my daughter is going to quit her first job

[cookiedough]

she's 16 and her first job in a small retail clothing store.  Been there almost 9 months for mininum wage at 7.25 per hour,  2-5 days per week after school/weekends.  Never missed a day of scheduled work, took on extra shifts always when called upon when someone called in sick, and was always on time for work, never late. 

Her 6 month probationary period was up at end of December 2014.  No formal review was done still which was suppose to be done at end of 6 month probation period,  just ONLY ONE negative thing was brought up before the 6 months which was she is basically to bug customers more asking the female clientel if they need more assistance while trying on clothing thus reaching her quota of 400 dollars in sales in one day of work.  Hard to make 400 bucks in sales every single night in a small town retail clothing store if you ask me if working 4-7:30 p.m. only 3 1/2 hours per night after school is all.  Plus, she has to drive from our town to that town 15 miles away burning her own gas money.  All for about 20 bucks per day during weekdays after school and then minus off 5 bucks per gas per day so only 15 bucks profit is all.   NOT ONE good thing was said about her work ethic in that meeting before first 6 months, ONLY thing that was said was one negative thing about having to be more pushy sales person is all which is NOT right, especially for a young person on their first 'real' job in the working world.   Nice way to build confidence - NOT!

Anyways, she confronted the store manager tonight about seeing about a raise off mininum wage and she said that is not going to happen, her hands are supposedly tied, corporate only gives raises in October (yearly) and she missed out on the first raise since was on probation during the first 6 months June-December 2014. 

I know dozens of kids in high school locally and all make between 8-9 bucks per hour (or more) and all have gotten off minimum wage, if starting at that even,  after the 6 month probationary period.  Heck, even fast food places starting pay is over mininum wage paying 8 bucks on up even for 16 year old kids. 

Not many 16 year old kids show up for work daily,  do their job without having to be a pushy sales person, for minimum wage.   To have to wait 1 year and 5 months for a raise off mininum wage is so NOT right in today's world. 

My 16 year old daughter just told me she even got hired 3 months before the 18 year old girl in that retail clothing store, a senior in high school vs. my daughter a junior, and she started off and still making 8 bucks per hour vs. my daughter's 7.25 per hour simply because she had job experience at Walmart for less than 1 year across the street prior and that was my daughter's first part time job.  Such B.S., no better nor worse worker being equal.

Wife and I both told her to quit which she wanted to do the past 2-3 months anyways since she has tons of school events going on now.  WE both told her though months ago to give it a chance after 6 months probationary and see what they say or do at least which now we know is nothing.  So sick of employers taking advantage of good workers whether first time high schoolers or us older farts being age discriminated against.    I was about ready to go into the store the day we had the 9" blizzard and I drove her into work in a snowstorm since didn't want her driving in the blizzard wouldn't make it in except our 4wd truck.  WE pulled up 15 minutes prior to work, the lady in charge (not the mgr.) flagged me to NOT leave since they just decided to close the store for the day.  I was pissed should have marched on in and said give me 5 bucks in gas then you idiot!  If they cannot make up their minds 30 minutes prior to opening on whether to not open the store and call my daughter's cell phone BEFORE driving into work (only 2 people are scheduled to work since small retail clothing store), since would not get much retail business in that blizzard no one was on the roads besides us idiots, I say that the mgmt. in charge along with the store itself doesn't deserve business or employees.

Plus, if they cannot find one good thing to say about her work ethic and instead just one negative being to be more pushy basically in sales selling their clothing, piss on em!  She and the wife already bought enough female clothing from that store anyways at a 45% discount. 

She is going to file a formal complaint with corporate mostly due to the fact that there was NO formal review done at the end of the 6 month probationary period which was suppose to be done and still almost 9 months later none either, plus NO positive comments were made at all only one negative thing was said during the entire time there.  Hopefully the store mgr. gets fired but highly doubt it.

