Oh I wish HR didn't have to know....

[DUMBAGAIN]

I doubled checked with my attorney and was told in our district the trustee does require payments to be payroll deducted. I understand that's the safest way to ensure payments will be on time, but man I don't want my job to know....I really don't care if the payroll department knows, as I don't any of them, they are in another location, however I think they tell HR who tells me so I know my check will be effected, (DUH I will know don't you think)...

Have anyone encountered any issues at work due to Chapter 13??

[Flamingo]

You should not encounter any problems with a wage order. They are done all the time for child support, garnishments (judgments), etc. so payroll departments are used to all that. Also, that information is private and everyone at your company has signed a confidentiality agreement protecting company and employee information. Those folks in Payroll or HR (HR has access to all payroll information and will find out as documentation will come in the mail from the bankruptcy court) cannot disclose your information to anyone inside or outside the company. I wouldn't lose any sleep over the situation.

[spearmint]

You should not encounter any problems with a wage order. They are done all the time for child support, garnishments (judgments), etc. so payroll departments are used to all that. Also, that information is private and everyone at your company has signed a confidentiality agreement protecting company and employee information. Those folks in Payroll or HR (HR has access to all payroll information and will find out as documentation will come in the mail from the bankruptcy court) cannot disclose your information to anyone inside or outside the company. I wouldn't lose any sleep over the situation.

I wouldn't be so sure they do not disclose it to others. In my case the HR manager reports to my boss and I am darned sure he would disclose it to my boss in my case.

[Flamingo]

I wouldn't be so sure they do not disclose it to others. In my case the HR manager reports to my boss and I am darned sure he would disclose it to my boss in my case.

Pull out your employee handbook and get a copy of the company's conflidentiality agreement that everyone signs and any privacy policies. Most companies have all that online that you can pull up and read/review or you can ask HR for a copy. You may also want to find out your company's policy on how payroll information is treated/disclosed as maybe between the employee's supervisor/boss as they do have access to your personnel file. In situations where one is going to have constant worry over the situation, the best thing to do is to have a private conversation with your boss and be honest about the entire situation. Or with your HR Manager/Supervisor. All companies have someone having money withheld for bankruptcies, child support, payments for judgments, etc., etc.

[beam14]

If you feel it will give you a lot of pain have your attorney try and get the trustee to waive the wage order and possibly set up a EFT from checking account. He can only say no but it does not hurt to ask.

I also would not be embarrassed or ashamed of filing Chapter 13 as you are getting your life together and taking care of business. I would be more ashamed of continuing to aquire debt and do nothing.

Good Luck!!

Beam14

[oldhack]

I believe it would be against the law for anyone in your HR department to disseminate or discuss your bankruptcy status, or to use it to adversely affect your job.

[pcn]

I know all the responses are well intentioned, and based on interpretation of the law, but it almost seems like some might be wearing their rose colored glasses too much. I've worked a few jobs in medium sized companies, and just like in all other parts of life, people talk. I think it gives some people a power rush, while others just can't shut up. The reality is that what the law says and what happens in the real world are sometimes not exactly that same. Going into this and thinking no one will ever know is naive. All it takes is one person and it will be out there.

[Flamingo]

I know all the responses are well intentioned, and based on interpretation of the law, but it almost seems like some might be wearing their rose colored glasses too much. I've worked a few jobs in medium sized companies, and just like in all other parts of life, people talk. I think it gives some people a power rush, while others just can't shut up. The reality is that what the law says and what happens in the real world are sometimes not exactly that same. Going into this and thinking no one will ever know is naive. All it takes is one person and it will be out there.

We are usually our own worst enemy. People overhear conversations on the phone at work even though you think no one is around or folks take notice that one has been taking a lot of time off recently for appointments or on the phone more than usual. However, say a person has not breathed a word on the work phone or taken any time off work for appointments, etc. and submitted wage order info to Payroll. A few days later you overhear your situation being discussed in the lunchroom, bathroom, elevator, etc. Unless your name appeared in the newspaper for filing BK prior to your employer receiving the information to deduct wages from your paycheck, you have a leak in your payroll dept. You can have the matter investigated and the person reprimanded or even fired for disclosing that information. All you have to do is go to your boss or HR Director. Most people are not that stupid to leak information and risk their jobs but take them out to happy hour and give them a few beers and it all may come out. These are things that can and do happen but can drive one nuts with worry. It never hurts to sit down and talk to one's boss or HR Director about the situation and how it bothers you and you don't want to worry about the workplace finding out.

Our state requires payroll deduction for Chapter 13 payments; however, if you have a good lawyer as we did, you might be able to send in a certified check each month instead of payroll deduction. Advise your attorney you are afraid of repercussions at your job if a wage order was placed and your attorney may check with the trustee to see if something else can be done. But don't get your hopes up too high because this is a common worry and the Trustees want to ensure they receive their payments and payroll deduction is the best way to ensure they are received and on time.