Then it would be important how he had to be paid. Was it a fixed salary for a month or was it a salary for doing a special thing. For example create a softwarescript and get 100btc.

If it was the first he has the right for some days free of course. When this wasnt addressed with the contract then its the fault of the employer.

If he should get money for creating something special and he didnt deliver... then of course he has no right at the money.

The question is what kind of contract it was.

And the next question is what nef will do when he hasnt the right for the money but feel other ways.