James Innes Group?

[Rogdragon]

Hi
I've been reading this forum with interest..
I joined James Innes in late 2015 and competed approx 20 - 25 orders a month. I didn't get paid until March 2016. I feel the only way I got paid was to send and maintain consistent complaint emails and I seriously considered consulting the CAB or a solicitor's office. Eventually I was paid for some work, but not all of it. It is now July and I am noticing similar trends in withholding payment.

I wanted to ask the forum if everyone has had an email form the CEO explaining the difficult financial situation the company has been in. I quote one sentence: "Over the past year, hard decisions have had to be made in terms of prioritising payments, decisions made for the greater good – to ensure the long-term success of the business, which is in everyone’s best interests."
This worries me as surely this company is bound legally by paying staff according to EU employment law?

The forum's messages worry me also that others have had a negative experience.

[Dee1988]

Hi.The contract we signed for them is very evasive.Not sure what we can do.I joined in 2015 and had multiple delays but eventually got paid each time.Taking legal action might help but it will also mean we can kiss goodbye this job so I advise anyone out here to first find a job and then do something drastic in order to get their payments.

[Dee1988]

https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Th...s-E1160841.htm

[Jock]

Anyone threatening legal action of any kind is paid off and instantly fired.

[Rogdragon]

Yes you are right about the evasive contract. It states "paid at the appropriate time" which gives the company license to pay whenever they want.

Incidentally I wrote to one of the managers, the one who I mostly dealt with (KW), and mentioned I was considering legal action. I was paid quickly after that and received very apologetic emails back. I wasn't fired but payment did not follow easily the next month.

One more thing, I decided to stop writing for a month in the late spring to see what happened. With no orders completed I received no correspondence from JI group relating to my break. Since then I have started writing again and the emails from them have picked up asking for assistance once more. I feel they really need us writers as we keep the business engine running.

I didn't know they are Swiss based.
I'm GB based. Anyone else?

[Dee1988]

I am not buying any of that brexit crap.This is not the first nor the last excuse they will use.This payment issue started 1 year ago and we are now in july 2016.It is up to everyone to believe them or not.It's a pity we are not united or allowed to communicate, otherwise I am sure we would have solved this problem by now.Good luck to all writers who decide to stay on board.

[beckstock 33]

Very very upset, been working for them since November and their payments got better but now no pay this month when I've been slaving away as usual all fricking month. Fuming, do not know what to do.

[joepippin]

I am in the same boat, no pay this month, despite the email saying things were getting back on track. Dont know what else to do. Reassured to read the comments on here and know I am not the only one.

I do wonder if the company is about to go under and they are just trying to squeeze the last few orders out of the very few writers that they now have left. I guess they will now also use the fact that they have no writers left to do the orders, so they cant pay.

I think the company is bidding their time and Im sure the people at the top are still getting paid. I was told late payments were due to system errors, then I heard it was because a member of staff, who has now left the company had reuined things. They were going to get an overdraft, well I guess they didnt get that then as the bank wouldnt lend to them. The last email makes refernece to growth, well thats a load of rubbish, if you have no writers to keep up with the flow of orders.

[Rogdragon]

i wonder if there is a way we could collaborate and as a writer's group seek advice? I'm happy to share an email address and liaise.
Haven't worked on any CV's for weeks now because I'm so cross.

[joepippin]

Yeah I think that would be a good idea. I am now going to seek advice with CAB. I have not taken any either but the emails from customer service still keep coming as they seem to be crying out for writers.