What Exactly is the FFCM and What Can It Do For Me?

Dear Compliance Man,

I recently received a letter from you people in the mail. It had my name, the company I’ve been working for and the project we’re working on. Then it had the amount of money I guess I’m supposed to be making, but what I am getting is a lot less than that. So I have two questions. First of all, how did you get my name, and second, how do I get the amount of money that I should be getting?

–Real confused in Reading

Dear Reading:

Thanks for writing! The Foundation For Fair Contracting of Massachusetts sends out tens of thousands of letters like the one you describe to workers just like you.

State law requires that contractors who get public money to work on construction projects—roads, libraries, schools, fire stations, etc—submit payroll records to the cities and towns that employ them. These records include your name and the amount that your employer says that you’re earning. In our capacity as a ‘watchdog’ group, we show you that number so you can check it against what you’re really making—the amount that shows up on your paycheck each week.

Now, for the second part of your question. If there is a difference between your personal bottom line and what your boss says you’re making, you’ll want to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office.

For more information on how to do just that, give us a call at 1-877-507-3247, email us at info@ffcm.org, or fill out this electronic form.

For more commonly asked Compliance Man questions, visit the Compliance Man archives. Send your question to info@ffcm.org.