‘Do the right thing’: Employees claim owner owes thousands after abrupt salon shutdown
Jan 6, 2025, 8:34 PM
RIVERTON, Utah — Employees of Frenchies Modern Nail Care in Riverton are filing wage claims with Utah labor authorities, claiming they have not been paid for weeks of work after the salon abruptly closed in early December.
Former employees said they were told the salon was closing on Dec. 4 — the same day it shut its doors — through a text message sent to customers. Kay Fox, a former nail technician, called her former boss’s behavior “cowardly.” She added, “I don’t understand how you could do this to people and run from it.”
The KSL Investigators found Michael Rigtrup listed as the president and franchise owner in business registration documents.
According to Fox, Rigtrup initially promised to pay employees by mid-December, but the money never came. Some employees are still struggling to find new jobs and scrambling to make ends meet, particularly during the holidays.
Frenchies Corporate told the KSL Investigators that financial responsibility falls on Rigtrup, not the corporate company. The statement read in part, “We have been in contact with the owner and advised them of proper closing procedures and expectations. We are hopeful the business owner will settle the matters responsibly.”
Rigtrup would not speak to the KSL Investigators on record.
Eric Olsen with the Utah Labor Commission explained that employees can file claims with the Utah Anti-Discrimination and Labor Division. From there, Olsen said an investigator is assigned the case to determine if the claims have merit.
Olsen added that penalties for unpaid wages can be steep, up to 5% of their owed pay per day for 20 days after the final order. Last year, the Utah Labor Commission processed 1,266 claims and collected over three-quarters of a million dollars in unpaid wages, returning the money to employees where it belongs.
However, in 2024, 61% of claims resulting in an order to pay ended up at the Office of State Debt Collections (OSDC), while 39% were resolved within 30 days.
Under Utah law, employers must pay wages within 24 hours of separating an employee from the payroll, as specified in Utah Code §34-28-5, making the unpaid wages at Frenchies a clear violation if claims are validated by investigators.
Former employees remain hopeful their claims will be resolved, but some are disheartened by the lack of communication from Rigtrup. Christina, another former employee, shared her thoughts on the matter, saying, “I would say, do the right thing. Just pay your employees. Ethically, we worked for you, for the customers, for the brand. The least you can do is just give us what we earned.”
What to do if your boss owes you money
If your employer owes you wages, follow these steps to file a claim with the Utah Labor Commission:
- Obtain the Wage Claim Assignment Form: Download the form from the Utah Labor Commission’s website at laborcommission.utah.gov or pick it up in person. You can also file online at webaccess.laborcommission.utah.gov/wageclaim/, or print and complete the form in English or Spanish.
- Complete the form: Fill out all required sections and gather supporting documents, such as:
- Pay stubs
- Work orders
- Contracts or agreements
- Schedules or timecards
- Submit your claim: Submit the completed form online, in person, by mail, via fax, or email. The Wage Claim Unit can be reached at:
- 160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 146630
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6630 - Phone: 801-530-6801
- Fax: 801-530-7609
- Email: wcu@utah.gov
- 160 East 300 South, 3rd Floor
- Act promptly: Claims must be filed within one year of when the wages were earned, as outlined in Utah Code §34-28-9.
For detailed instructions and additional assistance, visit laborcommission.utah.gov.
Have you experienced something you think just isn’t right? The KSL Investigators want to help. Submit your tip at investigates@ksl.com or 385-707-6153 so we can get working for you.