Am sure there will be many more part time jobs in her future, but probably not making mininum wage for that long.  I'm hoping she can pick up a job at the local cheese packaging plant in our own tiny town after school without having to drive 35 minutes total per day to the next biggest town all for minimum wage.  I told her she should have taken a job as a pick/packer during 2nd shift with me at my work (driving together saving gas) I could have gotten her in for 3 months working 4-10 p.m. after school for only 3 months busy season from Oct-mid December making 9.50 per hour which then she would have made more money during those 3 months vs. 9 months at this retail clothing store with limited hours.  She wouldn't listen to me and decided to get this retail job all on her own which she did which is more than I can say about some of her kids in her class getting local jobs with family members or having mom/pop getting her in at a local in-town place simply because mom/dad had 'connections' not needing an employee at all, just hired because is a friend of a friend.

One thing I have learned in my 25+ years of working:  It is NOT what you know, but WHO you know that lands you a job.

rant off!

[wiggydotcom]

Mike,

I feel for your daughter. It sounds like she did everything right and quite a lot was expected of her for those short hours. I don't have the answer for why corporations can operate that way. That's very unrealistic to expect a minimum wage employee to go over a year without a raise. To not recognize her assets isn't good business sense.

I wouldn't blame her for moving on and wish her the best in her next endeavor!

Stress to her that she did everything right and she should be proud of her attendance and work ethic. Someday it will pay off.

[cookiedough]

thanks for the kind words, sorry I ranted on and on, but just ticks me off the entire corporate workforce seems to be like this around us all.

She hasn't quit yet, but more than likely will let them know this weekend.  I was originally against quitting a month ago, but can see her point now always working those hours they wanted her to, did a decent job, and not getting any reward whatsoever for well over 1 year of employment at minimum wage, NOT even a 'good job' or 'thanks' ever. 

Am sure she will be a tad upset about it since we are not quitters even though we all feel like quitting our jobs near daily.  It is not like it is her life long goal job or anything and she realizes that.

Even my wife who makes 2x's what I make,  is fed up with corporate bullshit and the idiots we have to work with.   My wife got offered a job as A/P manager making about 10K or so more money per year.  She declined it even though she is partially doing that new A/P person's job and her own full time job now since the new A/P mgr. is an idiot literally putting in 10 hour days forever.  When asked why she did not take it, she said she would have to fire all but 1 of the A/P clerks since 5 of the 6 are worthless and deserve to be fired.  Yet, they still, just like my work, keep the deadbeats who are not pulling even 1/2 of their worth of what they are getting paid.   

[Gryphon Rider]

Let me get this straight. Her boss is telling her her job is selling clothes. You are telling her her job is simply being a warm body at the store, to complain when she doesn't get a review, and to be bitter about others being paid more. It looks like you are setting her up to live life after your example, with a huge chip on her shoulder.

[old2soon]

On time worked extra hours and some holidays when asked and the brain dead idjits that came in late and left early got the perks cause they "knew/know" someone!  And the bosses or managers family members-DO NOT get me started.  Sounds to me like your daughter has her head on straight and refuses to give up. Ask her to consider this first job a "life lesson".  We ALL need those!  You are normal far as being a Dad goes-we tend to watch out for our daughters.  And we HATE to se them "messed with" gets our blood up doncha know?  RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

Let me get this straight. Her boss is telling her her job is selling clothes. You are telling her her job is simply being a warm body at the store, to complain when she doesn't get a review, and to be bitter about others being paid more. It looks like you are setting her up to live life after your example, with a huge chip on her shoulder.

your view, not mine. She does more than just standing around doing nothing and does help customers, but hounding as a sales clerk is not one of them.  She comes in when no one else will  off working 'open' store hours to mark new incoming clothes and take other clothes off the shelving, even cleans the bathrooms, etc..  The 6 month probationary review is mandatory HAS to be done and NEVER was.  Not bitter at all being paid less, just not recognized and won't be recognized for a job well done for over 1 year, 5 months on minimum wage no less.  You have no clue on our lives and don't expect you to understand!!!!  She even got a nasty facial 6" long scratch on her cheek decorating the storefront glass window with huge cardboard cutouts  during Xmas that fell down unexpectedly making her bleed/scar.  NO accident report even was filled out for it, more than just a paper cut. All the store manager did was laugh thnking it was funny.   I could go on and on but is obvious you don't get it at all.   

