Ive been working for my fathers cable contracting business for the past 9 years. I worked during breaks from high school and college from the age of 17 and full-time after college, and have always taken on a lot of responsibility, certainly at times a lot more than Id ever handled before. For example I fell into a supervisory positions to help start projects with teams of guys by the time I was 18 years old. Responsibilities would include interviewing hiring / training / running a route, and also making sure that the routes get done. Recently weve taken on a different type of work where we re-wire apartment complexes in another part of the state. I moved over from routes, and took on the responsibility of doing these jobs, since they had to be done to very good detail. My younger brother who has worked for the company on and off for probably a cumulative time period of 3 months actually ran one of the first smaller projects with my father before he left for another job and graduate school. I jumped in for him when he left, even though Ive been doing this type of work for a long time. After doing work that the cable company has really liked, we recieved more work, and when I went to go survey the complexes, my father said, Hey, these jobs will be great, why dont we pay you 10-15% off the invoice.I started the jobs under the impression I was going to be paid this amount of money, which was very exciting for me. So months in, after another project, I asked him the details again of the incentive, and he said he meant 10% of the gross profit.So months later after finishing a few projects I created spreadsheets outlining total business expenses for the projects versus total invoice so the profit was very clear. So I mentioned to him again that Id done that and he said that hed have to review it in detail because there were other expenses that he had to include such as his insurance and other things that I wasnt taking into account, but that he would get back to me on it.So months later again I mentioned it and same thing pretty much, hell get back to me.So now, so deathly afraid to ask, because I was nervous he was trying to side step me and that it really upsets me because its my own father and not only am i disappointed that he would have business ethics like that but that he would try to rip his own son off, I casually just mentioned while on the topic of invoices that I was nervous to bring it up but I was just wondering what he wanted to do with that.Basically he said the same thing that hes gonna have to look at it but that because Ive been paid salary, and there were weeks that I didnt work the full 40 hours and I since I went on a vacation, and since Im also taking a class online for graduate school and some work days I havent been at the jobsite, that the money has been taken from any "bonus" or anything that he had promised me. So its not looking good but hell have to look into it.So then my mom got on the phone and basically just said that money is tight right now and that if I was told and promised that I would get paid that money than I should get paid, but that now is not a good time to be talking about money because things are tight right now. That makes me feel a lot better I think my mom is a much better business person.I explained to them that I really dont want any money from them, and that Id rather just drop the issue if it was going to come between us. And that I was simply asking. Having them as parents and having a good relationship to me is not worth ruining over 5000 or 10000 dollars.After my mom said this, he then was like, yeah sure, well work it out, well figure it out, youll get paid, well sit down and figure it out.I am devastated by this. How do I handle it? How can my dad be so crooked. He says he is an upfront business man but I cant believe he would try to do this? Ive heard in the past that people have tried to go against my dad in court for not being a fair boss, but all Ive ever heard from him and my mom is that these people were messed up and out to get him because they wanted something for nothing. I believe thats true but I am starting to wonder now for the first time if my dad is kind of a shiesty business person.Am I in the wrong? Help!.--Answer1:Poison your fathers cereal so youll inherit his business.--Answer2:wow thats alot to read, but in a very simple answer. That is why i would never work with a family member..--Answer3:That is the reason you shouldnt work with family but yes he is doing you dirty..--Answer4:Your dad sucks and I think you are right to feel the way you do but theres nothing you can do except understand some business. The only good part of this is that you have learned a great lesson. You can never assume what kind of compensation you will receive. Everything needs to be talked about and maybe even written on a contract and signed. And the other thing is that you should have been getting paid every couple of weeks. It would be crazy for your dad to just be holding on to all of this cash until it reached 5 or 10 thousand.The other idea is that 10-15% of the invoice is usually the total profit for a company. So if he held true to giving you that, then you would take ALL the profits and no one else would get paid. I could see him giving you a bonus per job, but once again those things need to be talked about before hand.The best thing to do is to change the way that YOU assume things and make sure that everything you do is out in the open and all parties involved are aware of the exact agreement. Ive had a few situations with family members and its very difficult to collect payment when things are not discussed.Just remember to make everything clear in a contract and get paid frequently..--Answer5:I think your dad started with good intentions but like your mom said, money got tight and since youre family, he doesnt feel as obligated to follow through on his commitment. The fact that hes looking for reasons not to pay you means youll have to get nasty to get your money which I dont think you want to do. However, youve learned a lesson about getting things in writing and holding people accountable ESPECIALLY when its family. Sounds like you have a lot of expertise. Id start looking for a company that will truly value what you have to offer..--Answer6:Like the other 3 answers said that is one reason u should never work with family,friends or lend a family member or friend money. It does sound like he is trying to avoid the issue. But as ur mom said money is tight for them right now. And he is ur father just consider how many years he took care of u and all the things he has done for u. It doesnt hurt to help him out if he needs it, does it? Im sure ur dad never meant to do u dirty but things just probably got tight and him being a man his pride didnt know how to tell you. So just explain to him that the whole money thing wouldnt be such an issue if he would have just been up front with you. Let him know that u totally understand their situation right now and you guys can discuss it when things start looking up for his business. They are ur parents and it sounds like u all have a good relationship so the money hardly seems worth ruining that. Good Luck!!!!