U.S. Employers Vs. Real Fucking Life

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XxCaRnAgExX

New member
Every job I've had, in CA and everywhere else in the USA has worked like this.

You get hired, it's not real high, about 6 months later when you showed you were good, they give you a token raise. Then NOTHING EVER AGAIN. Sure I'm not working a high class job, never have. Still, it's Evil and I'll explain it.

I started this job at 8.50 an hour because I was going to have to work all the shittiest shifts. Not much, but it was something. Then about 6 months later I got a .40 raise to 8.90. This was 19 months ago. Since 19 months have gone by everything has gone up, gas, rent, food, taxes, fucking everything. So when I bring it to the attention of the management I get a nice call a few minutes ago.

Them "Well you have to understand, we can't keep giving you raises, if we did that all the time imagine how much you'd be making in a few years!!!!! Also, don't discuss your pay with anyone else because you're the highest paid one!!!"

Me "What? So when do you think I would be eligible for a raise?"

Them "It would be a few years at least! You have to understand that the owner doesn't like to give raises! I haven't got a raise in six years!"

Me "Well you should ask for a raise then."

Them "You have to understand! It doesn't work like that! You're pretty much at the top pay for your position!"

Me " Oh I understand completely, thank you."

So now I'm looking for yet another job.

So let's get this straight? Employers expect you to never get raises. Inflation raises the price of everything, but no raises. So you literally make less every single year? If you don't like it, even though you're great at your job, they'd rather replace you with someone who makes less because they're just starting out, even though they'll do a shitty job by comparison??? This is so fucking Evil. It's deep down, worship God as money, Evil.

I can barely pay my fucking bills and I live in a goddamn trailer park. We have to cut back on food a lot (no jokes, I got fat Early, I eat less than you trust me) and we can't even pay some bills on time usually. So instead of throwing me a fucking bone like .50 cents which works out to a whole fucking 40 bucks a paycheck, really 33 bucks. I gets none.

So let me get this straight? I bring in business, I'm good for it, they know it, they tell me so, they raise the prices here regularly, they are willing to pay more for all the bills that go up each year, they put out 25 thousand dollars no sweat for a roof they could have saved if they listened to the maintenance guy, they shill out thousands for advertising they know doesn't work, they pay new employees more than some older ones because they KNOW they have to because things are going up, but if you're a good employee and work for a few years... FUCK YOU! You're so fucking stupid to work this shit job for so long! HAHA Jokes on you!

I hear from lots of people, even some of you, that it's like this all over the good ole land of the free. Well I for one will call it like it is. It's Evil Capitalism at work. It's all about profits and using people. It's about trying to bully your employees to shut up about raises while profits soar. They are the black souls that make this world the hell it is.

So yeah, I have to get a new job. Of course, the flip side of the evil is, that any other job I get will most likely pull the same stunt.

I guess I have myself to blame in many ways, I admit to my part in it. It's NOT my fault that so many empoyers are Evil bastards. At least a fucking cost of living increase for fucks sake, without that, you actually make less and less money until you make less than you were hired for. And they fucking love it.

Ever wonder why they ended slavery? Because with a "job" they can pay you shit and YOU have to worry about feeding and clothing yourself and your family, plus you have to pay for any of your own medical expenses, and if you get hurt they can just fire your ass and replace you with the next nameless moron.

Life SUCKS.
 
Wow... That is a lot to think about at once, and yeah... I agree with you. I think you're completely right. I don't know how I could have said it better myself, if I could have...
 
What you just said is one of the reasons I joined the navy. I get a raise every year till a certain point. I have to take tests (I'm taking one in 2 days) to get promoted. Yeah, cost of living is going up, and jobs arn't paying anymore.

My problem before I joined the navy was I knew what I was worth. I was living with my parents, so I knew I could lose a job and be fine. I walked into my employers office and told him he needed to give me a raise. He gave me the "we can't afford to pay you more" speach, so I said I was going to go work somewhere else till he could afford to pay me more. I got a raise that day. The only reason I got it was because I was one of 3 maintainers, and I was the only one that was on time everyday and could pass a drug test.

I think you should think about changing carears. I know it sounds like I'm saying something along the lines of "fuck that place" but it kinda is. If they realy have no choise between give you a raise or lose you, they might give you one. And I'm sorry, but 8.90 is not what I consider a living wage.
 
I'm pretty sure you have to be given a cost of living increase every year. I may be fooling myself, but i could've sworn that was federal law, like having to take breaks.
 
The sad thing is, the average person only gets a 1% raise in pay a year. The cost of living usually goes up between 3-5% a year. And with the cost of gas skyrocketing (thank you, Mr. Bush + your rich buddies), that cost of living goes up even more.

And, I agree, it's fucked up the way they do it. They lure you in with a slightly better than average starting wage, give you a small raise 90 days in, and then it's a 1-3% pay raise a year, if you're lucky. But that's Corporate America.

