Future Uncertain for Cachengo Employees Following Lay Off

For many, taking a job with Cachengo was like a shot at a new life, full of untold possibilities and career growth.

Some had sold everything they owned and moved to Carroll County from out of state, for a shot at what they thought was a reliable future.

Employees continue to reach out to Carroll County Observer about their experience.

No employee who spoke wanted their identity revealed, due to what they described as fears of possible legal action.

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One worker said, “I was operating out of fear because I have children. But I’m not scared anymore. They’ve taken everything they can from me.”

They reported that, for a while, everything was great.

“It was like a dream come true,” one former employee said.

Cachengo furnished many of its employees housing, transportation, phones, and even paid for full health benefits.

But in the weeks leading up to November, workers said paychecks began arriving late, then stopped altogether.

“I showed up every day under duress, hoping the next check would come,” one employee said. “I’d never experienced anything like this.”

The dream became more uncertain when the company’s leadership was fired in an apparent shareholder revol t. The following week, employees across many departments were furloughed.

This brought on more questions, especially for those who live in company housing and drive company vehicles.

Workers alleged that they received eviction notices.

“They told us to vacate immediately through an email from HR,” said an employee.

Some have reported that they’ve been given until the end of January to move out.

Still, it’s alleged that some are being forced out.

They reported losing electricity and other services without warning.

“They started turning people’s power off,” they said. “I rushed to the electric department to get it in my name so [we] wouldn’t freeze.”

Following the furlough, employees were reportedly also locked out of internal systems, pay portals, and communication channels.

“They deleted things from our emails and blocked us out of paychecks,” one employee alleged.

A GoFundMe page that was launched by a high-ranking member of Cachengo’s business leadership after the layoffs appears to echo many of those claims.

It says that employees have gone more than three pay periods without receiving wages and have lost both income and health benefits.

The fundraiser page says the goal is to provide immediate help with housing, food, childcare, medical costs, and transportation while former employees search for new work.

It has received $100 from the company’s financial officer.

But for employees, receiving back pay alone won’t fix the problems they allege the situation has created.

Several said their credit scores have plummeted, bills have gone unpaid, housing is uncertain, and the financial damage may follow them long after the company’s future is resolved.

Carroll County Observer has made several attempts to contact Cachengo for comment through their website’s “contact us”, and through their local phone number, as well as a California-based phone number attributed to the company.

No attempt has been successful.

Any renter in Tennessee, including those living in employer-provided housing, should understand their rights.

State law outlines formalities for evictions, handling utilities, and other important details of the tenant-landlord relationship.

The renter-rights guide below offers more details for anyone needing information.

HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf Download

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Future Uncertain for Cachengo Employees Following Lay Off

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