[Robert]

I guess you guys have never worked retail before? I also guess that you have never worked before? I understand completely cookiedough your upsetment and personal bias towards your daughter. It also is not without merit either, but with that said retail is not easy and personalities abound. The cost of a retail store and the constant upkeep to do things right is well beyond what most understand. Window displays, cost of merchandise, rent costs, labor costs moving merchandise around so people see it. Also most workers that come in do not care and most mgrs are the very same kids or people that have worked their own way up to become mgrs. Which is usually accomplished by moving from one store to another with a resume or just a recommendation that said you ran the store then are promoted to mgr of the new store. Work ethic is a personal thing good work ethic is rare recognizing it is even rarer. Because most in these positions are not geared to corp achievement or goals of becoming the best sales person they can. Most are there for a job and on the job training consists of finding your own way to make the quotas that you need to. Some find that wearing the clothes and being a personal mannequin is a good way. Some discover its like most a service and personal business. That if you take a personal interest in the people that walk in and are genuinely knowledgeable how to put together a outfit and that person goes out and looks good they will be back and look for you.  Did I mention theft in clothes and merchandise also as over head or theft from the cash register. Well I think you get the idea. Does anyone have any idea how much rent the stores pay in a mall just to be there? That is a monthly nut that is unbelievable. The hours that she works are probably the hours that they may need to help extra customers at a busy time, hence the push for sales.  Not to mention there are not to many positions out there for those amount of hours or that kind of freedom.
  Like I said I understand your upsetment and applaud the efforts and personal convictions that both of you have but this is a learning experience and not a permanent job. So learn, see what your daughter can do, can she make the quota what does it take, is it even possible without being a total pushy shrew to the customers, what are the interests of the people coming in, how is the store run what policies work and don't work all will help her in her next position regardless of what it is. Don't be so quick to encourage her to quit, because she took the motivation to do this what does she want to do and how will this play into the next position in life. Direct her and allow her to see how the world really is without the true life consequences or maybe be in a position that this is all that is available to her. Reward motivation and good ideas that she has to motivate her to make something of herself. She sounds like a great girl and is off to a good start, the type of encouragement she needs is to do exactly what you are doing be there for her and help and guide when things do not work the way she expects. Its learning and no one will see the qualities in your daughter like you do unless they are aware and take a personal interest in her. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Let me get this straight. Her boss is telling her her job is selling clothes. You are telling her her job is simply being a warm body at the store, to complain when she doesn't get a review, and to be bitter about others being paid more. It looks like you are setting her up to live life after your example, with a huge chip on her shoulder.

+1, C.D. are you sure you want your daughter to go thru the rest of her work life feeling the same way you have felt in yours ? These are her formative years, I would try to make things as positive as you can.

[ricoman]

I think Gryphon rider and Meathead covered it pretty well.
Let her live her life and learn from it. Without your negativism, she will do just fine and develop her own opinions and work ethic..
She gets there on time and works hard-something too many never learn to do.
Don't let your sour grapes and complaining get in her way of learning a little bit about life. Let her smile-no need for you to rub it off her face.

[Stars and Stripes]

That's why there are Unions   

[Daddie O]

I find irony in a bunch of conservatives complaining about minimum wage not being enough/not worth it to spend the gas and time at a job. 

So your daughter got hired as a salesperson, and did her job except for the sales part, and you have determined she deserves a raise.  I have a news flash for you.  The less your daughter gets paid, the more profit the company makes.  They don't give raises out of the goodness of their heart, they only give raises if it is an investment that makes them more money.  A part-time sales girl with an aversion to selling is not a money-maker for them.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour.  I guess that makes me some kind of commie socialist pinko right?  I'm sure the business will do the right thing though right?  Let the "free market" take care of it, because we all know the corporations are only looking to reward dedicated hard workers.   

[ricoman]

I find irony in a bunch of conservatives complaining about minimum wage not being enough/not worth it to spend the gas and time at a job. 

