I'm pretty sure my employer is breaking a lot of NC laws. What to do?

[ayize]

I was recently hired at a local Subway and was very excited. At the job interview, the manager working at the time wrote on a piece of paper that said "I (my name) agree to go through one week of training without pay." Eager to get the job, I signed the paper.
First off, it's illegal for employers to not pay for their training (I didn't know that then).
Second, I believe it's also illegal to ask a minor (I am 17) to sign any document without parent or guardian present.
Third, they never asked for my worker's permit, which I believe is also illegal (and which I do not have, since this is my first job).

So I think I'm technically working illegally for this Subway, even though they are now paying me (but not for my week of 8.5 hour days of training) and I'm not sure how to approach this.

I believe the best thing for me to do is contact the NC department of labor but they seem to be having a hard time calling me back.

Do you have any advice on what I should do?
Right now, just for training, they owe me about $350 before taxes are taken out.
If I am illegally working for them since they never asked for my worker's permit, isn't that their fault? or mine?

They also had me sign a W-4 paper today and when I told the manager I was confused, she said, "Just sign your name and I'll take care of the rest."
This is also taking advantage of me because I was not allowed to use my phone to contact my parents and didn't even know what it was really for.
I feel like I'm being cheated and need some advice!
I have already contacted Subway HQ and they have done nothing.

What should I do?!

[fenwick]

good luck

[aswynn81]

Tell your parents
Only you should fill out a W-4, that is your tax form basically. I don't know why they would take that from you. And you could sue subway for this, but I would contact my parents first and let them handle it.
If all else fails.. be persistent.

[delrico]

Since you are underage, your parents are the logical ones to speak to about this. They will know what to do.

If you report them for employment violations, they will probably let you go. Are you ready for that???

[ardwyad]

Yes, it was illegal to not pay you for training. If you want to make a stink about it, you will get paid but you will then be told they can't accomodate your hours or something and you will be let go.

Does the company know you are only 17?

It is not illegal for a minor to sign a document without your parents there. No minor would ever get hired if that was the case. Parents do NOT go to work with the child.

Yes, the employer should have required you to complete a work permit before starting work.

You are allowed to provide your employer with a new W4 document whenever you want, download the form and complete it with your parents, if you want and then return it to your employer.
= yes, it is completely ok for the company to NOT allow you to call your parents while you are working. If you mature enough to work, then you can't be calling mommy and daddy.
- the form says exactly what it is for, you can read it. If you wanted your parents to prepare you for starting work, they should have done that before you started work.

[alleyne]

You are in a tough place -- try to enforce your rights and you might lose the job.

Document everything, and then someday when you leave the job write a summary of everything they have done illegal and send it to the NC Department of Labor. If they have the resources, they can use it as the basis to launch an investigation. (At a minimum, Subway should be required to give back pay to all the employees who were not paid during training. The payroll records would indicate who was or wasn't paid.)