living on SS, so I really can't give her money. We've given her food items that don't need refrigeration or cooking, albeit not the healthiest diet I assure you. Mostly snack crackers like Lance peanutbutter etc, and a bag of Doritos.

As far as why she was thrown out, I think it was just a love affair gone bad. The guy is a bit of an oddball himself. A few days after she was tossed out, my hubby was walking our dogs & the guy spoke to him for a few minutes. All he said about this woman is that she needs help. I don't really think I want to know the details.

[jdlh8894]

9. Do what you can to help her out but keep at arm's length.

Better words have never been spoken in this situation.

[Yupster]

7. Are you able to take her in for a little while?

Where's Michael Jackon when you need him...

"I'm talking to the man in the mirror."

[napi21]

To be honest, I'm afraid to. I'm in a wheelchair and we are both retired.

I'm afraid if we take her in, we won't be ab;eto get her to leave. I guess that makes me evil.

[jdlh8894]

14. Not evil at all.

Concerned,yes. Not only for her ,but your own situation.

[Yupster]

30. I underrstand

I took in one person once for months and came out thousands of dollars behind as valuables disappeared and were never seen again.

It's a tough one, but I think of the lesson from the Gospel.

"When I was naked, you clothed me, when I was hungry you fed me.

But when were you hungry?

What you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me."

I always wonder if that person looking for a dollar is my test, so I give. I've had some real heartwarming experiences, but unfortunately a lot more disappointments.

Just as an example, seems like there's a scam going around my town the last 10 years or so. Probably 15 people have come up to me asking to borrow gas money since they were stranded 10 miles from home. In each case I've given them a few bucks and my business card so they can return the money to me when they get home. Everyone assures me they will. I tell each one that this is exciting since no one has ever returned a dollar yet. Each person assures me they'll be the first, and I've still never gotten a dollar back.

Still, I'll give $ 5 to the next guy, because maybe they are the ones who really is stranded.

[Shagbark Hickory]

11. There is a church on ridge rd just south of Friendship rd that seems to have a food bank

every sun.

If you PM me the name of the bait shop, I will make a point never to go there and tell everyone I know to do the same.

I'm afraid I don't have any other ideas. If the person needs a place to camp, I may have some ideas.

[BillyJack]

12. A few possibilities...

You list in your info what town you are in, so using that info:

1) Do any of the churches in your area have any programs to assist people in the area such as this woman? (looks like there are a LOT of churches in your area for such a small town).....or perhaps they would have a recommendation for who this woman could contact for assistance?

2)It looks like you are reasonably close to Atlanta. There are a lot more social service agencies and opportunities in a larger metro area than a smaller town. Looking on google for "homeless shelters in Atlanta" there are several. I thought that this one in particular looked promising:

http://atlantadayshelter.org/

It's only a day shelter though. She still wouldn't have a place to stay, but they SAY they offer training, medical assistance, food, clothing, free marta passes to get to job interviews, psychological counseling, etc.

3) I probably wouldn't let her move in, but perhaps you can tell her she can take a shower at your place when she needs to? *shrug*

One of the toughest things for someone who is in this woman's situation is to be able to stay clean enough and well-fed enough and mentally healthy enough to be able to get a job of some sort....even if it's just washing dishes or babysitting for someone in town to start.

I wouldn't waste ANY time or energy trying to get the money from the coffee/bait shop guy - not worth the effort (I know she needs the money, but it will suck up more energy & effort when that energy & effort should be put towards making a better life under very very difficult circumstances). Sure, she should go ask him next Friday for her money, but if he doesn't hand it over.....just move on with lesson learned. She shouldv'e quit when he started with the gutter talk/moves on her knowing that he was a total scumbag.

Hope this is of some help. Wish I could do more.

Nice of you to care to care about this person.

[napi21]

16. Thank you. We do let her shower here and of course

I have a hair dryer ad the amenities one needs.

Thanks for checking on the shelters. I'll give her the info when I see her next. I suspect she's afraid to go to downtown Atlanta. She was raised on a farm, and really is the most naieve 47 yo I think I've ever known. Sending her downtown feels like sending my 116 yo daughter there alone (If I had a daughter).

Honestly, the more I talk about this the more I realize that all that holier than thou BS you hear about the bble belt people is exactly that...BS! There are about 45 homes in our sub division and most of the peole who live here know this woman, yet noone but my husband & I offered to try to help her out, just letting her use the phone, take a shower, and give her a little food.

[Curmudgeoness]

21. Bless you for caring. I think you are doing the right thing.

This is the "Christian" thing to do, and it is amazing how few people who profess to be Christians would turn their backs on Christ himself. You are doing all that I would be willing to do myself. And this may sound wrong, and I could be so far off base here, but just make sure nothing of value is available to her when she is there. You just never know. And even a good person in a deperate situation may be tempted.

Just know you are being very kind.

:hug:

[bobbolink]

23. Which is exactly why CHARITY is NOT the answer.

[northernlights]

20. go straight to the state labor dept. regarding the pay owed

It is the one place where even the most vile state government will help, because if she doesn't get paid *they* don't get their little tax chunk. And however small it may be, they will go after that. One 5 minute phone call is *all* it will take.

I was stiffed by a nat'l chain sandwich shop the summer before last. It's the only time I've ever called the state for help with a crime and *not* been blown off. They called the store owner and had a check en route same day, within a few hours.

[napi21]

28. Thanks. She said she was going to call them first thing mon.

She's also afraid that the owner will deny she ever worked for him. I told her before she ever started to make sure she kept, down to the miute. I believe listing 7:55 am to 6:18 has more credibility than 8 to 6. I really hope it goes smoothly for her. She needs a little good stuff to happen right now.

[lumberjack_jeff]

29. Welcome to DU. n/t