After almost a year of unemployment, I started a new job recently, It's been a great opportunity, however this was an entry level position in a new career path, so it pays less than my previous jobs did. I understood that going in. The company pride's itself on a variety of policies meant to improve worker wellbeing. These include Summer Fridays (early leave on Fridays) and multiple days of early leave during weeks that includeajor holidays.
Most staff here are salaried, so these really are great for them. However, I'm hourly, and I was told that with these policies, all half days and early leaves are paid out as the literal hours I'm in-office. Meaning my pay is reduced even further, maybe even to unlivable wage levels. It's really bumming me out and making me feel like I'm struggling more than I need to, which is ironic because these are wellness initiatives. My manager keeps asking why I'm staying late on a Friday and I say “I need to be able to get paid a full weeks check…”. I used to work as a salaried employee, I forgot how bad hourly employment is.