I'm trying to finish my last two terms of grad school – my internship schedule takes me out of the work I've been doing for 8+ years (federal housing programs at small non-profits). The state won't cover daycare hours for my two young children for grad school; so I needed as many hours as possible in employment in order to pay as little out of pocket as possible for daycare ($538 a week for two children). Took this as a sort of “on-call” position as my other part time job suddenly cut everyone's hours (thanks corporate). Manager told me I would train for two shifts and then would be on my own.
After being there for 1.25 hours I'm presented with an employment contract. Two things I have a major issue with on this contract: if I quit with less than 2 weeks notice they will lower my pay to minimum wage for my final paycheck (is that even legal in MI?). Also, contract has what is essentially a 12 month NDA. For a freaking laundry mat!?! Who is going to spill a laundry mats' secrets? And you ALREADY don't trust your employees that much?? Oh and last page of the contract is basically a “if you say anything against us ever we reserve the right to sue you for every penny you own.” startled face
Oh and training period? According to the handbook I'm training for 3 weeks and will make only $12 an hour. After three weeks I'll be making $12.50 an hour (terrible pay but I just needed hours more than anything else). Does it matter that the manager already told me I would only get two training shifts? Nope.
Manager called owner who said they would nix the minimum wage clause but the NDA has to stay because corporate requires it. As she answers the phone she says, “Well for me it's the rhetoric because this isn't 'just a laundry mat'.” Why? I told her that while I respect that this is his and his wife's retirement, that I will do my job and I will do it DARN well, it isn't my passion. I followed that speal up with, “If he weren't paying you, would you work here to support his retirement? (She says no) He can't ask more of his employees than he requires of himself.”
This is coming off a terrible experience working for a local small non-profit on a federal rapid rehousing grant. When I tried to report to the state the agencies mis-use of funds and the fact that the tenants would all exit to homelessness (due to deficiencies prior to my hire date) the state said, “Yea we don't care.” When I asked the non-profits board to meet with me so I could file a formal complaint against the new executive director (per the employee handbook regulations), they scheduled to meet with me and the morning of said meeting the director fired me under “at-will employment”.
I effing love this country (it is sarcasm, don't come for me).