Employer Denies Pay

Location: Paterson NJ

Hey Reddit, I need some advice. My sister has been working 2–3 times a week at a used car dealership in Paterson, NJ, calling leads and helping with sales for the past 3 months without a single pay. She helped close 4 buyers, and the general manager told her she would get $87 per day plus $50 per buyer. She’s 18 and new to the world.

Here’s what’s happened: • She worked over 30 days, 6–7 hours each day. • They initially gave her nothing and then finally agreed to pay her 500, but only gave her $250 in cash, saying they’d give the rest next week.(she expected +$2800) • The dealership tried to argue she was “just training,” but even if that were true, NJ law says training has to be paid at minimum wage if the employer benefits from it, which clearly happened here.(would still be around $2800) • There was no contract — the only thing they took was a photo of her ID — and the $87/day rate was verbal, though the GM confirmed it. • When she asked for pay today they laughed at her and said, “Pay you for what?” which is insane.

I’m planning to help her file a claim with the NJ Division of Labor, but I wanted to check here: 1. How strong is her case even without signed contracts or pay stubs? 2. Can we expect full back pay + penalties/liquidated damages if NJDOL rules in her favor? 3. Is there anything else we should do before filing? 4. Should we try talking to the dealership again, or just go straight to NJDOL?

Yes I know my sister should have been raised concern months ago but they made her feel welcomed and said everyone gets paid monthly. Her timid behavior towards close friends refrained her from speaking up for herself and the way they treated her frustrates me.

I had to stop every cell in my body from going to the dealership and speaking my own mind as her older brother. Even if she was doing a terrible job, why lead her on for 3 months and only pay her $250…

Thanks in advance for any advice. I want to make sure she actually gets what she’s owed and doesn’t get pushed around.