Minimum Wage Goes Up!

[enterthemadness]

Wait a second...so you ADMIT to slacking...and you ADMIT that the other guys in your little group were slackers, but you're angry that you werent paid more??

Wal-Mart is the most profitable store on earth. They DO NOT make money by promoting slackers who dont work. If that were the case the stores would implode within days. People get promoted every day at Wal-Mart. Those people have shown that they can master several jobs, stay on task and lead others.

Your own statement shows that you DO NOT lead others to work...you DO NOT stay on task...

Why is Wal-Mart wrong for wanting to promote people who wont cause the destruction of their stores???

You misread. Working in a parking lot can be easy and very hard. Depends how busy it is and the weather. Point is they need to pay more. I just got tire of low pay and silly rules and quit. Walmart has a high turn over rate. Not only that, there was no way I would ever go inside. I was too good to go inside. Now if I went back to that Walmart or the one where I live, I probably be inside, cause they have enough workers outside now.

My first 8 months...1st year...I got so tired mentally, I felt like I was in my 30's or 40's. And I'm 21.

And I led others to work do, I may have slacked, but I would also know when to slack and not slack. Unless if it was hell on earth busy, I could keep my side of the lot clean.

Not only that..Walmart had or still has a double standard rule. If a shopping cart hits your car, we are not held responsible. But, the store manager lacked balls to follow up on that rule. There were signs near the cart correals that have it stated, too.

I will admit, I got to the point I didn't give a crap though and started slacking. Which can be bad, caues the hardest working people are outside, not inside. I've pushed carts in 50 miles per hour wind gusts....that's unsafe. And in the snow.

 

[Heretic]

So...they paid you an entry level wage...you realized that you were worth more, and went to a job where they paid you over the entry level wage?

THATS EXACTLY WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

If your talent level is entry level, you remain entry level. The point is to strive to better yourself and expand your talents.

 

[Spider-Who?]

Yeah, but if you work +40 hours at a place like Wal Mart (and good luck getting that over time), you have every right to expect to make enough money to live.

I worked there in high school and a lot of times pulled over 30 hours a week (yes, during high school), yet my paycheck wouldn't prove that.

And most places that offer minimum wage don't give you the amount of hours you would need to afford ANYthing on that type of wage.

 

[enterthemadness]

So...they paid you an entry level wage...you realized that you were worth more, and went to a job where they paid you over the entry level wage?

THATS EXACTLY WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

If your talent level is entry level, you remain entry level. The point is to strive to better yourself and expand your talents.

I'm confused? OKay, I started off at 6.65...nearly two year later and 3 pay raises, I was at 7.90. The second pay raise was from 7.05 to 7.45, I think. Not, it was 50 cent, 7.50. It was because Walmart got told to pay some people more by District or Home Office. And yes, Walmart pays more than min wage, barely. Min wage is 7.25 now. When it was under 7 bucks still, walmart was 7.50 starting out.

I be making 8.30 an hour outside if I didn't quit. but I tried to go to film school and now I am.....well up a stream with no paddle. I cna easily go back though and may...I left on very good terms, even though I didn't care for most managers. Better than fast food, for sure.

 

[Heretic]

Yeah, but if you work +40 hours at a place like Wal Mart (and good luck getting that over time), you have every right to expect to make enough money to live.

I worked there in high school and a lot of times pulled over 30 hours a week (yes, during high school), yet my paycheck wouldn't prove that.

And most places that offer minimum wage don't give you the amount of hours you would need to afford ANYthing on that type of wage.

When i was a kid, I had a paper route, yet the money made from that was not enough to pay rent, electric, water, cable, car payment etc...

In other words...entry level jobs ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT A LIFE. They are to be used to gain experience and then left behind for greater things. If your talent level never rises above entry level, then it is not society's responsibility to pay for your cell phone, cable, etc.

 

[enterthemadness]

When i was a kid, I had a paper route, yet the money made from that was not enough to pay rent, electric, water, cable, car payment etc...

In other words...entry level jobs ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT A LIFE. They are to be used to gain experience and then left behind for greater things. If your talent level never rises above entry level, then it is not society's responsibility to pay for your cell phone, cable, etc.

