posted on May 9, 2003 04:39:57 AM new
I really need some feedback here and maybe some advice! Here's the shortened scenerio.
I work for a new non-profit. I, along with 2 others, developed the center in January. We've only recently been able to submit claims to Medicare and to date have had to send paper claims. Medicare is coming out with a new electronic claims program and God only knows when it will be ready. Paper claims are S-L-O-W to pay (about 3-4 weeks). We've run out of our seed money. Thankfully, we did receive a payment from Medicare this past week. It was enough to do a payroll. There are 2 people on the payroll: me and a receptionist. Well, my General Manager says he will not allow me to do a payroll. "What if there isn't enough money to cover our rent by the end of the month?" (Which is still three weeks away) To which I replied, "Our receptionist needs rent money, too. She has a small child and will get evicted if she can't pay her rent." Here's where I get kind of mad. His response to that was, in essence: Well, at least it will take 6 months to evict her. In the meantime, she can find another place to live.
I beg to differ with him. She lives month-to-month. She will not have 6 months and why should she have to lose her home so that the business can keep its? I, too, need my pay as the wolves are at my door.
You guessed it - I do payroll and HR. Here's what I plan on doing and PLEASE advise me here. I'm doing a payroll anyway as I am one of the signers on the checking account and can do it. It is my feeling that the employees pay comes before anything else. Am I wrong? I will let him fire me over it. I don't think it would come to that as I am the only one there that knows how to do the insurance billing and I am a member of the board of directors.
I am starting another business and it's rolling right along. I plan on leaving this position once the business is on its feet.
So, guys, what should I do? Should I do a payroll anyway? Or, should I explain to the single mother of a small child that there will be no payroll this week and I don't know when there will be one? Please understand that not paying this week does not mean not paying at all. It means a delay in pay, which I don't consider acceptable.
posted on May 9, 2003 05:38:46 AM new
I agree with twelve - do the payroll, employees come first
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
"I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it." - A Few Good Men
posted on May 9, 2003 06:48:32 AM new
Do the payroll, and advise your receptionist to go straight to the bank and CASH the check, not deposit it. That way she'll have her $$ if it gets ugly.
If you can't answer a man's argument, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.
- Elbert Hubbard
posted on May 9, 2003 07:03:48 AM new
DO THE PAYROLL. It's very easy for your partner to say, "oh, she'll find another place" but most places today want referrences from your current landlord - difficult to get once you are in eviction and if an eviction is actually carried out she's screwed. Most decent places will not rent to someone with an eviction on their record.. if he complains - just tll him - "It'll take at lest 6 months for them to evict us - in the meantime we can find a new place"
posted on May 9, 2003 08:47:24 AM new
I just handed the receptionist her paycheck. The compromise was that I agreed to go without mine at least until next Friday. MY compromise was: Ok. However, if I don't have a paycheck next Friday, you won't have to show me the door because I'm already familiar with its location!
Some people just don't understand that a business is not a business without its employees. I couldn't survive without our receptionist who is also my support staff. I'll be danged if I'm doing it all alone. Happy employees make for happy clients which makes for a happy business.
Happy, happy, happy. LOL! Meanwhile, there goes my flea market excursion this weekend.
