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Go for 2, then 1. Have a polite, but firm discussion with the CEO. Tell him that you can't wait anymore for what it's rightfully yours. Give them 30 days to get your money or you'll be forced to go through the state. If they don't pay up, file a claim (you gave them ample time and a fair warning). And remember, they are the assholes, not you for wanting your money.
Go for 2, then 1. Have a polite, but firm discussion with the CEO. Tell him that you can't wait anymore for what it's rightfully yours. Give them 30 days to get your money or you'll be forced to go through the state. If they don't pay up, file a claim (you gave them ample time and a fair warning). And remember, they are the assholes, not you for wanting your money.
Thanks, that confirms what's been stewing in my mind.
When you start to see the people as the problem, instead of the people in the problem, it can hinder your social problem solving. And this is as much a social problem as it is a financial one.
There is a chance that this can be resolved with (1) you getting your money back and (2) you still being on friendly terms, but probably not if you label them "assholes" in your head. :)
I am going to have to go against the grain on this one. Yes you are owed money that is rightfully yours. But you wanted to be part of a startup with all the associated glory and rewards. That means you also assumed some risk and realized you might have to be flexible based on the circumstances handed to the startup. Remember, Amazon almost went under. The founders are not jerks. They spent what they had on you and tr…
You are right, I did assume risk in joining the startup. That was not apparent to me at the time because it was not really communicated, but now I know. Looking back, I see a lot of "I should have known" moments. The lesson is that one should not look to the leaders of the company to look out for their interest.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
The amount owed me is roughly the same as yours. I have positive cash flow in my personal finances so I'm above water, but if someone gave me that much right now it would almost feel like winning the lottery. What do you mean when you say you have diversified?
I'm doing multiple things - I didn't want to have all my eggs in one basket, revenue-wise. I'm getting to the point where I may want to refocus on just one avenue again, but the issue of having all income dependent on just one source, then getting shafted, was painful. Diversification was a reaction to that. I know what you mean about $9k feeling like a lottery win. As I said, I ended up suing, but it's likely going…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks, that confirms what's been stewing in my mind.
"And remember, they are the assholes..." When you start to see the people as the problem, instead of the people in the problem, it can hinder your social problem solving. And this is as much a social problem as it is a financial one. There is a chance that this can be resolved with (1) you getting your money back and (2) you still being on friendly terms, but probably not if you label them "assholes" in your head. :)
1. Character - how do I carry myself with justice, mercy, and compassion, yet not get pushed around and maintain self-respect? 2. Social - how do I maintain relationships? 3. Financial - how do I get my money?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks, that confirms what's been stewing in my mind.
"And remember, they are the assholes..." When you start to see the people as the problem, instead of the people in the problem, it can hinder your social problem solving. And this is as much a social problem as it is a financial one. There is a chance that this can be resolved with (1) you getting your money back and (2) you still being on friendly terms, but probably not if you label them "assholes" in your head. :)
First off, you have a right to know the state of the company's finances. If they say they don't have the money, tell them to prove it and show you their bank account balance.
Second, you can be aggressive without getting personal, as long as everyone stays honest. If they're lying to you, then they're douchebags and it is personal.
Third, another way you could do this is to setup a formal loan and repayment plan with set interest rates, payment schedule and penalties. You could probably do this yourself.
Setting up a formal, high interest-bearing loan seems like a great way to incentivize them to pay your money back. If they don't want to play ball, then take them to court.
However, I definitely agree that the solution is NOT to bend over and take it in the ass.
I am going to have to go against the grain on this one. Yes you are owed money that is rightfully yours. But you wanted to be part of a startup with all the associated glory and rewards. That means you also assumed some risk and realized you might have to be flexible based on the circumstances handed to the startup. Remember, Amazon almost went under. The founders are not jerks. They spent what they had on you and tr…
I disagree with that. This person is an employee not a founder. Therefore the risk they assume should be different. At worst, it should be that of losing their job at short notice. The flexibility you also refer to should not extend to working for long periods with no idea when you'll get paid.
Although we can only hear one side of the story here, I feel the founders were negligent in their duties to their employees. They should have made the company's situation clearer to the staff and gone over the options.
Like others in the thread, I doubt the OP will get all the money he is rightfully owed. However, simply walking away in 'good faith' seems weak (esp when that faith has already been abused).
Earlier quoted context omitted.
"And remember, they are the assholes..." When you start to see the people as the problem, instead of the people in the problem, it can hinder your social problem solving. And this is as much a social problem as it is a financial one. There is a chance that this can be resolved with (1) you getting your money back and (2) you still being on friendly terms, but probably not if you label them "assholes" in your head. :)
Generally speaking I don't advocate labeling people. My remark was included because many people in the OP's situation would feel terrible about asking money to a company that is struggling. However, it's important to remember that they are the ones at fault so a request is absolutely legitimate and he shouldn't feel bad about it.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Totally agree with you.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
"And remember, they are the assholes..." When you start to see the people as the problem, instead of the people in the problem, it can hinder your social problem solving. And this is as much a social problem as it is a financial one. There is a chance that this can be resolved with (1) you getting your money back and (2) you still being on friendly terms, but probably not if you label them "assholes" in your head. :)
I think you hit the nail there in that I'm really curious on how to solve the social problem in more of a win-win way as you described. I would probably break down and rank the problem like this: 1. Character - how do I carry myself with justice, mercy, and compassion, yet not get pushed around and maintain self-respect? 2. Social - how do I maintain relationships? 3. Financial - how do I get my money?
When I'm in a situation like this, it also helps to think of myself as an "ambassador of reality". Basically, reality is sending a message to the business people. It's feedback saying "your assumptions about the market were wrong" or "you didn't plan thoroughly enough" or whatever the situation is. Reality just happens to be sending this message through you to them. If you don't ask for your money back, you're not giving them the proper financial feedback that they need to learn to be better businesspeople. For their next venture, you will have helped them learn that if you don't pay people they won't just go away and forget about it. You don't have to be aggressive or threaten legal action, you just have to be persistent and not go away. :)
If you need some inspiration, go watch the film Gandhi. He was always civil and friendly, but very stubborn. :)