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backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:04 PM Jul 2018

I'm going to be brave tomorrow! Updated

(I hope)

So, I'm disabled, but need a part time job to make ends meet.

Yesterday, I went for a job interview at a gas station and the manager hired me on the spot. Told me to start today.

After my 4 hour shift of ringing orders, stocking shelves,...he tells me "by the way, you're in training for two days. We don't pay for training"


I am uncomfortable among the best of conflict. So, my spine withered away and I just said "see ya tomorrow"

Now, I may not be confrontational, but I'm puttin on my boots and going to ask him he knows it's the LAW to pay for this kind of occupational training?? Bright and early 8am, before I begin work.

Anyways, I really liked the job, so I hope he'll change his tune when I tell him I don't work for free.

It's easy to walk off a job....it's alot harder to lose or quit for social conviction. I hope I don't have to notify the labor board and he'll just pay me and I can continue employment.

End of rant. I need some good vibes!

30 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm going to be brave tomorrow! Updated (Original Post) backtoblue Jul 2018 OP
Good vibes. I know jobs are hard to come by. I once volunteered to applegrove Jul 2018 #1
I think I'm gonna take one for the team backtoblue Jul 2018 #2
You are just great. applegrove Jul 2018 #4
Aww! backtoblue Jul 2018 #6
You are rich in character. And you are helping the people who come behind you. applegrove Jul 2018 #8
Don't forget, he owes you for the work you already did More_Cowbell Jul 2018 #13
I'm definitely going to remind him of that backtoblue Jul 2018 #14
So much love for ya. Corvo Bianco Jul 2018 #3
Thank you!!! backtoblue Jul 2018 #12
Good work, elleng Jul 2018 #5
We'll see! backtoblue Jul 2018 #7
Sounds great to elleng Jul 2018 #9
Certainly doesn't sound right. peacebuzzard Jul 2018 #10
The whole shebang. backtoblue Jul 2018 #11
Will be thinking of you, peacebuzzard Jul 2018 #16
We have a website in out town. Privately run as a business. Takes help wanted and other ads. 3Hotdogs Jul 2018 #15
Good on the employee s for not having that crap! backtoblue Jul 2018 #23
Best wishes Back to Blue...wow, wished he could have told you upfront about not getting paid... SWBTATTReg Jul 2018 #17
Hi there Reg! backtoblue Jul 2018 #24
👏👏👏👏💜💜💜💜👏👏👏👏 irisblue Jul 2018 #18
Called the state labor board backtoblue Jul 2018 #22
great work! KT2000 Jul 2018 #25
Proud of you irisblue Jul 2018 #28
Update; backtoblue Jul 2018 #19
Good luck, elleng Jul 2018 #20
There are also penalties for paying you late More_Cowbell Jul 2018 #21
I think you made the right choice. If this guy's first interaction Squinch Jul 2018 #26
This makes me sad. stevil Jul 2018 #27
good for you. You are a principled human being and ellenrr Aug 2018 #30
Dear Backtoblue...how are you doing today? SWBTATTReg Jul 2018 #29

applegrove

(123,130 posts)
1. Good vibes. I know jobs are hard to come by. I once volunteered to
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:10 PM
Jul 2018

get experience and I learnt alot. I would not want to give you any advice and lose a job. I'm backing you up though... That is not right. Your boss is the exploitative type. I would do the extra day without pay. Get the job. Do it well. And immediately start looking for a new and better one. He has proven that you don't owe him anything.

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
2. I think I'm gonna take one for the team
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:14 PM
Jul 2018

I refuse to work for free. I will find another job if this one doesn't work out. It's just hard, too because I've been in management for nearly 15 years. I can't let him continue to with hold his workers pay illegally.

More_Cowbell

(2,204 posts)
13. Don't forget, he owes you for the work you already did
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:52 PM
Jul 2018

You can google your state's employment department for help if you need it.

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
14. I'm definitely going to remind him of that
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 10:16 PM
Jul 2018

I wasn't holding a "will work for free" sign when I walked in there.

Corvo Bianco

(1,148 posts)
3. So much love for ya.
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:15 PM
Jul 2018

When you know what you stand for it's not worth it to absorb someone else's sins. Sending you poise while you speak truth

elleng

(136,071 posts)
5. Good work,
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:18 PM
Jul 2018

and happy to hear about your positive attitude, going to ask him he knows it's the LAW to pay for this kind of occupational training?

I'm particularly pissed he told you AFTER, but I guess that's how many of them 'rock.'

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
7. We'll see!
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:22 PM
Jul 2018

Not looking forward to it, but I know it's the right thing to do.

