I'm going to be brave tomorrow! Updated

[backtoblue]

(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!

[applegrove]

1. Good vibes. I know jobs are hard to come by. I once volunteered to

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]

2. I think I'm gonna take one for the team

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.

[applegrove]

4. You are just great.

[backtoblue]

6. Aww!

I'm gonna be poor my whole life, but not without conviction dammit lol

[applegrove]

8. You are rich in character. And you are helping the people who come behind you.

[More_Cowbell]

13. Don't forget, he owes you for the work you already did

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

[backtoblue]

14. I'm definitely going to remind him of that

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

[Corvo Bianco]

3. So much love for ya.

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

[backtoblue]

12. Thank you!!!

[elleng]

5. Good work,

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]

7. We'll see!

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)

[elleng]

9. Sounds great to

Make the employers follow the law.
(Pipe dream, I know lol)

[peacebuzzard]

10. Certainly doesn't sound right.

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. The whole shebang.

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

[peacebuzzard]

16. Will be thinking of you,

As you straighten out this no pay/ training period.
Hope you get paid!

[3Hotdogs]

15. We have a website in out town. Privately run as a business. Takes help wanted and other ads.

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]

23. Good on the employee s for not having that crap!

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]

17. Best wishes Back to Blue...wow, wished he could have told you upfront about not getting paid...

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]

24. Hi there Reg!

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]

18. 👏👏👏👏💜💜💜💜👏👏👏👏

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


Prroud of you

[backtoblue]

22. Called the state labor board

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.

[KT2000]

25. great work!

you did it for all employees!

[irisblue]

28. Proud of you

[backtoblue]

19. Update;

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.

[elleng]

20. Good luck,

and good ideas.

Sorry you awoke sore; hope you're feeling better.

[More_Cowbell]

21. There are also penalties for paying you late

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

[Squinch]

26. I think you made the right choice. If this guy's first interaction

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

Good luck finding the right place.

[stevil]

27. This makes me sad.

You should have been paid. All the best to you.

[ellenrr]

30. good for you. You are a principled human being and

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

[SWBTATTReg]

29. Dear Backtoblue...how are you doing today?

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...