Unpaid Suspension Wage Dispute

Summary

The user was suspended from work without pay due to a workplace incident involving a coworker. The users employer, E2 Optics, conducted an investigation during which the user was not paid. The user is located in Virginia, where employers are not required to pay for hours not worked, including suspensions, unless specified in the contract. The user is considering legal action to recover the unpaid wages and has been advised to contact the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry or a labor attorney. The user has also been informed about the Virginia Legal Aid Society, which provides free legal services to low-income individuals.

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my employer is not paying me for the suspension
What is the reason for your suspension, and what are the terms of your employment contract regarding suspension pay?
My Coworker put hands on me at work and they have to do the investigation and when police officer show at my work site than they suspend me and did the investigation and today when they reinstate me and i ask for the money for the hours they told me to do not report and now they saying its in the employee contract that they are not gonna pay me for the hours they did investigation
Have you reviewed your employment contract to confirm if it indeed states that you won't be paid during a suspension period for an investigation?
I didn’t reviewed on that time when they hired me
Do you have a copy of your employment contract now? It's important to review it to understand your rights and obligations.
yes
Can you please check your contract to see if there's a clause about suspension pay during investigations?
Misconduct constituting harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or any other violation of the Code or applicable law will be dealt with promptly and appropriately. Responsive action may include, for example, training, referral to counseling, monitoring of the offender and/or corrective action such as warning, reprimand, withholding of a promotion or pay increase, demotion in position and/or pay scale, reassignment, temporary suspension without pay or termination of employment, as E2 Optics believes in its discretion is appropriate under the circumstances.
What state are you located in? Employment laws vary by state and it's important to know your location to provide accurate information.
Virginia
What is the name of your employer? In Virginia, employers are generally not required to pay for hours not worked, including suspensions, unless specified in an employment contract.
E2 Optics
What is the duration of your suspension? In Virginia, employers are not required to pay for hours not worked, including suspensions, unless specified in the contract.
18 days
What was the outcome of the investigation? In Virginia, employers are not required to pay for hours not worked, including suspensions, unless specified in the contract.
they termed the other guy and reinstate me
What actions are you considering to take regarding your unpaid suspension period?
What ever is applicable. I just need my money
Have you considered contacting a labor attorney or the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry to discuss your situation?
not yet
You might want to consider reaching out to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Their contact number is (*) *-*.
i don’t have money to pay
What is your financial situation? Are you unable to afford a lawyer or any legal fees?
Dont have money
Are you aware of legal aid services in Virginia that provide free or low-cost legal assistance?
I don’t know
You can contact Virginia Legal Aid Society at *-*-*-*. They provide free legal services to low-income individuals.
ok
Have you considered filing a wage claim with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry?
General Information:
- Virginia law requires employers to pay for hours worked.
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: (*) *-*.
No I didn’t
You can file a wage claim with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Here's their website: https://www.doli.virginia.gov/labor-law/payment-of-wage-english/.
Do you think i can get my money
What evidence do you have to support your claim for unpaid wages?
The company Email that they said Do Not Report
What does the email specifically state regarding your suspension and pay?
They said nothing
They didn’t specifying anything
It was Nothing in email
What other evidence do you have that can support your claim for unpaid wages?
i have nothing
Do you have any witnesses or colleagues who can confirm your situation?
yes
What is the name and contact information of your witness?
Hassan Turay
What is Hassan Turay's relationship to the situation? Is he a coworker or a supervisor?
Supervisor
What did Hassan Turay witness in relation to your situation?
he Saw the cowerker put hands on me
Did Hassan Turay provide a statement or report about the incident to your employer or the police?
yes
What did Hassan Turay say in his statement or report?
He stated that he didn’t see tge begining but in the middle he saw that other guy put hands on me
What actions did your employer take after receiving Hassan Turay's statement?
they didn’t take any action and send the other guy at same site where i was working
Did you feel threatened or unsafe when your employer sent the same person back to your work site?
yes
What actions did you take after feeling threatened or unsafe at your work site?
i talked to HR and told her i can work with him
What was HR's response when you told them you couldn't work with the person who assaulted you?
she seperated us
What happened after HR separated you two? Did they take any further action?
then we got suspended next day because police officer show at my work site
What was the reason given by the police officer for showing up at your work site?
Because no one was cooperating him for investigation
What was the nature of the investigation the police officer was conducting?
about the cowerker put hands on me
Did you file a police report about the incident with your coworker?
yes
What did you state in the police report?
that he put his hands on me
What was the outcome of the police investigation?
the police officer said he cant help me since the eye witness didn’t give him a good statement
What was the exact statement given by the eye witness to the police officer?
I don’t know
What actions did your employer take after the police investigation?
suspend me
What was the reason given by your employer for your suspension?
Because the cleint didn’t like it when police officer showed up on site
What actions have you taken since your suspension and the conclusion of the police investigation?
i didn’t take any action since i was scared and depressed
What steps have you taken to address your feelings of fear and depression? It's important to take care of your mental health during this challenging time.
i talked to employeer
What was the response of your employer when you discussed your feelings of fear and depression with them?
they didn’t help
What steps have you taken to seek professional help for your feelings of fear and depression? It's important to take care of your mental health.