If you are paid off the books, what can you do when you are given a week off without your consent, with no pay and only your days worked are being cut back.

I’m not sure what you can do about it in your part of the world, but where I am your only option would be to quit. I assume by “off the books” you mean no taxes, no contract etc. If that is the case then there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Well, that is not exactly true, you could go all suicide bomber about it and report it, but that will see you in just as much trouble as the boss.

It sounds like your days there are numbered anyway, so take a couple days off and use them to find a new job.

If you are off the books, there is nothing you can do… unless you want to make your job on the books. In which case you stand to lose a lot of money (and probably the job all together).

Time to get a new job.

Welcome to Fluther. You have no job protection of any sort by being “off the books.” That’s why it’s not legal in the US.

Look for a new job that offers real hours, pay, and benefits.

If you are off the books, does that mean you pay no taxes? If you pay no taxes, then you can save the money you don’t use to pay taxes to live off on.

You probably could technically sue or threaten to sue, but such an employer will probably immediately fire you as soon as they find out what you are doing. And if they didn’t, it might even be worse in the end, because you would be in the position of more or less blackmailing your boss.

If the work situation is abusive, you could find a better one.

If you came back and the locks were changed, how did you get back into the business to find your paycheck under your keyboard?

Also, how did you have a paycheck if you weren’t paid for the week you took off?

You accepted a position without legal obligations. Now you find it is also a position without legal protections. Next time make a better bargain for yourself.