I agree. And what I did was entry level at Walmart. Stockman (Cart Pusher) and maintenace.

Sadly, we worked harder at times more than most people did inside.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I'm an animator. I've done **** for Camp Chaos, SpikeTV, Nickelodeon, even did some work for the Simpsons a while back.

Are you responsible for ****** cartoons today?

Maybe everything costs more because Production and Labor is so expensive.

Told you as soon as I mentioned the word FairTAX SuBe would show up.

When i was a kid, I had a paper route, yet the money made from that was not enough to pay rent, electric, water, cable, car payment etc...

In other words...entry level jobs ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT A LIFE. They are to be used to gain experience and then left behind for greater things. If your talent level never rises above entry level, then it is not society's responsibility to pay for your cell phone, cable, etc.

Then why are there so many people doing it?

It is unrealistic of you to believe that the majority of minimum wage employees at minimum wage jobs are teenagers with additional support and that they're not people who are living on their own, raising children, and supporting families.

Unfortunately there are too many people without college degrees that are in family situations. Your harshly capitalistic system of companies paying whatever they feel like it will end without thousands of people who work at low pay jobs being unable to support their family and requiring government assistance or worse, dying because they aren't able to support themselves.

 

[StorminNorman]

Then why are there so many people doing it?

It is unrealistic of you to believe that the majority of minimum wage employees at minimum wage jobs are teenagers with additional support and that they're not people who are living on their own, raising children, and supporting families.

Unfortunately there are too many people without college degrees that are in family situations. Your harshly capitalistic system of companies paying whatever they feel like it will end without thousands of people who work at low pay jobs being unable to support their family and requiring government assistance or worse, dying because they aren't able to support themselves.

At some point you can't penalize the rest for the bottom of society.

 

[Heretic]

Okay...I never said that I thought all minimum wage employees were teenagers.

I DID say that they were unskilled employees, and that job level is not intended to support for a family.

Take me for instance...I am able to work and not work as a choose. Last year I got sick of the travel, so I took some time off. I walked into one of those Halloween specialty shops that are only open for a few months. It looked fun, so I figured Id make minimum wage and have fun for a few moths while not traveling. Within a week I was assistant manager, and a week after that I was named manager. When it was over they asked me to remain on with the company, but I have a business to run so I turned it down.

How did that happen?? Simple. I WORKED HARD. I did more than just punch in, stand around and punch out. Yet, NO other employees were elevated at any of the other stores in the area...only me. Because I was the only one showing initiative. I got a call the other day asking me to come back for this Halloween season, but I've committed to a tour already so I'll be gone.

It is not society's responsibility to ensure that people pay attention in school, or work hard, or dedicate themselves to a learning a skill. If a person chooses to do none of those things, it is not society's responsibility to ensure that they have a car, cell phone, cable, fine wine etc.

Your life is YOUR responsibility, not mine. I have chosen to break my back since I was a kid to have a good life now. If your choice is to not do that, then I dont see why I should have to pick up your slack with my tax dollars or higher prices due to a raised minimum wage.

I will say that I DO think there should be a minimum wage, but it should not be what politicians always claim they want, which is a livable wage to raise a family on.

 

[CrashNburn]

im happy to hear minimum wage is going up but it hasnt affected me in a long time. i wish they would adjust my pay evey time minmum wage goes up. i'd be rolling in cash! woot woot!t:

 

[Majic Walrus]

At some point you can't penalize the rest for the bottom of society.

I agree, but that doesn't mean that employers don't have a responsibility to pay their workers a standard rate at minimum.

Okay...I never said that I thought all minimum wage employees were teenagers.

I DID say that they were unskilled employees, and that job level is not intended to support for a family.

Take me for instance...I am able to work and not work as a choose. Last year I got sick of the travel, so I took some time off. I walked into one of those Halloween specialty shops that are only open for a few months. It looked fun, so I figured Id make minimum wage and have fun for a few moths while not traveling. Within a week I was assistant manager, and a week after that I was named manager. When it was over they asked me to remain on with the company, but I have a business to run so I turned it down.

