It's International Workers Day

The Geek

When I've been salaried, it's generally accepted you work a standard 40 hour week, unless you need to do more to get your work done. This applies particularly for accounting when it's month-end or year-end closing. But the places I've worked are then also lenient when it comes to having to leave early or come in late for a doctor appointment. For example, where I am now, I just have to let people know that I'll be in a couple hours late because of an appointment, but then it's not like I have to make up those hours at the end of the day unless I feel I need to in order to get work done. Also, there have been a couple of times when I have to have a flight on a weekend and they let me take a comp day later on to make up for it. I am also able to set my own schedule. I come in at 7am, don't take a lunch, and leave at 3pm.

The Geek

Weaver wrote: »

Way back in 2004, when I worked at the Verizon wireless call center, they did this thing with our pay where you're hourly rate was x-dollars, but as long as you did your full 40 for the week, your hours were paid at a higher rate, of a couple dollars more per hour.

But say something happened where you missed 15-30 minutes, all of your hours were docked down to the lower rate.

That's kinda interesting. I assume they had an electronic punch clock or something?

tugga

is today the day we stick it to the man

cause i kinda wanna stick it to the man

Kadith

i am celebrating today by not working at all

or in the near future either

The Geek

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

satansfingers

Ubik wrote: »

i've never been salaried but aren't the hours/work expectations part of the contract? how can they just demand things of you after the fact?

many (definitely not all) employers feel free to dick over employees as much as they want, especially in at-will states.

hence, unions

Aretè

6am to 4/4:30pm erryday

Salaried + OT though

I dont go out of my way to work extra hours though, 10.5 hours a day is enough for me, its rare I need to stay beyond that or come in on a weekend, so when I do, I dont mind.

Yesterday I took off because it was my birthday, and fuck dealing with users on monday/birthday

Arang

I walked with my local parade and the weather was very nice, and I got a sunburn

so I'm bright red, get it heh heh heh

ow

premium

The Geek wrote: »

When I've been salaried, it's generally accepted you work a standard 40 hour week, unless you need to do more to get your work done. This applies particularly for accounting when it's month-end or year-end closing. But the places I've worked are then also lenient when it comes to having to leave early or come in late for a doctor appointment. For example, where I am now, I just have to let people know that I'll be in a couple hours late because of an appointment, but then it's not like I have to make up those hours at the end of the day unless I feel I need to in order to get work done. Also, there have been a couple of times when I have to have a flight on a weekend and they let me take a comp day later on to make up for it. I am also able to set my own schedule. I come in at 7am, don't take a lunch, and leave at 3pm.

This has basically been my experience with a salaried position too, if one day I showed up and was expected to suddenly pull 60 hour weeks I would just... find a new job.

HeadCreeps

Fandyien wrote: »

if you have to go into work today take five minutes to encourage people to appreciate unions

I work for Walmart, so this is something I'm actually not allowed to do.

Fandyien

working a service level retail job means being late could run you the risk of getting fired

and if you have an appointment, gotta deal w/it no matter what because fuck you that's why

DrZiplock

Lately I've been getting in at 7am and not leaving until 7pm.

This won't keep up.

Much of it comes from having to play "new guy catch up" which is fine, but once I find some sort of normal pattern I'll likely begin showing up at 7am and leaving at 4. The idea of comp time is interesting though, I should look into if we do that. There are a handful of weekends when I'll have to work and such. Hm, interesting.

And yea, while there's no overtime there is pretty solid healthcare, a 401k program and if I need to pop off for an appointment then no worries.

End

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

wow

Enc

I worked at a chain bakery for a while, and your shifts for the evening were from 4-11 for your eight hour shift. Only, the restaurant closed at 9 and if you didn't complete the full clean and shut down by 10 you were flagged by management as being lazy, so everyone supposedly on the clock for 30-40 hours a week were losing an hour or more each shift or facing a warning, a written warning, or termination for the third instance.

When a manager brought it up with regional he was fired and replaced with a new person who insisted on us cleaning and closing by 9:30 at the latest, often leading to us having to not serve customers while on the sandwich line in favor of sealing up our work stations. This was the priority, if someone ordered a sandwich after 8:15, they risked not getting specific items on their order as we closed up (for instance, if the remaining tomatoes were stowed for the night at 8:20, no tomatoes on the sandwich). The customers, of course, were never told this unless they complained, and then it would be openly blamed on the line member and be counted towards their three strikes to being fired.

This was about ten years ago, but from what I here from some of my students it still goes on with that chain. Pretty crappy, all in all.