So your daughter got hired as a salesperson, and did her job except for the sales part, and you have determined she deserves a raise.  I have a news flash for you.  The less your daughter gets paid, the more profit the company makes.  They don't give raises out of the goodness of their heart, they only give raises if it is an investment that makes them more money.  A part-time sales girl with an aversion to selling is not a money-maker for them.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour.  I guess that makes me some kind of commie socialist pinko right?  I'm sure the business will do the right thing though right?  Let the "free market" take care of it, because we all know the corporations are only looking to reward dedicated hard workers.   

you've obviously never owned your own business

[Misfit]

I didn't read past the part where she took a job 15 miles away and was forced to burn her own gas to get to work. Just a crazy thought question, who's gas was she suppose to burn? 

[Edvalk]

Retail clothing sales jobs are the worst jobs out there. Most of the time kids take these jobs just to get a discount on the latest fashion . If it weren't for these types of jobs no one would strive for more. Let her figure it out ,sounds like she has her head on straight .

[The emperor has no clothes]

I find irony in a bunch of conservatives complaining about minimum wage not being enough/not worth it to spend the gas and time at a job. 

So your daughter got hired as a salesperson, and did her job except for the sales part, and you have determined she deserves a raise.  I have a news flash for you.  The less your daughter gets paid, the more profit the company makes.  They don't give raises out of the goodness of their heart, they only give raises if it is an investment that makes them more money.  A part-time sales girl with an aversion to selling is not a money-maker for them.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour.  I guess that makes me some kind of commie socialist pinko right?  I'm sure the business will do the right thing though right?  Let the "free market" take care of it, because we all know the corporations are only looking to reward dedicated hard workers.   

Daddie-O, you are back

[Robert]

In response to the minimum wage increase I also agree that it should go up a bit but lets look at this. The health care field is one of the few that has cost of living increases without pause. Most in the real world have actually taken a cut on pay, between inflation, devaluation of the dollar and since the Fed is printing more and more dollars the dollars value has fallen significantly. Between O care tax and these causes most have taken a serious cut in income. This coupled with increased cost to start and run a business along with the lack of training or caring to some who start in the work force is a real problem. Why should minimum wage go up when most wages have actually taken a cut? Why should I pay someone who I am training and putting up with the nonsense that goes along with someone just looking for money and not putting their all into a business that I work my butt off for? Its really easy to sit in a field that you are a worker in and not have your all invested in that its no skin off your nose that you take out of your pocket to have minimum wage go up.

[RainMaker]

A company offers you an amount to work for them and if you accept it, it's not the company's fault if you don't like what you are being paid.  You can choose to continue accepting the amount offered or find a different place to work.  Your daughter needs to decide this herself.  As she is not working full time, she should be able to interview and find another job she will like better now that she has experience. Blaming the company for this makes no sense - as with almost any job, you can quit if you don't like it.

I've worked for large companies and supervised groups of people, determining their pay rate on a yearly review basis.  For the same position, there was a range of how much people were being paid.  The high performers made more, the lesser performers, less.  If the job required a certain dollar amount of sales to cover the salary, taxes, insurance, regulatory issues, Overhead, etc. for the person, then that was the benchmark.  If a person could not consistently meet the benchmark (quota) after they were encouraged, trained, retrained, etc, then they would be replaced.  It costs a lot more to recruit than it does to bring a current employee up to speed, so replacement of someone was never the first choice.

Keeping people on who aren't meeting quotas and then giving them raises just because they show up for work everyday will eventually lead to a company closing as they don't have the profits necessary to continue in business.  The property owner, the electric company, the alarm company, the vendors - they need to be paid so that they can pay their employees and continue in business themselves.  They aren't concerned with how nice you are to your employees - they just want to be paid.

Bottom line: to the company, your daughter is worth $7.25 per hour.  If she travels 15 miles each way, that was her choice.  No one can tell you where to live nor can they exclude you from working based upon distance to the work location. Here again, she had the choice.

Should she disagree (I know you do) then she should go out and find a job that pays more and prove them wrong.  

[Moonshot_1]

Curious as to what your daughter is interested in.

If she is into fashion, maybe you need to look at this as a stepping stone and look at it as an investment of time in the industry, albeit a small one. While she isn't getting paid much, if her passion is in the fashion industry, this could be a great learning experience as it relates to retail promotions, trends, and sales.

If this is "just a job" then she needs to get out of there and find a better one.

