My boss screwed me over and left me almost broke
Donation protected
My name is Rachel Leyba. I'm an autistic, disabled trans woman of color in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For several years I've been hoping to become a baker. But recently I have developed mobility issues that make it difficult for me to work standing for more than a short time-- an hour or so at a time. This means that my previous career goal is likely to be impossible for me. As a result I returned to my previous field of clerical work.
In June of 2020 I was hired by Chick & Associates Paralegal Firm, a small business here in Albuquerque, as an administrative assistant. During the time I worked for them my only points of contact with them were with the owner and his wife, who he alleges is the CFO of the company. At the time I write this my first paycheck is over 11 days late. I have made a number of efforts to contact my boss by phone, text, and email, and even an attempt at visiting him in-person to discuss my paycheck. All have ended with failure. Upon further personal investigation, many of the things he told me about himself appear to have been untrue and I am not sure whether he ever intended to treat me as anything other than a source of free labor in filing personal cases in the first place.
As a result of all this, I have wasted more than a month of time during which I could have been actively job-seeking or even earning money in a different job. This has left money extremely tight for me-- I have less than $600 in the bank as I write this and anticipate more expenses coming up in July, let alone next month's rent and utilities. Most recently I have reported the firm to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions in the hopes that they will be able to investigate and get back my stolen wages. However I cannot be sure they will be able to do so in a timely fashion. Your donations will help me to defray those expenses while I look for work, as well as covering the court fees if it becomes necessary to sue my former boss in small claims court-- which in New Mexico make up only around $77 for the actual court fees, and perhaps more if I require assistance in serving the summons or if I should need a lawyer.
It is imperative we raise the funds as quickly as possible. If my partner and I share the load we can probably last until August, but we will be flat broke by the middle of that month. If you cannot donate, another way you might be able to help me is by helping me to find an employment-- for instance, by referring me to your own business or employer. I can work anywhere in the Albuquerque metro area and have the bulk of my experience in clerical work, customer service, writing, and foodservice. For details or for my resume please contact me here.
In June of 2020 I was hired by Chick & Associates Paralegal Firm, a small business here in Albuquerque, as an administrative assistant. During the time I worked for them my only points of contact with them were with the owner and his wife, who he alleges is the CFO of the company. At the time I write this my first paycheck is over 11 days late. I have made a number of efforts to contact my boss by phone, text, and email, and even an attempt at visiting him in-person to discuss my paycheck. All have ended with failure. Upon further personal investigation, many of the things he told me about himself appear to have been untrue and I am not sure whether he ever intended to treat me as anything other than a source of free labor in filing personal cases in the first place.
As a result of all this, I have wasted more than a month of time during which I could have been actively job-seeking or even earning money in a different job. This has left money extremely tight for me-- I have less than $600 in the bank as I write this and anticipate more expenses coming up in July, let alone next month's rent and utilities. Most recently I have reported the firm to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions in the hopes that they will be able to investigate and get back my stolen wages. However I cannot be sure they will be able to do so in a timely fashion. Your donations will help me to defray those expenses while I look for work, as well as covering the court fees if it becomes necessary to sue my former boss in small claims court-- which in New Mexico make up only around $77 for the actual court fees, and perhaps more if I require assistance in serving the summons or if I should need a lawyer.
It is imperative we raise the funds as quickly as possible. If my partner and I share the load we can probably last until August, but we will be flat broke by the middle of that month. If you cannot donate, another way you might be able to help me is by helping me to find an employment-- for instance, by referring me to your own business or employer. I can work anywhere in the Albuquerque metro area and have the bulk of my experience in clerical work, customer service, writing, and foodservice. For details or for my resume please contact me here.
Organizer
Rachel Leyba
Organizer
Albuquerque, NM