I've worked part-time as a receptionist at a massage business for about 6 months. When I was hired I was told the starting wage was $10-$12/hour, DOE. I didn't have any receptionist experience, but my boss started me at $12 due to my background in customer service and transcription, which together have given me the skills needed to be a great receptionist. I ended up having to get another part-time job at a restaurant just to be able to pay the bills because obviously that is a shit wage and on top of that I was barely getting any hours. I can't go full-time at the restaurant because I'm 4.5 months pregnant, and it would be too much time spent on my feet. I have kept this receptionist job to make some extra money in the evenings because it's very simple, low-stress, and I can sit at a desk. I've tried finding similar work elsewhere but it's proved to be difficult due to my criminal background, so I kind of feel stuck here. Not to mention this will be an easy job for me to return to once I have the baby – the restaurant will be harder since it's more physically demanding.
Since I can't take on more shifts here due to my other job, my boss hired another receptionist, and is in the process of hiring another. I learned through the job listing that she is listing the position at $11-$13/hour, DOE. I also trained the new receptionist tonight, and she told me she is starting at $13 and has receptionist experience. The second receptionist she hired texted the company phone asking her if the starting wage was $13. She promptly deleted the text history, presumably to prevent me from seeing it. I'm frustrated that I'm training new employees that will be making more than me, it just feels like a slap in the face. Should my boss adjust my wage to reflect the new starting wage? I did have to miss some work a couple months ago due to severe morning sickness, I'm talking to the point where I was hospitalized multiple times. I'm worried she will hold that against me and cite that as the reason for her not adjusting my wage. It's because of my absence that I've only made a 25 cent raise since I started when I would be making $12.50-$13 had I not been sick. It just sucks, I'm getting ready to have a baby and she knows that, I could really use the money.