As to how she is treated at the job....welcome to the world of retail. It can be fun, you can be creative, you can be outgoing and energetic. But retail is hard. Profits don't generally come easy.  

[J.Mencalice]

Sorry pal, but here it comes.

#1 Your daughter is 16.  She knows nothing about life.  She hasn't earned the right to comment on what working is about.  She hasn't worked any quantity of time to gain any knowledge about what a work ethic is actually.
#2 If she thinks she's in charge of this business or how it's run, she's getting her first big surprise.
#3 If she thinks that she's going to dictate the terms of her employment in any job she ever holds in her lifetime and working for someone else, she's in for a long life of disappointment in the hired hand sector.  Her second big surprise.
#4 She should complete her education to the highest level she can in a field that she can excell in and   find the best possible employment in her chosen field of endeavor.
#5.Have her realize this:  You can only be responsible for your own incompetence, not the incompetence of others.  She won't hear that at her high school graduation.
#6. Shortly, there will be no more middle class.  If you punch a time clock you will be in the lower class.
#7. An immigrant kid will gratefully take her job and work twice as hard for half the pay and one day become president of the company.
#8. She'll be working for him/her.
#9. Sorry for the frankness, but that's life.
#10 You are being a good dad and looking out for her.  Don't stop doing that, but let her take her knocks like you and I and everyone has.  Overcoming adversity builds character.

[FLAVALK]

My advice to her would be to take a lesson from this and move on. Retail clothing is one of the WORST jobs to get into. My daughter worked retail for a couple of years thinking she would do well all the while I was begging/lecturing her to quit. You will NOT make any money and they will work you to death. Move up to manager and work twice as hard and you still make no money

I don't believe unions are the answer and neither is a $10-$15 minimum wage (that's absurd). The answer is, don't take that job, improve yourself to become more marketable and get a good job. This is a foreign concept to progressive/liberals 

[Gryphon Rider]

your view, not mine. She does more than just standing around doing nothing and does help customers, but hounding as a sales clerk is not one of them.  She comes in when no one else will  off working 'open' store hours to mark new incoming clothes and take other clothes off the shelving, even cleans the bathrooms, etc..  The 6 month probationary review is mandatory HAS to be done and NEVER was.  Not bitter at all being paid less, just not recognized and won't be recognized for a job well done for over 1 year, 5 months on minimum wage no less.  You have no clue on our lives and don't expect you to understand!!!!  She even got a nasty facial 6" long scratch on her cheek decorating the storefront glass window with huge cardboard cutouts  during Xmas that fell down unexpectedly making her bleed/scar.  NO accident report even was filled out for it, more than just a paper cut. All the store manager did was laugh thnking it was funny.   I could go on and on but is obvious you don't get it at all.   

I've worked in retail clothing part time for a season as an adult.  While I don't know everything about the business, I got lots of opportunity to talk with the manager, also an adult, who's made a career with the company, and got a fair amount of insight into the business.  Like all of us, I also had lots of experience as a customer, and was a quick enough study that during the time I was there I quickly became the highest dollars-per-hour sales person at that location, while being paid a bottom-rung hourly wage and a bottom-rung commission.  I made a little money, learned a little, and had a lot of fun.

The key to success at any job where you have a boss is to work hard to accomplish your supervisor's goals and HIS supervisor's goals, as much as you are able with the power you have been given.  Make your bosses look good and their jobs easier.  Make yourself more valuable to them than the wages they pay you.  Make yourself likeable to your coworkers so that when you get rewarded for your efforts and possibly promoted above them, they won't resent it (as much).

I'm not familiar with Wisconsin laws regarding job reviews, but I would think that any time she's working a light shift with her supervisor, she can ask her/him how she's doing and if she can get specific pointers for sales techniques or other job skills.  As far as wages are concerned, other store managers at the mall are probably scouting to poach the best employees, and the best time to ask for a raise is when she has an offer in hand.

[da prez]

  It is easier to go from a job to a job , than unemployment to a job.
  Find another job , tell them you wish to give notice , but if they fire you , can I start right away.

                                      da prez

[BF]

I find irony in a bunch of conservatives complaining about minimum wage not being enough/not worth it to spend the gas and time at a job.  