Maybe this could be the start of a grassroots general strike. Make the employers follow the law.
(Pipe dream, I know lol)

peacebuzzard

(5,266 posts)
10. Certainly doesn't sound right.
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:33 PM
Jul 2018

Were you in “training” today doing all that work?
Is this a franchise ?
I would ask him how many hours a day this free training will be scheduled.
Is the “training” in a different room? Or in the public store,
Glad you liked it, though.

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
11. The whole shebang.
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 09:35 PM
Jul 2018

Filled ice machine, cleaned bathrooms. I have a bad back too, but that's not his fault.

3Hotdogs

(13,398 posts)
15. We have a website in out town. Privately run as a business. Takes help wanted and other ads.
Thu Jul 12, 2018, 11:28 PM
Jul 2018

So this business was opening up in a neighboring town and placed an ad looking for a store clerk. It was a juice bar.

"We will see how you work for two weeks at no pay and if it works, we will hire you. If not, oh well."

Several posters responded that her plan was illegal and if you can't afford to pay, maybe you shouldn't open a store.


Anyways, the store stayed in business for about 4 months and then closed.

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
23. Good on the employee s for not having that crap!
Sat Jul 14, 2018, 04:54 PM
Jul 2018

When we support labor rights and laws, we are always on the right side!

We can't take our rights for granted.... especially now! Grassroots baby!

SWBTATTReg

(24,094 posts)
17. Best wishes Back to Blue...wow, wished he could have told you upfront about not getting paid...
Fri Jul 13, 2018, 06:00 AM
Jul 2018

for initial hours...perhaps after a while, you might get paid for those hours later? Perhaps businesses have a waiting or probationary period of time before paying such wages? I've heard of this concept before, but not too often.

Good luck to you and Best wishes...

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
24. Hi there Reg!
Sat Jul 14, 2018, 04:57 PM
Jul 2018

Hope you've been having a good summer! It's so stinking hot right now!

I'm proud to be making a stand for labor rights.


Preying on minimum wage employees in poverty is reprehensible!


Talk to ya soon!

irisblue

(34,265 posts)
18. 👏👏👏👏💜💜💜💜👏👏👏👏
Fri Jul 13, 2018, 07:56 AM
Jul 2018

And if he sends you away, call the StateEEOC & start a complaint.


Prroud of you

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
22. Called the state labor board
Sat Jul 14, 2018, 04:50 PM
Jul 2018

I'm going to fill out a formal complaint online. I talked to another employee who says the company doesn't pay overtime.

One small step to defend workers rights!
The lady at the labor board was so nice and helpful too. She said not enough employees come forward because they're afraid of losing their job.

I have fallback income, so losing this job is not catastrophic to my family.

My hope is that the company can make the necessary and legal changes needed to keep them in business. We need employers. But we need employers who obey the law.

backtoblue

(11,682 posts)
19. Update;
Fri Jul 13, 2018, 11:21 AM
Jul 2018

I woke up this morning so sore that I decided to call the owner before going into work.

I asked him if he knew that it was illegal to withhold training pay. He told me that it wasn't true and it was company policy.

I told him I would not be coming in as an unpaid worker today, or ever.

I am going to notify the state labor board.

Then, I'm gonna look for better, honest, employment. I survive on SSDI and make it work.
.( Just barely)
It would just be nice to get out of the house a few days a week and have a little cushion of emergency funds.

Thanks everyone for sending your awesome vibes!

It's going to be alright. It has to.

More_Cowbell

(2,204 posts)
21. There are also penalties for paying you late
Fri Jul 13, 2018, 08:17 PM
Jul 2018

He usually would have, I think, 3 business days to pay you if you quit without notice. Your state labor board will know.

Squinch

(52,745 posts)
26. I think you made the right choice. If this guy's first interaction
Sat Jul 14, 2018, 07:31 PM
Jul 2018

with you is to scam you, it wouldn't be a good place to work.

Good luck finding the right place.

ellenrr

(3,864 posts)
30. good for you. You are a principled human being and
Sat Aug 25, 2018, 07:46 AM
Aug 2018

you are taking care of yourself with dignity. You deserve a good job.

SWBTATTReg

(24,094 posts)
29. Dear Backtoblue...how are you doing today?
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 11:29 AM
Jul 2018

I hope that this guy doesn't stick it to you, and by the way he sounds and acts so far, it seems like he's done this a few times already (stuck it to those he's hired in the past, by paying zip for initial hours)...by filing against him w/ the labor board, at least the minimum you can achieve is that you provided a record of what's he has done to you, and perhaps in the past others have done so too.

I just wanted to touch base w/ you and see how you are doing...

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