Local Steak ’n Shake worker says his paycheck comes up short

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A restaurant employee said he is owed hundreds of dollars for unpaid work, and so far, he hasn’t been able to resolve it at the local or corporate level.

Joey Smith was emotional when he spoke to News Center 7’s Monica Castro about the issue and what happened when he tried reaching the company for answers.

The longtime employee of the Steak ’n Shake in Sugarcreek Twp. said he works double shifts and doesn’t mind.

“I’ve had management tell me they’re concerned with the amount of hours I've worked, but at the end of the day it’s my passion, it’s not just my job,” he said.

Smith said he worked 148 hours and only got paid for about 74 of those hours.

“This is my paycheck. As you see at $9.50 an hour I received 27.26 hours. At my server rate at $4.30 an hour, I received almost 10 hours. Again, additionally at $8.55 I received 37 hours out of 148,” he said.

Smith said he not only spoke to his store managers, but has contacted corporate to rectify the issue.

But they haven’t gotten back to him. News Center 7 also reached out to the corporate office, but hasn’t heard back either.

“I hope Steak ’n Shake will take me seriously and realize I’m not making this up,” he said.

How much does Smith think he is owed?

“About $700 to $800 with doing the math and the overtime I would have received. ... That’s additional to the $540 I actually received," he said.

Aside from Smith’s issue, the Indianapolis-based restaurant chain has temporarily closed several locations in the Miami Valley.

News Center 7 previously reported the restaurants will transition from corporate owned to franchises.

The Middletown location was forced to close temporarily due to health code violations.

Because of the burger chain’s troubles, Smith said he wants other workers to pay attention to their paychecks.

“I’m scared other people are going to experience this with all the closings we’re experiencing with Steak ’n Shake. It’s unfortunate. They shouldn’t do this to the people still sticking with them,” he said.

Smith said he is considering getting a lawyer to help him. In the meantime, he requested time stamps and surveillance footage so he can send those to corporate.

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