- Report: #592194
Complaint Review: Chicago Honey Bear Dancers - Carol Stream Illinois
Reported By:
anonymous -
private, Nationwide, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
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Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Chicago Honey Bear Dancers
1038 Brookstone Dr Carol Stream, 60188 Illinois, United States of America
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Chicago Honey Bear Dancers Singing Dance Show Company Never Paid Me For My Performances With Them Carol Stream, Illinois
This is to describe in detail the injustice act committed by the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers onto me, a former "Chicago Honey Bear Dancers" Singer.
(paychecks withheld from me as a contract singer for the company)
Total wages are: $620.00
November 28 90.00
December 5 90.00
December 12 90.00
December 18 90.00
December 31 160.00
January 8 90.00
September 2009. I was offered the position as a contract singer for the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers after my audition with them. The owners of the company stated verbally that my wages per performance would range from $80-$100 excluding New Year's Eve which would be around $300 as it is a special night of performance. Also, splitting tips received at showcases with the other singer. The owners explained to me that paychecks are cut each month on the 21st and are either mailed to the contracted employees or given to the contracted employee at their next performance.
Agreeing to the offer, I joined the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, signed the contract and had it notarized and began to drive 2 hours almost weekly to Carol Streams, Illinois and surrounding towns to perform with the company as their singer along side wife and co-owner of the company. In total, I received 2 paychecks from the company. My October paycheck and early November paycheck. Paychecks that have yet to be paid is my last performance of November, all of December, January and February.
My normal day of performances with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers is as follows:
3) 4 hours spent performing
The "fine" as threatened by the owners of the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers was never described in full via the phone conversation. In order for me to attain this information I sent the following emails to obtain a copy of my signed and notarized contract.
(paychecks withheld from me as a contract singer for the company)
Total wages are: $620.00
November 28 90.00
December 5 90.00
December 12 90.00
December 18 90.00
December 31 160.00
January 8 90.00
September 2009. I was offered the position as a contract singer for the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers after my audition with them. The owners of the company stated verbally that my wages per performance would range from $80-$100 excluding New Year's Eve which would be around $300 as it is a special night of performance. Also, splitting tips received at showcases with the other singer. The owners explained to me that paychecks are cut each month on the 21st and are either mailed to the contracted employees or given to the contracted employee at their next performance.
Agreeing to the offer, I joined the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, signed the contract and had it notarized and began to drive 2 hours almost weekly to Carol Streams, Illinois and surrounding towns to perform with the company as their singer along side wife and co-owner of the company. In total, I received 2 paychecks from the company. My October paycheck and early November paycheck. Paychecks that have yet to be paid is my last performance of November, all of December, January and February.
My normal day of performances with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers is as follows:
1) drove my own car from (previous city, state I lived in) to Carol Streams, IL.
2) not reimbursed for mileage or gas
3) 4 hours spent performing
3) 4 hours of commuting spent per performance
4) Approximately 8 hours invested for each performance.
Performances were in these cities:
Winfield, Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
I continued to perform for several months making the drive from (previous city, state I lived in) to Illinois. On some performances, I had some friends come to see me sing and can attest to my employment with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers. After each performance, beginning at 8pm ending at 11pm, I would drive back to (previous city I lived in)(mind you, a 2 hour drive after midnight) or sleep at a friend's house in Wheaton, IL and on some rare occasions, I would stay at the company.On January 8, 2010 my last performance with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, I came into car issues as I was making the 2 hour drive home. At the time, I was driving a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am, working numerous part time jobs and performing as a living. My monthly income averaged out to $800 a month. Being extremely stressed out about my car matter, not having the income to repair it, I had come to the decision that I could no longer afford the unpaid 2 hour weekly drives to Illinois to perform with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers. It was at this time I had made the decision to move across the nation (city & state, blank for the purpose of privacy) to be with my family as I could no longer afford to live by myself in (previous city, state I lived in).
During my employment with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, I was extremely professional, showing up on time for all rehearsals and performances with all my materials prepared and following all rules and regulations of the company while on the job. The owners expressed that they were very impressed with me and promised me first dibs on all performances. I was proud to work with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers and had hopes of continuing my singing career with the company as long as I was able to sustain myself financially.
January 11, 2010. I made a phone call to the owners stating my car issue, financial dilemma, my concerns and my decision to quit the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers. This decision was made on account of my low income and not having the expenses to repair my vehicle. The owners expressed their anger by saying I am extremely unprofessional and disrespectful and threatened a fine against me for not putting in a two weeks notice. I expressed to them over and over again that this was a difficult decision to make but had to be made due to my car and not having any other way of transportation to Napperville, Illinois. I had no family where I was living who could drive me down to Illinois as my entire family lives (city & state, blank for the purpose of privacy) Showing no sympathy and understanding, the owners shouted over the phone "I want nothing to do with you" and hung up.
The "fine" as threatened by the owners of the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers was never described in full via the phone conversation. In order for me to attain this information I sent the following emails to obtain a copy of my signed and notarized contract.
January 27-29th I proceeded to follow up in regards to the paychecks owed to me and for a copy of my contract, emails are as followed:
Dear (Owner of the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers),
Hope you are well. I am looking forward to receiving the paycheck for the services I've done with the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers.
If the check has not been mailed already, please mail it to:
(My parent's address)
November 28 90.00
December 5 90.00
December 12 90.00
December 18 90.00
December 31 160.00
January 8 90.00
Thank You
On Friday Jan 29, 2010 at 3:44PM, I called The Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, they did not pick up and their mailbox was full and couldn't receive any messages.
January 29, 2010 the following email was sent:
Dear (Owners of the Chicago Honey Bear Dancers)
I am writing in regards to the lack of response to my email and phone calls having to do with my paycheck for the months of November and December.
I have yet to receive my paychecks for the end of November and December and am asking for a response on how this matter will be resolved by the end of business day on February 5th.
If I receive no response as to how this matter will be resolved by February 5th, I will be forced to take legal action. I hope this matter can be solved without this result, so I look forward to hearing from you both on this issue.
Also, I am requesting a copy of my employment contract with the Chicago Honey Bears Dancers by February 5th.
Sincerely,
No responses to this matter have been made from the Chicago Honey Bears Dancers. This report with a few minor editing details along with The Wage Claim Application, photographs of my performances with The Chicago Honey Bear Dancers and Letters of Witness, have been reported to the Illinois Department of Labor.
