Hello. I have been contacted from my previous employer regarding "breaking and entering" a spa that I worked at as of last week. Here are the details:
I did not call in or show up on a Thursday in the beginning of December. That night, the owner was to leave for vacation unbeknownst to me, so she had to hire another person to take my place to fill my shift. I am an employee with a medical license in the State of Ohio. I called and texted her the next day, which was a Friday, stating that I would like to discuss what happened the day previous, and would like to also pick up my paycheck, as it was payday. I received no reply. I then entered the spa the next night, being Saturday, around 7 pm with my boyfriend who rode with me in the car. I had a key, so I entered simply to find my check. It was nowhere to be found, and I did not ransack the place or anything, just opened the drawers that I knew would have normally held my paycheck. When they were not there, I left a note stating that I was quitting, because I had started a new job on the day that I did not call in. It also stated that I felt my job was at risk because of the lack of revenue the spa was making, so I made the choice to start a new job. The note said that I would mail my key in upon receipt of my last check. I left the note on the owner's desk and left.
Monday of that next week, I received a text from the owner stating that I had completely screwed her over and that I was not allowed back into the spa. Completely understandable, so I replied "Uh huh. I'll mail my key." I waited until Friday to text her inquiring about the whereabouts of my last paycheck, and received a response stating that she "reviewed video" and said that she was considering pressing charges for breaking and entering, because I supposedly entered the spa after I quit. I called the police station in the city that the spa is, and they had no police reports. I then left a voicemail on her phone simply stating that I received her text, explained that I decided to quit when I entered the spa looking for my paycheck, and that I expected my paycheck to be given to me by the following Wednesday, or I would take further action. Further action meant that I would contact the Ohio Department of Labor. I left this open because I did not want to make her feel as though I was threatening her at all.
I received a text about an hour later stating that she in fact is going to press charges and that I am not allowed to call or text her or the spa. There are still no police reports in my or her name, and I still have not received my paycheck. I am sending my key certified mail to her today, and am awaiting a reply from the ODOL.
If charges are pressed, does she have enough to take me to court? Did I trespass even though I did have a key? And I'm 99% positive there are no video cameras, but if there are, it would prove that I was there to look for my paycheck, before she told me to not enter the spa again. Trespassing is clearly defined as entering without permission, and I was never told I could not enter the spa on my own accord, I had no malicious intent, I did not take anything, and I did not cause physical harm to anything or anyone. Does she have anything on me? I really don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with a fourth degree misdemeanor trial.
I was not given an employee handbook with policies regarding quitting, and if she is considering me not showing up for work one day quitting, then she is creating a double standard for herself, as other employees have done the same more than once, and came back to work the next day without contacting the owner.
If anyone could give me any information regarding this ridiculous matter, it would be greatly appreciated!![]()

