I posted several months ago (link) about my internship and how I was basically stuck in my current job at a low pay rate. Halfway through the internship (late February) I began looking for a new job with the start date the end of my internship. I quickly found a job in the same field with much better benefits and pay. Nothing my current employer could match. Went from $16/hour to $21.50. From working weekends to no weekends, all federal holidays paid and the week of Christmas off paid. Incomparable.
Whenever the topic of pay is brought up it management it is dismissed as the reason for why employees refuse to perform at higher levels, despite acknowledging they can and would for fair pay.
Now, today is my last day and yesterday my coworker just quit for the same job as I accepted giving a one week notice. The employer has lost half of their case worker office in one week because “pay isn't the issue”. He and I both made it very clear we are leaving because of pay and the refusal of the company to address it.
The funniest part is yesterday my boss asked if I had changed my mind and decided to stay. I asked if they changed their mind on my pay. She stated no and I said well that's my answer too. She told me that my leaving is “making a major impact on operations” and I told her straight up “that's not my problem because you all continue to refuse to talk to me about my pay rate so until you figure that out your operations are no longer my operations.” More of my coworkers are seeking new positions and standing up to management. You too can do it! I advocated for myself and was told no so I left for better conditions. Don't let the employer guilt you into staying for a low wage. Fuck them. Not your problem.