I'd say it depends on the size of the small business. But it sounds to me from your description that it is large enough to be less risky. It will be a good life lesson to see what happens. If she doesn't get paid in 3 weeks, I'd have her quit and find something else. The first week, yeah I can see them holding it back.. the second week, eh... maybe they need time to cut the check. By the third week, if no check, I'd stop playing ball.

Employees are the first creditor that is paid.

Also, it's likely that they aren't even doing the hiring/paying the employees. Instead a 3rd party liquidation would be doing this.

most likely will get paid

There's a business close to where I live that recently went bankrupt. They're trying to get rid of everything in their stock, and due to more advertising etc. they are getting more customers than the current staff can handle. They have decided they need to hire on some temporary workers for the next month-month and a half while they clear out their inventory.... The store is offering 33+ hours a week..

Are these new employees (and the existing ones for that matter) actually going to be paid for their work, considering the store is closing down because it is bankrupt... My daughter is looking for work at the moment, and would like to work there - but I think it's kind of sketchy personally.