I went to work at this ripoff company in dispatch. I soon found out why they had such high driver turnover and truck abandonments. The owners; Norma and Carl Higgs, son Scott Higgs as well as daughter Beth Graffeo are all together in this lease-purchase company.
They have drivers believing they can be successful if they apply themselves hard enough. The recruiting phone calls are the 1st bite on this hook of deception. Scott, is a very good salesman to the prospective recruits. He will tell them that so many drivers will be paying off their trucks this month, this year or whatever it takes to get the driver in the door. The trucks are "clapped-out" 95-98 model Freightliners, Kenworths and Petes. Most have 1 million (or close) miles on them and are on their last legs. Most are already paid off by the sweat of others. If you listen to owner Norma, everyone is out to get them and no one can be trusted.
My mistake in going to work for this slip-shod outfit was the fact I was painted blue sky in the fact that I had a future with this deadbeat outfit. The truth is they try to get as much out of the office staff as they do of the drivers. One of the main reasons I left was because they seem to have financial problems. I had problems with a paycheck, cell phose being turned off die to over due bills, 800 service interupted to to non-payment.
It seems as though no one will extend this company credit. I couldn't even buy toner for the copier because they had not paid their bill. I was told at the time of my resignation if I did not give 2 weeks notice they would only pay me minimum wage. Unfortunately they can do that. According to Wage and Hour in the State of Missouri that's all they can go after. That's a kick in the head! I worked my 2 weeks.
I wokred as I diid in the prior 4 months I was employed. On my last Friday, I was told by son Scott said that I would receive all money owed and he would even give me a personal recomendation if I needed it.
I just wanted out and did not need his help. However Iwas still concerned if I would receive my pay.in the beginning they hold out 2 weeks pay. I even went as far as to give them 2 self addressed stamped envelopes so they wouldn't have to worry about scraping together enough money.
One mistake I freely admit is I used their company cell phone in my job search. After my separation they reviewed the month of January's bill and charged me not only for the "unauthorized" but the personal calls they said I could make! They are charging me. 35 per call regardless of minutes used. They gave me a copy of the bill allright, it has the real charges blacked out! I did not sign any sort of contract regarding my employment with this company. The only agreement was that I could use the phone for personal use and was asked to watch how much long distance I used.
I did use their phone for long distance once that was not company business to the tune of 31 minutes when I talked to another company about employment. There were 2 other charges of approxiamtely 10 minutes using an "800" number to call the same company.
I realize I made a mistake in judgement doing this. I do not feel however that I should be penalized to the extent that I am receiving. Owner Norma is a hateful and spiteful person and considers herself to be pious and righteous in her church.
The deduction from my check will be over $200.00, I feel this is entirely unfair and welcome any rebuttal or legal advise on this. I am going to make every attempt to contact any agency I can to make it difficult for the owners of Ledar Transport to continue in conducting business in this fashion. Please for your own sakes, stay away from this company!
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