So your daughter got hired as a salesperson, and did her job except for the sales part, and you have determined she deserves a raise.  I have a news flash for you.  The less your daughter gets paid, the more profit the company makes.  They don't give raises out of the goodness of their heart, they only give raises if it is an investment that makes them more money.  A part-time sales girl with an aversion to selling is not a money-maker for them.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour.    I'm sure the business will do the right thing though right?  Let the "free market" take care of it, because we all know the corporations are only looking to reward dedicated hard workers.  

I guess that makes me some kind of commie socialist pinko right?


you've obviously never owned your own business

Why just stop at $15?

Why not $20....or $25 or $30.....or a $100?  

btw....You said it, not anyone else here. 

Also, in case you've never taken Econ 101, business are in business to make a profit. 

[J.Mencalice]

I find irony in a bunch of conservatives complaining about minimum wage not being enough/not worth it to spend the gas and time at a job.  

So your daughter got hired as a salesperson, and did her job except for the sales part, and you have determined she deserves a raise.  I have a news flash for you.  The less your daughter gets paid, the more profit the company makes.  They don't give raises out of the goodness of their heart, they only give raises if it is an investment that makes them more money.  A part-time sales girl with an aversion to selling is not a money-maker for them.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour.    I'm sure the business will do the right thing though right?  Let the "free market" take care of it, because we all know the corporations are only looking to reward dedicated hard workers.  

I guess that makes me some kind of commie socialist pinko right?


you've obviously never owned your own business

Why just stop at $15?

Why not $20....or $25 or $30.....or a $100?  

btw....You said it, not anyone else here.  

Also, in case you've never taken Econ 101, business are in business to make a profit.  

Hot off the press from CNBC!!  Starting in April, WalMart is gonna increase their minimum wage to $9 per hour and by February 1, 2016 it will skyrocket to $10 per hour minimum.   The economy will surge!!!
Tell your daughter that there is HOPE under the Obama administration arriving in a mere six weeks!!!   Get on down to the local WallyWorld and get that application signed pronto!!!
Of course, we all know that CNBC stands for Communist National Broadcasting Committee

[Mike R]

I find irony in a bunch of conservatives complaining about minimum wage not being enough/not worth it to spend the gas and time at a job. 

So your daughter got hired as a salesperson, and did her job except for the sales part, and you have determined she deserves a raise.  I have a news flash for you.  The less your daughter gets paid, the more profit the company makes.  They don't give raises out of the goodness of their heart, they only give raises if it is an investment that makes them more money.  A part-time sales girl with an aversion to selling is not a money-maker for them.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour.  I guess that makes me some kind of commie socialist pinko right?  I'm sure the business will do the right thing though right?  Let the "free market" take care of it, because we all know the corporations are only looking to reward dedicated hard workers.   

If you believe that people are "Deserving" of a specified pay rate rather than earning it......Yes, you are a commie socialist. The only way you should be judged as to your worth is what value do you bring to the table. If you can make money for the owner you have more value to them than someone that simply thinks they want more.

The whole purpose of owning or running a business is to make a profit. There is nothing inherently wrong with people that are rich. I am so tired of others vilifying wealthy people. Let me ask you this.....How many poor people have given you a job? I'm guessing none!

This entitlement attitude that this younger generation has can not be sustained. A McDonalds worker making $15.00/hr? You have got to be kidding me. These are entry level jobs, you take what you can get, gain some experience and advance yourself to higher paying jobs and positions. Nobody owes any of this to you.

[JimC]

Cookie,
Sounds like your daughter just learned a large lesson in life, whether she worked as hard as possible or not, it just may help her understand the importance of a good education.  I would re-think about leaving on bad terms though, she will need that referral down the line for a better job! Resist the temptation to have the last say so to speak.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour. 

