When I graduated from University my father gave me a job offer working for his small business. He knew that I had debt and I was out of the country at the time. I budgeted some continuing travel which I knew would increase my credit card debt, but I calculated I would be able to repay it in full after 3-6 months. However without telling me, he started charging me half the income as rent. It went from a 3-6 month repayment, to 18 months later not even having hit the principle. Was this a reasonable expectation that I had that if I had never paid rent to my father for my entire life, I would not have to pay it after I started working for him?
Also I was not paid for 6 months
Highly dependent where this happened. Nonetheless; that’s a huge issue where an employer cannot make deductions ‘by surprise’ in the US.
ESH – welcome to adulthood where you have to pay rent and pay off debts before having luxuries like travel. You’re TA for expecting to live rent free with your family but your dad also sucks for not discussing it with you first and setting out expectations and agreeing a rent price.
Sounds like a mix tbh. He didn’t tell you the amount of rent and you didn’t look at your paycheck for that long.
ESH
This is probably not legal.
But he gave you a job and a place to live. Did you think the place to live would be free?
Why don’t people talk about things? lol
NAH. It sounds like your dad expected you to contribute to the household you live in as soon as you started working, thats normal in some households, i know it was for me once i turned 18 but he really should have had a conversation with you first.
Time to find a new job!
The expectation of whether you’d pay rent to your parents varies across cultures and countries. So, only you know whether it was reasonable to have that expectation.
You graduated and you were travelling using credit card debt right? So present that repayment plan to your father and show him how much you’d save in interest fees if you pay it off in the short span and see if he is open to working with you on delaying the rent payments.
How much does he actually charge compared to what you could rent a place for? There isn’t an expectation that you live rent free after graduation. If “half your income” is $1k and you couldn’t get a place for that, you’re coming out ahead. If half your income is $3k and you could get your own place for $1500, you should consider doing that.
Tell him to make sure that he is claiming that money on his taxes
I feel like it depends what he’s paying and what the rent is
INFO: How long has this been going on?
I doubt an employer in Canada can just make deductions from your paycheck without your agreement. It would be one thing if he paid you, and then charges you rent, but simply deduction your living costs is likely illegal.
You need to talk to him and let him know that you need a contract for pay, and a contract for rent, but he can’t unilaterally decide to subtract living expenses from your paycheck.
NTA. It’s not unreasonable to pay rent as an adult, even if living with your parents. It’s unreasonable to garnish wages based on undisclosed terms of employment/habitation.
I’d wonder why they did this. Is it to teach a lesson? Is it because they’re practical or raised this way, or are they taking advantage? They could easily be taking advantage, especially if they’re paying a low-wage and asking for more in rent than what you living at home costs them in extra expenses.
NTA
He should have communicated his expectations.
You are being exploited. Gather as much proof as you can of your work situation. Go to the work tribunal/similar where you are and file a complaint. Look for jobs elsewhere and make your escape as soon as possible. Stop spending money you don’t have for now. Talk to family who can help you with a loan to get out and go elsewhere.