Where can I find out my rights as an employee? (My previous boss has not paid me for 3 months)?

I live and work in New York City.


some details that may or may not be helpful:

I was hired as a freelance web & Flash designer to work on a per-project basis for a small (~4 employee) design company.

I was paid an hourly wage and worked basically 9-to-5 for about six weeks, completing two large projects.

The only non-verbal proof I have of employment are their e-mails asking for individual tasks and thanking me for my services (at the e-mail address they gave to me at their domain), and the invoices and hours I've sent to them, the latest of which they have acknowledged, but continue to put off,

Thank you to any that can help or provide any insight...

Sounds like a case for the People's Court!

This falls under more of a nonpayment for services rather than a labor issue. Since, by definition, you were not employed then Labor Board wont touch it. Im sure you did not fill out any I9 or any other tax form or any paperwork as an "employee" You are considered contracted work and when a contractor is not paid for services, they sue.

go to www.osha.gov for worker's rights Then go to www.bbb.org to see if you can look up info on the company . Next seek an attorney if legal action is needed. Word of caution--before seeking legal action besure to weight the cost of the lawsuit verses the possible settlement you would receive.

Uh oh, sounds like you were working under the table.

If you were freelance, I hope it was under some written agreed contract. if no written contract, then talk with a lawyer.

That sucks! Small claims court maybe? Depends on how much they owe you and what your jurisdiction deems a small claim. No lawyers in small claims, so that would be good. If they paid you for your hours and then stopped paying you, you could use what they paid you before as proof of your rate.

But it sounds like maybe they never paid you at all - in which case I'd bring proof of the going rate for your area, skill level, and client type and expect the court to order that.

I think you have a winnable case in small claims court, in other words.