Work hasn't paid me

[Icecreamandsunscreen]

This isn't an AIBU, I'm posting here for traffic. If there's a better section for this thread please let me know, I mainly just lurk here.

Mid July I got a new job, had been out of work a while so I was over the moon.
They said it would be part time until the start of September (but didn't specify date) that the hours would be very as and when until then, they would just let me know when they needed me at the start of the week.
I thought fine because I needed a job and this was a good one.
I didn't sign a contract.

They took my bank details and I asked when they would pay me a few times they said because I wasn't working very often they would do it all in one go after a few weeks, very vague but I didn't want to push it.

I worked around 17 hours in total, it was just a few hours 1-2 days a week.

17 August I get an email saying they were having a quiet period, the director is away and they wouldn't need me until September, that when the director is back he will confirm my start date.
I emailed back about pay, I sent the director the hours I had worked (small company so director does pay roll) they said because director is away they couldn't do anything until he is back on 1st September.

Not ideal but I thought ok, they had said multiple times that it would be a full time job soon, they had given me things to go over for September, I thought that's when i'll get a proper contract ect

1st September I email them (we always corrapond through emails) asking about start date and pay. No response. Tried calling. Engaged. Still no response, nobody's picked up phone.
Company website still up, still posting from social media, still have events going on this week.

I have no idea what to do, it's still early September so not sure if it's just bad communication on their part and they're busy and they actually do intend for me to start soon and pay me. (That's what friends keep saying) because I literally am driving my self crazy.
Or they've changed their mind about me.

I have no idea where to go from here, how long to wait, what to do if they still don't respond to me, when to look for a new job.
Can I put this on my CV? It was so hard for me to even get this job so another blank 2 months is not going to help.

I don't know what I can do about the pay, who to get in touch with, can they get away with just not paying me? All I have as proof is emails.

I'm in limbo right now, I'm such a mess I really needed this job.

YANBU to be very concerned about this

I'd send a strongly worded email asking when pay date is; what the process is & where your money is

I've just emailed again letting them know I tried to ring and I'm concerned over what's happening. I'm just not sure how long to wait for them to get in contact with me?

Can you physically go there and talk to someone? I would, then it will probably all be sorted out. Just say you've had trouble getting in touch and were passing.

What kind of company and work is this? It sounds suspiciously like they have been just using you to fill in gaps and there is no full-time job at all.

I could go in there yes, that thought absolutely terrifies me because I'm just not a confrontational person but it's something I would do if I had to, how long should I wait before that though?

It's an office job that runs courses for the public.

Go but don't be confrontational. Just say you needed to clarify start date/payment and happemed to be passing so you thought you'd pop in

I would go along physically

but do you want to work for them after this?

even if they aren't going bust, it sounds like they don't know their arse from their elbow. If you can afford it, I'd look for another job and send a letter demanding your pay, saying you will get a solicitor if they don't pay you.

If the director is really the only one that can sort it out and only got back on the 1st I would wait until tomorrow, even with a weekend that should be plenty of time to sort it out.

I would definitely go to their offices and find out what's going on. It doesn't have to be a confrontation, they might just be putting you to the back of the queue for things they consider 'more important'.

It's harder for them to ignore you if you're standing in their doorway :)

Thanks for your replies, how long do you think I should leave it until I go in? Shall I go this week?
And does anyone know if I can put this on my CV as it was only 2 months?

This is really unprofessional and quite dodgy. Do as Goldfish suggests and call in in a I was just passing sort of way, rather than a where the fuck is my money way. even if it is only a little company, if they have taken you on you should be paid (even for a few random hours) through the normal payroll. Insist on a written contract before you do any more for them. You can try Citizens Advice for advice, or even ACAS. A verbal agreement is equally as binding as a written contract ( though harder to prove), do you have everything that they agreed with you in email form?

I have multiple emails from them, arranging what hours they need me to come in and as said above emails saying they will confirm my start date for September and is it ok to wait till the director is back on the 1st to pay me.

go in tomorrow
but get a proper contract before doing any more work

Just regarding your CV yes you can put it on there as it is work that you have done. You may just need to put a point about it being more of a casual position.