Paid for travel time? Also, Contractor vs Employee CO

[phoenixcries]

Hello. I'll try to make this brief.

I worked at a maid company in Colorado for a few days, and quit in disgust over how they operate the business, and exploit their employees. I was told I would be making $8.50 an hour, plus .23 per mile I drove for the company. I just received my check, and the owner has only paid me for the time I was inside the houses. I requested a copy of my timesheet, and I was told that they didn't have one for me. I did fill one out, and they got the time info from somewhere...

When I mentioned that I think there is a law that requires her to pay me for the time I travel between houses as an hourly employee, she said, "Nope."
I found the DOL site, and see there is a law, but what do I do to get her to pay me accurately? It isn't much but I refuse to be a victim.
Thanks!

Also she has a staff of 8-12 women who she calls contractors, but she provides all materials and equipment, and sets work hours and procedures.
Can I do anything about that? These girls make about $10 a house, and with no pay for travel, I am certain they are not making min. wage. not to mention worker's comp, etc.

[Pattymd]

Yes, there is such a law. http://www.dol.gov/dol/allcfr/ESA/Ti...9CFR785.38.htm

Plus, I do not see how the workers could be considered independent contractors. I had such a service once, and the company provided the supplies, made the appointments for the workers, supervised their work, the workers had no opportunity to incur a personal financial loss, or to make a profit from their work, etc.
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc762.html

This employer sounds like a real piece of work. You can file a claim for unpaid wages (for your travel time between homes) with your state Dept. of Labor.

[phoenixcries]

Thank you so much Pattymd! I am really angry over this whole thing! I wonder, if I was to call someone about the contractor thing, who would I place the call to?
The IRS, DOL or the Federal DOL?
These girls know that something's wrong with the operation, but they are afraid and uneducated about legal matters. I want to help them.
Thanks again!