My former employer, who failed to pay its workers (myself included) so consistently that the total wages and penalties owed is well into 6 figures, has finally shut down. The lawsuits that prompted this move are ongoing, so the situation will continue to be a source of stress, and there is virtually no chance that I will receive a dime of what is owed to me, but it has been shut down, and cannot inflict harm upon a new person ever again.
I once considered some of the people involved to be family. The person who is primarily responsible for the downfall of this institution that I loved and was part of in some capacity since I was 16, is the greatest example of this. 10 years ago, I thought of her as an additional mother. Today I think of her as an enemy. There are other people who I care about whose friendship I have likely lost forever as a result of my efforts against the institution. That makes me sad. But I did what had to be done. My only regret is that I didn't do more, sooner, and maybe I could have helped more people avoid falling into her trap.
Today was a good day.
