I'm a disabled veteran. I was asked to be the live in overnight caregiver for my friend Brian. So I moved from Texas to California to help out. I work from 7am to 7pm and get one night off a week. I just asked for another day and it doesn't seem they want to give me the second night off. I also run errands during the day when I'm not too tired. I get paid 8 of the 12 hours worked on my night shifts. I pay half the utilities. The rent is taken out of my pay, they don't pay me 4 of the 12 hours I work each night. I get paid 12$ an hour. I buy my own food. I have a service dog that stays with me. I'm not on the lease, and don't get much rest or personal time. I cook, clean, cut his hair and nails once a week, turn him at night every 1 to 3 hours as needed, provide medication according to instructions, and stretch him and provide assistance on request. The company sends him the check and then he pays me. I've been working for 3 months now and haven't gotten a single check on time.
As a live in caregiver, you do not pay rent, nor utilities.
It is reasonable that you pay for your food.
You should have time off according to your local employment laws.
Why is the company not paying you directly? Are they paying the employment taxes? Is Brian keeping the difference?
the fraud being committed here. Your friend is committing fraud by keeping part of the money paid to you! This is so much wrong with this situation and you are being taken advantage of. And I don’t buy in to theory that your friend may have little money and that’s why he’s withholding money from the amount workman’s comp is paying you. In this state, workmans comp benefits are not taxable so your friend is receiving his full normal pay and it’s TAX FREE so he’s being paid more while not working. Considering how high state and federal taxes are, he’s likely bringing in quite a bit more than he would if he was still working.
I I do know for a fact that my friend isn't keeping any of the money though. They send him an itemized statement of my hours that they're paying so that he can transfer the money to me. I pick up the checks from the mail, and open it to make sure that everything is correct, and then I give it to my friend so that he can deposit it. Once the deposit has hit his bank account he automatically pays me straight through my Paypal invoice that I send him.
I I feel like the workman's comp company is the one that's committing fraud. We were both under the assumption when we agreed to their terms oh, that the check would be mailed it to me under my name. He's going to have to get a lawyer to because they're not providing him with everything they're supposed to be providing him with.
If you negotiate a private contract then you may have terms and conditions that suit the two parties involved. But the key is you need a contract that clearly states the terms of your agreement. You appear to have wanted to change the terms by asking for a second night off. “They” seem to have changed the terms by not paying on time, cutting your pay and billing you for utilities and rent....and wanting you to run errands on your own time. Who provides the transportation?
Did these changes happen one slowly over time or have you allowed it from the beginning? Were these items discussed prior to your taking the job? He (they) may think you have no choice but to accept the revised terms? Save your money. Renegotiate and ask for the job requirements in writing.
Perhaps your friend has little money himself. He may feel he is entitled to keep a portion of the money that comes to him but then again if it comes to light that he is not using the money for what it’s intended, he may be putting this benefit in jeopardy. Not sure how that works.
If you had to come from Texas to Ca to take the job, he must have had a difficult time finding takers.
Think this through carefully. California vs Texas for the weather is not all bad. I hope you can work it out if you enjoy your old friends company.
Thank you for your service.
You are being taken advantage of.
If you need help yourself to get out of this situation you might want to contact the VA.
I would also report them and or the agency to the State.