TDLR: Took an easy job despite low pay. The amount of pay in the application however was different during the interview (decreased). Did a training module to get a raise and wasn't given that raise. Found out, overtime, that we might all be getting paid differently. Told coworker about the suspicious BS and discovered they, who were more experienced, got paid less than me just based on when they were hired. They're gonna have a little chat with our boss. I've applied to two other better paying jobs.
Will probably delete.
So, naive me thought more workplaces then not were toxicfree. So I left a high paying job bc it a number on my mental health, for a low paying job, which sold itself to me as being “one big family!!”
I wasn't looking for the perfect place. Just somewhere that had low risks. I didn't even mind being yelled at, by my boss or customers…I just needed to do something and know I'm doing it right, and if not, it's not that big of a deal. I had to leave my old job…but now I know I do not have to stay at this new one.
Basically, I was promised 13… during the interview…a different person said I could earn up to 13…but would be starting around 12. First red flag.
I needed to get out of my old job tho so I took it. Months go by and it's really easy and low risk. Everyone prides themselves on being welcoming, LGBT friendly and mental health concious…however, most corporations do. I didn't realize this was a low bar…and often times the “closeness” just consists of oversharing. This place hinges on maintaining personal relationships rather than professional…which this and the easiness might make it hard to leave for some. But not for me.
And the lack of professionalism expanded onto overreacting about things that were not a big deal. See, at my old job, shit was a big deal, bc it was serious stuff. This new job is basically flipping burgers – why am I being yelled at more for dropping a few buns on the ground than I ever did at my old job?
So the big boss has a problem with oversharing and gets too passionate about little things. And not to mention, I was hardly trained to begin with when they first yelled at me.
Second red flag: I did this stupid training module the big boss said would get me a raise. Months go by and I'm like…where the fuck is my raise? So I bring it up and they have the audacity to say, “You didn't think to tell anyone?” Uh what is this, the 1950s?? MY last job was automated. If I'm doing the training on a computer why doesn't the raise go through on there, too?
The kicker is, is they can manually see when I finished. I know this because they showed me whilw checking to see what other training I could do.
So my boss sends a “request” to their boss asking to officiate the raise. It happens quarterly or some shit so it would take a little bit of time to process…altho I finished the training months ago.
Weeks go by and nothing. Finally my boss suggests to add what I missed onto the next paycheck…but then they exclaim they don't know when they sent the “request” in and cannot check the date it was sent.
Well, how about this:
How about, instead of basing the amount of money I am owed on when you sent the request in, how about you base it on when I finished the training?!?!?
Anyway…
Then third red flag: in a conversation with them about this issue…they start talking about how the different locations pay their employees…and how our store pays the highest. And, I quote, they “already pay the majority of [us] more than [theyre] supposed to.”
… you mean to confess to me that you are knowingly paying us unevenly? And based on what? Why would someone get paid “more than they're supposed to” and I can't even get this 20¢ raise?
Before this, a manager inadvertently already revealed to me that, even though this store has been increasing their wage for new hires, they're not bringing up current employees' wages to match.
So I did the “family” thing to do and “overshared' pretty much all this information to my coworker, who has been working there longer. This coworker seems to like the work, well, because…easy peasy lemon squeezy. We both complain about our low pay so maybe they assumed we get paid the same.
Well, I straight up told them how much I got paid. And oh boy, money moves mountains. Of course, this coworker was baffled at how I, someone with less experience in the same position, was getting paid more.
I told them to keep our convo on the downlow and just ask our boss if there's been an increase in the hiring wage, and if that could be adjusted for them.
And holy shit did that feel good. We all complain about our poor wages but suck it up bc it's so fucking easy to work here. But once it's been made that we are not even paid fairly amongst each other…oh boy, I really hope this opens the food gates.
And my coworkers will say how much our boss cares bc they “fight corporate” and do quirky celebratory activities and isn't homophoboc nor ableist – but I say FUCK ALL THAT. Fuck the bare minimum. I don't care if it's not their fault. They play the game.
Then I just got the flu and there was no “feel better…” Just, “when can you come in?”
So I applied to two different jobs and this store can suck a fat one.
Probably going to throw this one in the bin but wanted to say, thank you r/antiwork for destigmatizing worker's rights 🙂