During the 1990s and 2000s, wage theft was the most common workplace deception. In 2007, Article 145.1 of the Criminal Code was added, addressing the non payment of wages, pensions, benefits, and other earnings. Since then, such schemes have declined sharply, yet some employers still report only the official portion of salaries and promise the remainder in an envelope. They justify paying only the legally required portion while leaving the rest off the books. This pattern was discussed by lawyer Vladimir Atapin in an interview with socialbites.ca.
While it is clearly preferable to avoid joining a company that offers a small, visible wage and an unregulated, gray portion paid privately, employees who find themselves in this situation need a course of action. If a worker receives a salary that appears incomplete, it is essential to gather evidence showing that wages are paid in a gray format. Useful evidence can include audio or video recordings of conversations with managers, messages exchanged through instant messaging apps, and similar materials. It is also prudent to obtain corroboration from other employees who can testify to gray wage practices. According to the attorney, if there is credible evidence, the worker should file a report with the Investigation Committee, alleging a violation of labor rights.
There are additional common schemes used to mislead employees.
Some firms promise employment only after an internship, with the caveat that internships must be paid. Others implement a system of fines for minor violations. The expert stressed that the law does not permit fines against employees; only disciplinary actions explicitly allowed by the Labor Code are possible, such as reprimand, warning, or dismissal in accordance with the appropriate article.
Other scammers ask new hires to cover costs for equipment, professional training, or deposits for transferred materials. Fraudsters may pose as personnel intermediaries who guarantee a position in large companies for a small upfront fee.
A more modern tactic involves fraudsters gaining access to bank card information under the pretext of employment. They may request card data directly, direct applicants to a fake banking site, or lure them to a phishing page designed to harvest credentials.
Personal data may also be solicited to apply for credit. Applicants might be asked to complete an online form, upload a passport photo, or log in via SMS to verify identity.
When a salary offer appears two to three times higher than the norm for a basic role, caution is warranted. Serious businesspeople manage their expenses and do not overpay workers in the hopes of attracting applicants. A knowledgeable attorney emphasized this point to help workers assess genuine opportunities from scams.
Skepticism should extend to firms lacking transparent client or employee reviews, those with no physical offices, or locations that are hard to reach. If an unknown number calls or a message asks the recipient to call back or click a link, it is best not to engage. Links can install malware or gain unauthorized access to mobile banking, and toll-free numbers may hide a scam behind a code claim.
There are folks who recall past life hacks about recovering money for repairs, underscoring a broad spectrum of deceptive tactics in the employment landscape.