As we begin to recruit apprentices/junior house painters into the company during the winter, the industry's annual season of scarcity, we are struck by how often applicants describe the need for timely and consistent wages as the predominant reason for their job search.

The bane of our industry continues to be its black/gray market status, where work is often performed under the table, liability and workers' compensation insurance is seen as an unnecessary expense, and wages are paid at the owner's convenience.

We have, over the past year, encountered these situations:

• Wages 3 months past due;
• Cash-in-hand employees handed 1099s and told they have been reclassified as subcontractors, now liable for all income received;
• Wages denied to due to lack of profit(!)

Most employees (I use that term loosely), once they have entered an under-the-table arrangement, are held hostage to their own status as tax evaders and so do not seek assistance from federal or state authorities.  Little wonder then, that they seek not just reliable employment, but reliable compensation.