As far as wages, this thread has brought up a sore subject with me. All the talk about raising the minimum wage to $12 or $15 per hour is horse crap. Do the people out there that believe this realize a full time Staff Sergeant in the Army only makes $12.58 per hour. When all the drugged up high school drop out dish washers deserve what our active military supervisors get paid, our country will be so far in the dumps that we will never get out.  (if we are not there already)   

Below are the pay rates for full time starting positions in the US Army. (Divide them up by 2080 hours)

Private (E1)                    $18,378         $8.83   p/h
Private (E2)                   $20,602.80     $9.90   p/h   
Private First Class(E3)           $21,664.80     $10.41   p/h
Specialist or Corporal (E4)   $23,994        $11.53 p/h
Sergeant (E5)                   $26,172        $12.58 p/h 
Staff Sergeant (E6)           $28,569.60     $13.73   p/h

I would guess that there are incentives added onto the above rates, but in my mind there will never be a time that some burger flipper is worth more than our active military.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Cookie,
Sounds like your daughter just learned a large lesson in life, whether she worked as hard as possible or not, it just may help her understand the importance of a good education.  I would re-think about leaving on bad terms though, she will need that referral down the line for a better job! Resist the temptation to have the last say so to speak.

In my opinion, your daughter should make at least 10 dollars an hour, and probably closer to 15 an hour. 

As far as wages, this thread has brought up a sore subject with me. All the talk about raising the minimum wage to $12 or $15 per hour is horse crap. Do the people out there that believe this realize a full time Staff Sergeant in the Army only makes $12.58 per hour. When all the drugged up high school drop out dish washers deserve what our active military supervisors get paid, our country will be so far in the dumps that we will never get out.  (if we are not there already)   

Below are the pay rates for full time starting positions in the US Army. (Divide them up by 2080 hours)

Private (E1)                    $18,378         $8.83   p/h
Private (E2)                   $20,602.80     $9.90   p/h   
Private First Class(E3)           $21,664.80     $10.41   p/h
Specialist or Corporal (E4)   $23,994        $11.53 p/h
Sergeant (E5)                   $26,172        $12.58 p/h 
Staff Sergeant (E6)           $28,569.60     $13.73   p/h

I would guess that there are incentives added onto the above rates, but in my mind there will never be a time that some burger flipper is worth more than our active military.

I would agree that burger flippers are not more valuable than military personnel. But the free housing, meals, healthcare is worth quite a bit.

[Rams]

I guess you guys have never worked retail before?

Until you've worked on  the other side of the counter, you have no clue of how rude, brazen, brash, demanding things or services that they are either not provided or not entitled to and uncouth the general public can be.    You have no idea how many thieves are walking around you and making the "company" raise prices due to theft.    

Yes, I work in retail and no, I'm not wired for it.    More than once, I've wanted to drag some jerk wad over the counter after I was called something for simply doing my job.    Don't like the price, complain to corporate, not the person trying to help you.    While the customer thinks they are always right, this is not true.    Just cause you raise a stink doesn't mean I'm going to take back or warranty that item you installed, used and broke.    

[Jeff K]

My father taught me well.
1. The boss is always right. If you think he's not, find a new boss.
b) Never quit a job until you have a new one.
III. If you hate going to work, do your boss and co-workers a favor and find a new job.
4)  Walk fast even if you have no where to go, and nothing to do.
five. Never ask what anyone else makes and never tell anyone how much you make.

Then the word of advice I added for my kids.
F. Never ask "can I go home now" they will tell you when you have been there too long.
g) You don't go to work to make friends, you go to work to make money.



Then there is my personal pack a lunch program...
If you can't find a job, pack a lunch, you may not find a job where you are, but you can pack a luch and go where there are jobs.

I don't live in Florida because I like Florida, I live here because someone pays me to be here.

 

[art]

That's why there are Unions   

Your right. Every place that I've worked in 55 years were like that without a union. Union shops were the best. Decent ( not outrages) money .good working conditions and some benefits. Non union they can treat a person not as a person but as a company TOOL. I'm a person. I don't blame her for quitting. Everybody deserves respect. The money is going to be low in a part time job,that's the way it is.

[Jess from VA]

Jim C, thanks for that refreshing point of view on wages.  

I didn't make diddly in my first few years of private shyster work right out of school.  And guess what, when I went on active duty as a 1st Lt at 31, I took a pay cut.  Course I was prouder of and happier with that work than anything I'd done before (or after), and the free housing, medicals and couple other benefits certainly added to the equation.  

