When I started working for the company, a salon, business co-owner Nuhad Karaki informed me that in order to work for his and co-owner Daniel Bensimon's Aveda franchise in Reston, VA, they take a percentage of your first pay check and hold it for a period of 90 days.
After working for the company for 90 days, they were supposed to return the funds. I had already quit my previous job and I had no intention of leaving this new company before 90 days so I didn't think much about the withholding at the time.
After working for there for about two weeks, I realized that it was just not the company for me. I tried holding out for 90 days and I just coudn't. I will not go into the exact reasons but I just did not feel comfortable there.
After working for Daniel and Nuhad for a little under two months I felt so uncomfortable at the salon that I had to quit. I put in my two-week notice and Nuhad informed me that I would forfeit the pay withheld from my first paycheck.
Right before I left the company, I emailed Mr. Karaki and asked him to send me an email specifying exactly how much money was taken from my first paycheck (approx. $550) and exactly why he was not giving me the money I had earned. To date he has not replied to that email. Below is the email I sent to Nuhad Karaki regarding my money:
'Nuhad,
I am concerned about the withholding from my check. Is this something that is still in effect and if so, could I have a respond in writing of
1. The amount withheld 2. The reason why it is being withheld.
Thank you
*
On 11 July nuhad wrote me:
"[ (my name)], hope all is well and please drop LS key ASAP, you can do it at Prow or LS by tomorrow. Thanks and please let me know. Nuhad"
I responded:
'If it is fine with you, I can drop off the key at Leshoppe on Friday when I pick up my paycheck. I also sent you an email about the withholding. If you could give me the status on that, so that I know what actions I should pursue, I would appreciate it.
Thank you
Nuhad:
"[ (My Name)],
Thank you for getting back to me and I must have the key by tomorrow and there is no reason for you to keep it any longer, If I do not have it by then, we have to change the keys and you will be charged for the cost (the sheet that you signed).
Regarding the withholding you have a copy of everything and please review your emails, we communicated and discussed all items in details.
We have an issue in locating a $63 on 6/22 when you were covering the desk.
Please let me know and thanks, Nuhad"
Me:
'Nuhad-
I can bring the keys Thursday or early tomorrow morning. Those are the only two times I can do. If you had emailed me earlier this week not the day before you want me to drop off the keys, I could have made proper arrangements.
Regarding the withholding, no, I don't have a copy of any forms and the withholding was not specified in any of our emails. That said, I would appreciate a copy of those forms and a forwarded email of those said emails. What I do have though is a copy of a form specifying that my employment at Jouvence was "At Will". And I am sure that I don't have to go into detail about how it is illegal to withhold funds from the paycheck of someone who has already worked those hours. Or to have an employee sign any form that withholds funds from time worked.
Now, if I don't receive my withholding, I will contact a lawyer.
I am not sure where you are going with the $63 because 6/22 is almost a month ago and this is the first time I am hearing about this. Anyway, I did closing bags up until I left and everything was fine but that is not something we should really be discussing since I no longer work for you.'
*
Nuhad never responded to that email.
Today, My final pay check was direct deposited into my bank account. Roughly five hours later, the direct deposit was reversed. I spoke to Nuhad and he told me that I had a "live" paycheck and to pick it up at Le Shoppe. My checking account was overdrawn because of this (because my car payment was automatically debited today, 13 July.) I asked Nuhad twice why this happened and on one occasion, he said he could not discuss the matter because he was on a conference call and the second time, I actually went into his office to pick up my paycheck and he said I am on the phone, I cannot discuss this.
These people are the most arrogant people I have ever worked for and I hope that everyone sees just how pompous these people are to think that they are above the law and can break federal labor laws for their own personal gain. To date, Nuhad has not given me the copies of these alleged emails, or anything I asked for. I have also not recieved the money from my first paycheck that is rightly mine. I not only ask for help to publicly expose these con artists but to also plead to whomever reads this report to please stay away from these snakes in Ralph Lauren clothing and consider employment elsewhere. You will surely regret it if you don't.
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