Elegant_Passage90's journey

I work at a small startup and things have taken a turn for the worse. My salary is now a week overdue, and when I first brought it up to management, they promised an update that never came. After four days of waiting, I contacted the Department of Labor for advice, and they suggested I keep working while giving my employer a deadline to pay me. I've been doing my job as usual, but I haven't resigned or agreed to postpone my pay. Recently, we had a staff meeting where management informed us that the company might shut down due to a lack of funding. They mentioned that assets might need to be sold to cover employee salaries and other debts. However, when I spoke with my boss afterward, the message shifted. I was told to continue working normally because there might still be options available, and we would receive another update soon. Some of my coworkers have even offered to forgo their salaries temporarily to help the company survive, but I've chosen to stay out of that discussion. I'm still owed money for the work I've done, and the DOL has told me I can formally file a complaint about the situation. On top of all this, I feel terrible for my boss who recently lost his oldest daughter. It's a tough situation, and I feel completely in the dark about what will happen next. I’m considering my options and would appreciate any advice on how to protect myself during this uncertain time.