How did that happen?? Simple. I WORKED HARD. I did more than just punch in, stand around and punch out. Yet, NO other employees were elevated at any of the other stores in the area...only me. Because I was the only one showing initiative. I got a call the other day asking me to come back for this Halloween season, but I've committed to a tour already so I'll be gone.

You already owned your own business you had a ****ton of experience that was why you were promoted so rapidly. Not that you didn't work hard, but it wasn't the only reason you got a promotion.

It is not society's responsibility to ensure that people pay attention in school, or work hard, or dedicate themselves to a learning a skill. If a person chooses to do none of those things, it is not society's responsibility to ensure that they have a car, cell phone, cable, fine wine etc.

We're not talking about privileges we're talking about sustaining their life.

Your life is YOUR responsibility, not mine. I have chosen to break my back since I was a kid to have a good life now. If your choice is to not do that, then I dont see why I should have to pick up your slack with my tax dollars or higher prices due to a raised minimum wage.

I will say that I DO think there should be a minimum wage, but it should not be what politicians always claim they want, which is a livable wage to raise a family on.

Well I'm not really all that happy with this wage increase, that's mostly due to it's incredibly poor timing. Putting more strain on businesses while simultaneously "bailing" them out isn't a good idea.

But I think that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure, in part, your ability to live.

 

[StorminNorman]

I agree, but that doesn't mean that employers don't have a responsibility to pay their workers a standard rate at minimum.

Employers have a responsibility to pay workers the amount the two parties have agreed upon.

 

[terry78]

People working on straight commission will never be in this argument.

 

[Spider-Who?]

Are you responsible for ****** cartoons today?

No. Just the decent-to-good ones.

 

[Heretic]

I agree with Stormin.

It is NOT the corporations responsibility to ensure that you have a fruitful life. That would be your responsibility. Amazingly, everyone I know who works minimum wage also has a cell phone, cable tv, beer in the fridge and other non necessities...

Majic: You cant blame my experience for why I got ahead in that job, as it is the hard work that created that experience that got me ahead in every other job.

My history (leaving a few random things out, like my paper route as a kid):

As a teen I got a retail job. I broke my back while others did the least amount of work they could to get the boss off their back. I learned the business, learned the ordering process and inventory system. I became manager of my own store while still in high school. This cost me NOTHING except hard work, and anyone could have done that.

I moved to another town and took a job at a store. I worked hard and learned the business. When the manager quit, I was named the new manager, leapfrogging over two people in the process, because I knew more about the store than people whos job it was to know and they had both been there for years longer than I had.

During this time I saved my money. As a kid i didnt buy many toys, and as a teen i didnt blow it on stupid things. I started my own business as soon as high school was over and I could move away.

I got bored of that and sold it, and started in a new industry (music) and learned everything i could, getting promoted at various jobs and eventually starting my own business again.

I grew up POOR. I never went to college. I'm not even that smart. I was simply willing to work hard, and that naturally moved me up the ladder of every company Ive ever worked with. It's easy because none of my coworkers ever seem to do much to get themselves promoted.

This theory that corporations dont want to promote skilled employees is just insanity. The people who worked their butts off are generally the people who now get to stand around making good money telling the unskilled workers what to do.

 

[Spider-Who?]

When i was a kid, I had a paper route, yet the money made from that was not enough to pay rent, electric, water, cable, car payment etc...

In other words...entry level jobs ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ENOUGH TO SUPPORT A LIFE. They are to be used to gain experience and then left behind for greater things. If your talent level never rises above entry level, then it is not society's responsibility to pay for your cell phone, cable, etc.

but it's society's responsibility to help the unemployed?

I'm not saying I fully disagree with you, but saying that ANY job isn't meant to support a person's life is crap. You tell that to the millions of college students busting their asses with 2 or more jobs while being a full time student and STILL barely being able to support themselves that their situation is how "it's meant to be."

You work your ass off, you better see the dough that your hard work is worth. And honestly, the majority of these "entry level" jobs wages are a ****ing JOKE compared to the actual work that is put into them.

And yes, I am speaking from experience.

