To the company I work for: I’ve been working at the same job for 6 years and I’m making only a few cents (5,10,20 cents) an hour more than other employees who have only worked -1 year to 2 years! Why? I know it’s not the store manager’s or any of my shift managers’ faults (I am on good terms with them without being a “suck-up”, and I KNOW if it were up to them, I’d be making a shitload more than my co-workers). I work my ass off, not to mention I am well-liked (there may be some who DON’T like me personally, but it’s guaranteed I’m more liked there then those particular individuals are) as a worker and as a person. But I have found another way to earn what I’m really worth: I get my meals for free (even though I’m not supposed to), and I don’t do the particular tasks I don’t want to do (other employees do ’em), and I’ll do my tasks the way I want to do them. That’s life, company-owner, if you want me to do it your exact way, then pay me more! Yeah, sure you don’t have enough money (dripping sarcasm)….
This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2008.
last i looked it was a free market economy…look at your current employment as volunteering to work at a specific job for i would suspect duly discussed reward. companies rarely if ever suddenly bring out paypackages after 2 years of employment.if you don’t like it, go grab that GED and look for something more suited to both your skill set and your renumeration expectations. unless you are handcuffed in a sweatshop, you know where the door is. if your life sucks change it.