Throwaway account
I (21,F) recently started working front desk at a private clinic in the industry of mental health services. Despite my educational background in the field, numerous certifications, volunteer & work experience, 5+ years of reception that make me severely overqualified for this role, I make min wage. I accepted the role because I’ve been looking for 2 yrs with no luck and any other job like retail pays the same wage, may as well get experience in the field.
We are in the midst of moving the clinic to a different location. Right now (when I was hired) the parking situation is:
– free (and scarce) all day street parking that fills up super fast on weekdays
– free (and scarce) street parking where you have to move your car every 2 hrs
– really expensive parkade
– walk super far in a dangerous area to get to your car at night
When I was hired my boss sympathized with me on the current parking situation and verbally communicated to me that parking at the new location would “be provided” and would be much better for everyone.
Now we get an email that parking is $25 a month, hourly, or visitor parking where we risk getting ticketed and towed. And they said this without any consideration that they previously said it would be “provided.” My other colleagues are confused and upset as well as they had the same understanding as myself.
I have already had to set firm boundaries with this job because of expectation to monitor work email while off the clock. This feels like a slap in the face as I have already experienced a reduction in hours in combination with such a low wage and now having to cover a work expense that cuts directly into my wage.
I’m curious to know if this is normal or how to go about handling this situation.