I got a cushy job where I get paid good money to sit and draw stupid cartoons. Barely any effort there. Mean while a single mother is trying to be responsible with the cards life dealt her, busting her ass off at who knows how many jobs barely making enough money, but its okay, because that's how it's "supposed to be"?

I'm no economic analyst (and i'm sure neither are any of you), but I tell you, you make minimum wage an actual respectable amount of money, and the economy will soar.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

I agree with Stormin.

It is NOT the corporations responsibility to ensure that you have a fruitful life. That would be your responsibility. Amazingly, everyone I know who works minimum wage also has a cell phone, cable tv, beer in the fridge and other non necessities.

A "fruitful" life and a decent standard pay are two different things.

As we now know, the so-called many "skilled", workers were living on borrowed credit as well. So what does it mean if your friends have beer and a cell-phone? The miniumum wage is a reaction to the cost of living increases than it is about performance. Once the worker does as you did Heretic, they are quickly moved up to better pay. The crap workers should stay a minimum wage. The should be able to afford necessities and if they want to own a I-pod and etc, that's the risk they take by not allocating their money correctly.

 

[StorminNorman]

I'm no economic analyst (and i'm sure neither are any of you), but I tell you, you make minimum wage an actual respectable amount of money, and the economy will soar.

How would reducing the number of jobs make the economy soar?

 

[Majic Walrus]

Employers have a responsibility to pay workers the amount the two parties have agreed upon.

I agree, but that doesn't mean that there shouldn't be laws to ensure that employers treat their employees fairly and a minimum wage is part of that.

I'm such a horrible Libertarian.

No. Just the decent-to-good ones.

Good.

I agree with Stormin.

It is NOT the corporations responsibility to ensure that you have a fruitful life. That would be your responsibility. Amazingly, everyone I know who works minimum wage also has a cell phone, cable tv, beer in the fridge and other non necessities...

Agreed. It's the government's responsibility to ensure that you can live a life, the way that the government ensures that is by forcing corporations to pay certain wages.

Also there are just as many minimum wage workers with no TV, cell phone, beer, and non necessities. Since you love stories so much:

My friend "J" has a wife and a child. J wasn't able to complete college because he ran out of money. He works retail at a tourist based private retail store. He's been working there for almost 3 years. In that time he was only illegible (due to time in position) for two promotions. One of them was just to get to full time. He makes a little over 8 dollars an hour.

His father in law lets them live on one of his second properties. He doesn't pay for housing and he still manages to not have enough money to take care of his wife and daughter. He gets some government assistance.

We can alleviate the need for government based assistance by adding that responsibility to the employer and removing it from the taxpayer.

Majic: You cant blame my experience for why I got ahead in that job, as it is the hard work that created that experience that got me ahead in every other job.

Why not? Obviously they took into account your previous work history.


My history (leaving a few random things out, like my paper route as a kid):

As a teen I got a retail job. I broke my back while others did the least amount of work they could to get the boss off their back. I learned the business, learned the ordering process and inventory system. I became manager of my own store while still in high school. This cost me NOTHING except hard work, and anyone could have done that.

I moved to another town and took a job at a store. I worked hard and learned the business. When the manager quit, I was named the new manager, leapfrogging over two people in the process, because I knew more about the store than people whos job it was to know and they had both been there for years longer than I had.

During this time I saved my money. As a kid i didnt buy many toys, and as a teen i didnt blow it on stupid things. I started my own business as soon as high school was over and I could move away.

I got bored of that and sold it, and started in a new industry (music) and learned everything i could, getting promoted at various jobs and eventually starting my own business again.

I grew up POOR. I never went to college. I'm not even that smart. I was simply willing to work hard, and that naturally moved me up the ladder of every company Ive ever worked with. It's easy because none of my coworkers ever seem to do much to get themselves promoted.

Just because the system worked for you does not mean that the system always works.

This theory that corporations dont want to promote skilled employees is just insanity. The people who worked their butts off are generally the people who now get to stand around making good money telling the unskilled workers what to do.

I can provide examples to the contrary but they are moot because single stories are not necessarily the norm. It is easy to see that large corporations do not hire managers from within the company based on hard work, in fact Wal-Mart as a general rule does not hire ANY manager from within the number of their associates instead hiring people from a special management program that they have. That management program is of course designed to accept only people with previous management history.