Fandyien

oh hey glad to hear you're doing something other then inconsistent freelancing

twelve hour days are absolutely killer, though. my boss pulls them all the time (no overtime, he's a salaried cvs manager). like, three or four times a week, and on the one hand i feel pretty sorry for him because he's almost 60 and he's an idiot who loves the corporation that hates him/doesn't care about him at all

but at the same time, when he's working these poorly paid twelve hour shifts, he expounds the virtues of deregulation and reagan and free markets and shit

once told me "i'm not a socialist because I believe in hard work" and also talked about how he hates homeless people for choosing to be lazy

i mostly feel sorry for him, but that is the textbook example of voting against your own interests and agitating against your own interests so much i'm almost satisfied he is reaping what he is so eager to sow (a shitty life for almost everyone)

Beef Avenger

My work is salary but they let you bank overtime to take off later or get payed out (at the normal rate). Really appreciate that, especially since I built up like 400 hours of overtime over a 6 month period.

Places that have salaried workers but foster an atmosphere expecting standard schedules to include constant overtime without compensation are bullshit

Fandyien

End wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

wow

honestly I thought that's how it was in every state

didn't know it was possible to make minimum wage + tips unless you're lucky enough to have a wonderful, generous employer

DrZiplock

Fandyien wrote: »

oh hey glad to hear you're doing something other then inconsistent freelancing

Yea, man..thanks!

Took a job with a corporate overlord and everything. Though, it's a pretty great company so I'm pretty ok with that.

MrMonroe

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

Actually only seven states don't have different minimum wages for tipped employees.

Most allow employers to credit only a certain amount of the employee's tips against their wages. The effective minimum cash wage anyone can pay because of federal law is $2.13.

Fandyien

my Realistic Life Goal is to one day work in a cubicle and above the poverty line

the idea of working in an office of any kind is like "man, i made it" to me

Fandyien

also as much as i loathe CVS, i am outrageously grateful they pay me $8.97 an hour to stand behind a counter in a state where tons and tons of people are making $7.25 doing substantially harder work then me

End

my impression is that the geek was indicating they would dock your pay after you got tips

but, I guess starting by paying below minimum wage and expecting you to make enough on tips to stay above minimum wage is a pretty similar strategy, and pretty common

chrishallett83

MrMonroe wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

Actually only seven states don't have different minimum wages for tipped employees.

Most allow employers to credit only a certain amount of the employee's tips against their wages. The effective minimum cash wage anyone can pay because of federal law is $2.13.

$2.13/hour?

America, fix your shit. That's ridiculous.

Fandyien

places are required to make that adhere to minimum wage by making up the difference not gotten in tips, i think

the joke, of course, is that minimum wage is way fucking below a living wage

Buttlord

Fandyien wrote: »

also as much as i loathe CVS, i am outrageously grateful they pay me $8.97 an hour to stand behind a counter in a state where tons and tons of people are making $7.25 doing substantially harder work then me

if i could make 10.75/hour and not eb unloading trucks all night that'd be great

if i could make anything and get more hours than i get at fedex and not be unloading trucks all night, that'd be great

Mysst

apparently the firewall here at work decided to join in on the day's protests. fun as hell!

The Geek

Also, if you're hourly, you're less likely to be a person who gets a company credit card for travel expenses when you go on business trips and such.


In semi-related news, I am thinking about getting a bike to ride to work for warmer days.

I called a local bike shop and they said their basic road/commuter type bikes start at 400 bucks. That seems ridiculous to me, but these are not things I know about. Is a low-end "bike shop" bike really any better than like going to Target and getting something for $100?

Abracadaniel

Salaried with occasional overtime on a case-by-case basis whoo.

I was a Teamster when I worked at UPS. Not bad, they helped me out a couple times.

MrMonroe

chrishallett83 wrote: »

MrMonroe wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

Actually only seven states don't have different minimum wages for tipped employees.

Most allow employers to credit only a certain amount of the employee's tips against their wages. The effective minimum cash wage anyone can pay because of federal law is $2.13.

$2.13/hour?

America, fix your shit. That's ridiculous.

you misunderstand, the person would still be making at least the state's effective minimum wage, it's just that the gap between 2.13 paid by the employer and the minimum wage is paid by the guests. If you're waiting tables in midtown manhattan, even at a mid-scale restaurant, you're probably pulling in closer to $20-$30 an hour.

Edcrab

chrishallett83 wrote: »

MrMonroe wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

Actually only seven states don't have different minimum wages for tipped employees.

Most allow employers to credit only a certain amount of the employee's tips against their wages. The effective minimum cash wage anyone can pay because of federal law is $2.13.

$2.13/hour?

America, fix your shit. That's ridiculous.

So the UK minimum wage is almost five times bigger?

Good god.

Fandyien

The Geek wrote: »

Also, if you're hourly, you're less likely to be a person who gets a company credit card for travel expenses when you go on business trips and such.


In semi-related news, I am thinking about getting a bike to ride to work for warmer days.

