CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After receiving a number of calls and e-mails from viewers reporting not getting paid where they work, Channel 9 looked further into the issue and found that complaints from unpaid workers are up across the state.

North Carolina’s Department of Labor got 1,348 complaints from unpaid workers in the past three months, which is up 34 percent from the same period last year.

“From fast food to restaurants to construction, to grocery stores -- you name it, we get it,” Jim Taylor, with North Carolina's Department of Labor, said.

Cheri Thomas said she finally decided to leave her job doing medical transcription in October after 2 1/2 months of no paychecks.

Thomas worked for DIT Transcription in Fort Mill.

“I mean, it caused a lot of stress, and that's when I decided to draw the line,” she said. “You know, at some point, it's better just to go ahead and cut your loss.”

Thomas said she received a check from her former employer last week, but said it’s for a fraction of what she’s owed.

“The check was for $325.60, and I'm still owed $986.60,” she said.

Taylor said his office is hearing more complaints.

“They weren't paid on the regular pay day; they weren't paid what they were promised,” Taylor said.

Kenny Colbert, who works at the Employers’ Association in south Charlotte, hears the other side of the story from companies that can’t pay workers.

“[They say], ‘We have no money, or we're down to our last dollars,’” Colbert said. “’Can we delay paying our employees or what do we do about that?’”

Colbert said in many cases, there really is no money. But when there is, he said it must go to workers.

“If there are funds available, the money needs to be paid to the employees in the form of wages,” he said. “A company just can't decide, ‘I think I'm going to buy this piece of equipment instead of paying wages.”

VIDEO: Colbert Explains Companies' Obligation To Employees

Colbert and Taylor said workers should be aware of red flags that employers may have money trouble and should start asking questions if they notice them.

• Employees’ hours are cut

• The company makes temporary layoffs

• The company can't pay its other bills

“I would certainly have a conversation with my supervisor, my manager, my HR department, to find out how solvent are we, are we going to be able to meet payroll?” Colbert said.

VIDEO: Experts Discuss Red Flags For Employees

DIT Transcription hasn't responded to WSOC-TV’S phone calls. But there are online complaints from other DIT workers who claim the company still owes them money.

The South Carolina Department of Labor said it has received six official wage complaints against DIT Transcription.

Thomas has filed a small claim in an attempt to get the money she’s owed.

Now, she has advice for others in similar situations.

“In hindsight, I would never have worked that long without receiving a paycheck,” Thomas said.

Colbert and Taylor echoed that, advising workers who aren’t getting paid not to stick around.

They said these types of situations sometimes resolve themselves, but not often.

To file a Labor Department complaint about unpaid wages: (Note: Complaints of this nature must be made on the phone, not online.)

• In N.C. 800-625-2267

• In S.C. 803-896-7756, press 6