And, to add insult to injury, they keep their starting pay up-to-date with their competition. So you work somewhere for 2 or 3 years, only to find out someone who just started working with you is making more money than you. But that's how they make their profits. And it is Evil.

And don't believe that shit about you getting paid the more than others, either. That's just management-ese for "We're not gonna pay you more money."

I've had a number of jobs where I've been in situations like you're in now. Where, no matter how hard you try, they won't increase your pay. You get Employee of the Quarter three outta four times in a year, and all you have to show for it are three cheap plaques and a bullet on your resume.

The thing that irritated me most about those situations, and you've probably experienced this as well, is that people who did less usually got the biggest raises. The people who yucked it up with supervisors during smoke breaks, etc. were compensated the most. Favoritism and brown-nosing run amok in the working world, and it's a shame.

To be honest, I think the whole system needs to be revamped. There's gotta be a better way. But I know it'll never happen. Because, if the blue collar folks got a fair shake, the white collar folks (and the 1% that actually rules this world) wouldn't make as much money. And that will NEVER HAPPEN!

And it's only gonna get worse, because I heard they're gonna be raising minimum wage soon, which in turn will bump up most other peoples' pay and leave even less money for future raises.

Yep ... Mr./Ms./Mrs. Joe Average Working Stiff will continue to get it in the tail pipe from now until the end of time. Welcome to the new slavery. It sucks.
 
At my old job, for a while I was making $7.75 and they were hiring new people at $8.50. Never mind the fact that I'd been working there for two years and these new guys weren't even that good. They gave me a raise to $8.75 shortly before I quit. Hell, with the working curve, I should have been making at least $9, I think. But it's not like my supervisor who's still there, going on 8 years, and only making $10 an hour regardless of the fact that he can dishwash, cook, busboy, waiter, work the takeout counter, decorate cakes, prep cook, and has the experience to do all those things correctly. Profits my ass.
 
The best advice I could realistically offer you is to try and work for a small company. Not one that you think will go out of business soon...a place with only one or two locations that gets a steady flow of business. They have much less shady business procedures and are more appreciative of their employees, you would probably start at a good wage and get raises quickly.
 
find a job that does 13's

Thats 3 13 hour days. sure you will work your ass off, but it allows you to work another part time job and if you work it right, you can get off your 13hour shift, go to your part time job and only work 3 days a week bringing in nearly a decent paycheck. Thats 4 days off to dick around or make more money.

Be glad you dont live in Mexico where a wage is 20 cents a box. It takes about 30 minutes to pick a box of fruit.
 
You should really consider it. Theres good money in Alberta. Have you ever watched the DAily Show befor? They visited a town there becuase they herd the money that teens who worked part-time made was ridicolously high.
 
Though i agree with your statements about your pay and sit. (I didn't read it all though) I will have to say that, their claims to not need to give you a raise become justified because they also have higher taxes and so forth.

My attention is divided at the moment so any of this could be a counterclaim and what not.

I'll try to make it simple but not harsh, or offensive. Like a thought im just throwing out there. Alright, your getting or were getting paid some 8 bucks an hour and they say that's is top rate pay. You work all the shit shifts, big deal. If the company can fire you and hire somebody else who can do the work then they have complete control and you have no leverage to get a raise. Let's say you were a chef, a damn good one. Not only that, you were the only chef within 100 miles of your location that met the criteria of the job. This "job" needed you. If you weren't there the business would lose a shit load of income. Now you have the leverage. Almost to say, you would be blackmailing them. You hold all the cards.

but if you don't have that leverage and you work well and proficiently, in due time you will get another raise.

besides thats 8 bucks an hour. I get 5 bucks an hour starting pay, so suck it up a little.
 
Shit...im trying to get fired. I literally told my manager if he did not like it, he could fire me. He smiled and said that would never happen. Funny thing is, I make good money I just FUCKING HATE the place. I hate it with every fiber of my being. For a lot of reasons. But I can not quit, and they will not fire me, and I make well above the average for my area. So, as much as I am looking for another job, its hard to leave that money, but I am tired of the hours, and the bullshit stuff that goes on that I can't mention, and most of all, Im tired of the business and the "needs of the business." I hate the way my clients get treated, they never outright lie, but close fucking enough. Fuck it, lets all quit our jobs and move to cambodia or somewhere where we can live like gods for the rest of our lives off ten grand or so. who's with me?
 
You're getting shat on, no question, by the current employer. And yes, you're right, a lot of companies are like that. Paying the bare minimum, unless federal law or competition forces them to do otherwise.

Do you have your resume posted anywhere? My husband put his on-line and had 3 job offers the next day. You can post for local jobs only, or leave the geographic location open. And don't be modest on your resume. Be truthful (for the most part), but don't hide your talents and skills.

Another option is to consider a "union represented" job. I'm not totally supportive of what unions have become (in some cases), but their negotiated contract language usually includes regularly scheduled raises and an annual cost of living increase. Most union contracts also include tuition aid for employees.

Having to worry about money is a pisser (understatement).
 
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