I called a local bike shop and they said their basic road/commuter type bikes start at 400 bucks. That seems ridiculous to me, but these are not things I know about. Is a low-end "bike shop" bike really any better than like going to Target and getting something for $100?

bike shops are always better, the people there actually know about stuff and care about getting you on a bike good for your needs

road bikes are pretty big investments, really. nice ones for serious riders are thousands of bux

not to say a less expensive road bike might not be equally nice, but it's just a more expensive thing then people expect

Buttlord

Smart Hero wrote: »

Salaried with occasional overtime on a case-by-case basis whoo.

I was a Teamster when I worked at UPS. Not bad, they helped me out a couple times.

i really wanted to work at the local ups for this reason

unions own y'all

unions own

i had a lady at fedex tell me how terrible it was that UPS was unionized and i was like, you realize they get paid more and treated better right

Aneurhythmia

The Geek wrote: »

Also, if you're hourly, you're less likely to be a person who gets a company credit card for travel expenses when you go on business trips and such.


In semi-related news, I am thinking about getting a bike to ride to work for warmer days.

I called a local bike shop and they said their basic road/commuter type bikes start at 400 bucks. That seems ridiculous to me, but these are not things I know about. Is a low-end "bike shop" bike really any better than like going to Target and getting something for $100?

Target probably doesn't sell road bikes. They probably mostly sell cheap "mountain bikes."

Langly

Edcrab wrote: »

chrishallett83 wrote: »

MrMonroe wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

Actually only seven states don't have different minimum wages for tipped employees.

Most allow employers to credit only a certain amount of the employee's tips against their wages. The effective minimum cash wage anyone can pay because of federal law is $2.13.

$2.13/hour?

America, fix your shit. That's ridiculous.

So the UK minimum wage is almost five times bigger?

Good god.

Us minimum is 5.25. Waiters are different.

Langly

Or something around there

Abracadaniel

Aneurhythmia wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

Also, if you're hourly, you're less likely to be a person who gets a company credit card for travel expenses when you go on business trips and such.


In semi-related news, I am thinking about getting a bike to ride to work for warmer days.

I called a local bike shop and they said their basic road/commuter type bikes start at 400 bucks. That seems ridiculous to me, but these are not things I know about. Is a low-end "bike shop" bike really any better than like going to Target and getting something for $100?

Target probably doesn't sell road bikes. They probably mostly sell cheap "mountain bikes."

Also old people-y 'cruiser' bikes. I got a hybrid commuter bike a few years ago and it's pretty nice. Other bonus was the shop offered lifetime basic maintenance/adjustments.

The Geek

Aneurhythmia wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

Also, if you're hourly, you're less likely to be a person who gets a company credit card for travel expenses when you go on business trips and such.


In semi-related news, I am thinking about getting a bike to ride to work for warmer days.

I called a local bike shop and they said their basic road/commuter type bikes start at 400 bucks. That seems ridiculous to me, but these are not things I know about. Is a low-end "bike shop" bike really any better than like going to Target and getting something for $100?

Target probably doesn't sell road bikes. They probably mostly sell cheap "mountain bikes."

A cheap "mountain bike" served me well in college. What makes a spendy bike actually worth it? Do they have buttons for oil slicks and grappling hooks?

Indie Winter

guys how much would an hourly wage be in the states for a tech support person working with electronic products, i.e. high end TV sets, GPS devices, tablets and smart phones? I work for an importer who brings over all sorts of stuff from well known companies, and while I am well sure I'm getting ripped off I don't really have a proper base for comparison.

Buttlord

Langly wrote: »

Edcrab wrote: »

chrishallett83 wrote: »

MrMonroe wrote: »

The Geek wrote: »

At my first real career-type job out of college, I learned that apparently there are states where it's legal for a business to dock a worker's pay by the amount of tips they receive, so long as it doesn't put them, in total, under minimum wage. The operations controller wanted to do that for the restaurant that was part of the resort property, but apparently Washington is not one of the states where it's legal.

That's when I learned she was a pretty awful person because that's a terribly shitty thing to want to do.

Actually only seven states don't have different minimum wages for tipped employees.

Most allow employers to credit only a certain amount of the employee's tips against their wages. The effective minimum cash wage anyone can pay because of federal law is $2.13.

$2.13/hour?

America, fix your shit. That's ridiculous.

So the UK minimum wage is almost five times bigger?

Good god.

Us minimum is 5.25. Waiters are different.

I always think US minimum is seven something but nope new york has a higher minimum wage than the federal

Edcrab

Langly wrote: »

Us minimum is 5.25. Waiters are different.

The entire point I'm making is that the UK doesn't distinguish

Nowhere could get away with saying "you can make up the difference with tips/commission"