- I make $16/hr – discussion with my coworkers revealed that many of them make $18/hr for the same duties (and I have worked there longer)
- Politely requested a conversation with my boss to discuss my underpayment
He refused to raise my wages to match my coworkers based on the following:
- It is illegal to discuss wages with my coworkers
- Despite working the same full-time days, hours, shifts, etc. as my coworkers (40+ hour weeks), I am officially recorded on payroll as a part-time employee, and part-timers don't ever make more than $16/hr
- He says he's been “holding off on taking disciplinary action” against me anyways for “having a negative attitude in the workplace”, and that I should be grateful for what I'm given already
When I mentioned that others were making more than me (I didn't say any names), he said that both myself and the others could be “subject to disciplinary action” for discussing our wages, and that we're “not supposed to.” In the same breath he said that part-timers make $16 and full-timers make $18 and that's that… but I have several full-time coworkers that are making $16 just like I am.
After a lot of verbal tip-toeing around the topic, I finally asked up front – “Is it a yes or a no?” He said no. I said “I guess I'll just keep working for my $16.” He said if I want to have an attitude with him, then I can just leave and not come back. I said “I'll stay.” He said good choice.
Whatever. Not sure if I'm here for advice or just to blow off steam. I'm just sick of my employers.