Checks and Balances

A few months ago (the last week in May, to be precise), I went to New York for a work-related conference. My cheap nonprofit company shocked me by putting me up in the Marriott Marquis in Times Square (I'm still convinced that they had to resort to this ritzy hotel because they waited 'til the last minute to make reservations and nothing cheap was available) and reserving my plane ticket for me. What the company did not cover, however, were food, cab, and other incidental expenses. At the time, I didn't think much of it--I only dropped about $200 of my own, and I figured I'd get the money back in time to pay the next month's rent.

I should have known better.

Three months later, I haven't seen a dime of the money the company owes me. There are several factors that I'm sure have contributed to this delinquency; primary among them are the fact that I am no longer employed there and the fact that I've seen 9-year-olds run more efficient lemonade stands (my voluntary termination of employment is a direct result of the aforementioned inefficiency and incompetence).

I've corresponded with my former boss several times, and she has assured me that the reimbursement check is "on the way." As the weeks and months pass, I become less and less patient and understanding. If it wouldn't cost me more money than what I'm owed, I'd hire a lawyer to deal with it, just out of principle. But circumstances being what they are, I must resort to begrudging e-mail diplomacy. If that fails, I will move on to Plan B: Showing Up In Person and Refusing to Leave Without a Check in My Hand. I have a sneaking suspicion, however, that Plan B would necessitate a Plan C: Going to Jail for Trespassing and Assault.

I didn't want to go on the miserable business trip to begin with (I received NO assistance in planning for the conference, and the travel plans were all very last-minute, which is NOT how I roll), and although I am making more money at my new job, my budget is still tight. Considering my inability to build any savings during my year of slave labor with my former employer, I can ill afford to forfeit the missing $200.

Give me my damn money!!

This is why you can't retain employees!