Ask Amy: Spa worker knows unethical owner is all wet
Should I ask my bosses/friends for the cash?
Should I inform the other employees?
– Rubs Me Wrong!
Dear Wrong: You should pursue the back pay owed to you, following your lawyer’s advice (a letter from the lawyer might inspire the business owners to avoid court and offer you a fair settlement).
You should assume that your friendship is over and proactively look for a position at a different business, in case you decide to part company.
In terms of notifying the other employees, the letter from your lawyer to the spa owners might include a sentence strongly suggesting that they take steps to restore back pay to all of their employees. Your lawyer might decide to contact the other employees independently, gathering a few more clients and billable hours along the way.
The business owners should assume that all of the employees will find out about this. The spa’s own lawyer will advise them on how to settle, deal with any penalties, and continue to stay in business, legitimately.
Dear Amy: Fifty-two years ago, my sister shared a secret with me on the condition that I tell no one.
She has five children, two with her first husband and three children with three different men (conceived while she was still married to her first husband).
I’m experiencing guilt about holding this secret and feel my adult nieces and nephews have a basic right to know their truth.
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