Also, I don't think that it's reasonable to say that all hard workers want to be supervisors or can be supervisors. Many people that I've worked with at previous jobs simply enjoy the work that they do and don't necessarily possess supervisory abilities.

 

[StorminNorman]

I agree, but that doesn't mean that there shouldn't be laws to ensure that employers treat their employees fairly and a minimum wage is part of that.

I agree.

 

[Alistair]

Here is my 2 cents....

What about the company that refuses to give a pay rate due that you work your bum off, but still don't give you a nickel after the min wage went up? I'm in middle management, but still hourly, which no chance to promote for the company is on a freeze (Of building new stores).

Before this, I got promoted within for I worked my butt off, and I still do. The company, yes, should pay me, but will they? No. For it's more money in their pocket. I worked hard to get where I was, and now I'm looking for something else for they don't wanna pay me a dollar more for my work, or respect. Is that fair to a hard working employee? No, it's not, so it's time to move on.

So in that sense, your logic is failed that you get paid for what you deserve. It only happens to good company's that WANNA do it unless they want more money in their pocket, espically in a depression. Don't give me that line, you slacked, I haven't. During this time I was ahead, I got land, child, and all of that good stuff, and now it's hard to make it pass by. I mean I went from 5.15 to 6.75, and now 7.75 (NM Min wage is 7.50). Even my manager agrees I'm worth more than this, but they won't pay it.

I know it's just a brief statement, but that's whats happen.

Ali

 

[StorminNorman]

Here is my 2 cents....

What about the company that refuses to give a pay rate due that you work your bum off, but still don't give you a nickel after the min wage went up? I'm in middle management, but still hourly, which no chance to promote for the company is on a freeze (Of building new stores).

Before this, I got promoted within for I worked my butt off, and I still do. The company, yes, should pay me, but will they? No. For it's more money in their pocket. I worked hard to get where I was, and now I'm looking for something else for they don't wanna pay me a dollar more for my work, or respect. Is that fair to a hard working employee? No, it's not, so it's time to move on.

So in that sense, your logic is failed that you get paid for what you deserve. It only happens to good company's that WANNA do it unless they want more money in their pocket, espically in a depression. Don't give me that line, you slacked, I haven't. During this time I was ahead, I got land, child, and all of that good stuff, and now it's hard to make it pass by. I mean I went from 5.15 to 6.75, and now 7.75 (NM Min wage is 7.50). Even my manager agrees I'm worth more than this, but they won't pay it.

I know it's just a brief statement, but that's whats happen.

Ali

Then quit. Companies aren't required to pay you what you think you deserve to be paid. If you don't think your work is equal to their pay - then quit. Don't ***** about the company. Workers shouldn't dictate their salary.

 

[Paradoxium]

It would seem to me, a lot of people rely on their day-to-day jobs as their only source of income. This goes for minimum and non-minimum wage earners. This is incredibly inside the box thinking.

 

[Alistair]

Stormin',

I know, I'm looking, it was meant more for Heretic. =) I know they aren't required, or the alike. Company's should make a profit, for it's good, but I meant with the earlier statements for "Heretic." Just cool your heels there, for it did kinda come off as jerky, but it does make me mad for I was doing fine, but no reason to jump me, either. It was just stating a point, Stormin'.

I was just saying, the min. wage going up also screws the ones that worked their way up, that's all if a company doesn't wanna pay that wage as Paradoxium has stated.


Tootles,
Ali

 

[StorminNorman]

Stormin',

I know, I'm looking, it was meant more for Heretic. =) I know they aren't required, or the alike. Company's should make a profit, for it's good, but I meant with the earlier statements for "Heretic." Just cool your heels there, for it did kinda come off as jerky, but it does make me mad for I was doing fine, but no reason to jump me, either. It was just stating a point, Stormin'.

And I was refuting your point. I understand that it wasn't directed at me - but your point isn't a very good one. The fact is that you are lucky just to have a job right now, complaining that it doesn't pay you enough seems kind of bratty. Your incentive for working hard shouldn't be a raise, but to maintain that job, that constant source of income, during these economic times.