Employer Refusing To Pay Final Paycheck & Pto, Claiming “contract Violation” After I Resigned

Hi everyone, I could really use some guidance about my situation. Location: Kentucky

I recently left a medical aesthetics office after ongoing harassment, lack of training, and unprofessional treatment. I’m now dealing with my former employer refusing to pay me my final check or PTO, claiming I “violated my contract.”

Here’s what happened:

I was hired as an esthetician in July 2025 under an “Employment Agreement” that says I’m on a 6-month probationary period, after which either side must give 6 weeks’ written notice before ending employment. I resigned before the 6-month mark. I was still in the probationary period, meaning that clause doesn’t apply yet.

After I left, my employer sent me a hostile letter saying:

“No further payments will be issued under the terms of your employment contract. You have forfeited your PTO… your performance fell below standards… your claim indicates nothing but lack of work ethics…”

He accused me of “negligence” and “operational damage” and said I need to “name a mediator within 7 days.” He’s also said verbally that he will not pay my final paycheck or PTO because I “breached the contract.”

But before I even left, the work environment had gotten extremely hostile. I was only given two days of training but was expected to handle all patient intakes, deposits, insurance submissions, and documentation on my own. Whenever I asked for help or clarification, I was ignored or told I was doing things wrong. (I have multiple screenshots and evidence of this.)

After an incident with a patient’s fake check, things got much worse. My employer began blowing up my phone outside of work hours including while I was on vacation, calling, texting, and sending accusatory messages about how I “messed up the deposit.” It was constant and invasive. (I have screenshots of this too.) Even after I explained that I followed the process correctly and that the fake check wasn’t my fault, he wouldn’t stop. All this while I was supposed to be on vacation so I decided to resign.

After I resigned, he escalated by sending that formal letter refusing to pay me, full of personal insults. It feels like retaliation and harassment for leaving and standing up for myself.

I’ve already reached out to several employment lawyers in Lexington but wanted to ask here for general guidance:

•Can a Kentucky employer legally withhold final wages or PTO because they claim I “breached” the contract? •Since I was still in the 6-month probation period, doesn’t that mean the 6-week notice rule and $1,200 penalty clause don’t apply yet? •Does this level of off-hours harassment, belittling, and retaliation qualify as a hostile work environment under Kentucky law?

I’ve saved all texts, emails, and the threatening emails he sent me. Any advice on what to do next or how to protect myself while waiting for lawyers to respond would be appreciated.