May 29, 2018

The WGAW Wants You to Get Paid on Time

THE RULES

When you start a job, you must be paid your weekly rate no later than the Company’s next regular payday after your start date. For example, if you begin work on Monday June 4th and the Company’s next regular payday is Friday June 15th, that is when you should receive your first pay check. If you do not, interest may start to accrue at 1.5% per month or 18% per year.

THE FORMS

Please ask for and complete your start paperwork ASAP. This is the best way to ensure you are paid on time.

To get paid on time, you must provide the Company with the following forms. If you have not received your forms by day one of a new job, you must ask. You can get the forms from your agent or the Company’s Business Affairs Department. Your show captain or the assistants on your show or at your agency can also help you get them.

  1. START/CLOSE FORM
    A simple, one-page form stating the date you started work.
  2. IRS FORMS:
    • W-9 if you have a loanout company
    • W-4 for direct hire
    • I-9 plus copies of your DRIVERS LICENSE or PASSPORT and your SOCIAL SECURITY CARD.
  3. LOANOUT DOCUMENTS VERIFICATION FORM
    Writers with loanout companies must fill out this additional form to provide proof of incorporation.
  4. A COPY OF YOUR SIGNED CONTRACT
    Although your actual contract may not be ready for signature when you start a job, in most cases, other documentation can be used, including:
    • A signed Certificate of Authorship;
    • A deal memo between your agents and the company; or
    • An invoice from your agents for your weekly work on the show.

GET HELP

If you haven’t been paid on time, please call the WGAW Late Pay Desk at (323) 782-4521. A Guild Rep will conduct an initial investigation and in many cases resolve the matter informally.

If you finally got paid, please consider filing a claim for late pay interest, which can act as a deterrent for future late pay problems at the company. We’ll need your start date, the dates you completed paperwork and signed contracts, and the date you finally got paid. We’re here to help.