On the other hand, I don't know a whole bunch of military folks who got away with a pure 40 hour work week either (and it wasn't shorter).  Most of the time, you had to get X done in Y time, and it ended up being more than 40 more often than not.  

I think bringing back compulsory service for 2 years would be a good idea.  But on the other hand, the military really should not be saddled with today's you-owe-me-everything-for-nothing crowd.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Jess, I like the idea of compulsory service also. I think it wouldn't have to be just in the military but in some way to serve our country. I think our young people would be better for it and our country better for it also.

[cookiedough]

My father taught me well.
1. The boss is always right. If you think he's not, find a new boss.
b) Never quit a job until you have a new one.
III. If you hate going to work, do your boss and co-workers a favor and find a new job.
4)  Walk fast even if you have no where to go, and nothing to do.
five. Never ask what anyone else makes and never tell anyone how much you make.

Then the word of advice I added for my kids.
F. Never ask "can I go home now" they will tell you when you have been there too long.
g) You don't go to work to make friends, you go to work to make money.

I guess I broke all those rules at one time or another except g:  don't go to work to make friends, go to work to make money. 

Daughter might be asking for reduced hours like 1 night per week is all and try to find something else that pays better and gets respect.  However, if she quits cold turkey, neither her or my wife or me will hold it against her one bit.  It's just a job for fill in raising enough money for her trip to Costa Rica thru school since we as parents were not going to pay for it, too expensive, plus earning a little spending money as well. 

I give her every credit in the world though by getting this job all by herself vs. all the rest of the kids in her junior class got jobs thru mom and pop and friends of the family.  It is not a career job, just a way to earn a little spending money and knew it would not last past high school another 1 year, but thought it would last longer than 9 months.   

Mostly good comments/advice was given. 

[..]

Been a while since daddie-o swooped and pooped.

Good to see he's still full of deposit.  

[JimC]

   meathead said:    I would agree that burger flippers are not more valuable than military personnel. But the free housing, meals, healthcare is worth quite a bit. 

Meathead,
I don't think you meant anything derogatory or demeaning with that comment, (because you are correct) but when I hear that argument, I always think about the military kids that are doing time in the sand pits of the middle east. Ask them how much their free housing is worth.

Jim

[The emperor has no clothes]

   meathead said:    I would agree that burger flippers are not more valuable than military personnel. But the free housing, meals, healthcare is worth quite a bit. 

Meathead,
I don't think you meant anything derogatory or demeaning with that comment, (because you are correct) but when I hear that argument, I always think about the military kids that are doing time in the sand pits of the middle east. Ask them how much their free housing is worth.

Jim

You are correct. I was just trying to point out it was like comparing apples to oranges. 

[Jersey mike]

I hate pushy sales people, I know how to shop for myself. If I don't see something I want I'll ask if it might be in the back.  I don't need someone trying to sell me on an item I'm not interested in.

Good luck to your daughter, but sales jobs suck and dealing with the public sucks too. Real sales people are taught through years of watching good sales people and most are usually cut from similar cloth, having/developing good people skills is the base.

[BF]

   meathead said:    I would agree that burger flippers are not more valuable than military personnel. But the free housing, meals, healthcare is worth quite a bit. 

Meathead,
I don't think you meant anything derogatory or demeaning with that comment, (because you are correct) but when I hear that argument, I always think about the military kids that are doing time in the sand pits of the middle east. Ask them how much their free housing is worth.

Jim

You are correct. I was just trying to point out it was like comparing apples to oranges. 

The lead flying in your direction is usually free also. 

[cookiedough]

I hate pushy sales people, I know how to shop for myself. If I don't see something I want I'll ask if it might be in the back.  I don't need someone trying to sell me on an item I'm not interested in.

Good luck to your daughter, but sales jobs suck and dealing with the public sucks too. Real sales people are taught through years of watching good sales people and most are usually cut from similar cloth, having/developing good people skills is the base.

Same way,  it is nice to have sales people around ONLY if have questions, but the ones who immediately greet you at the door and asks you what you want to see is pushy.  Let customers shop around first but stay nearby in plain view is best.  That is NOT what they are suppose to do at her work.  Suppose to get in the customer's face ASAP while coming in the door and point them to either the sale items or something else just to ring up a sale.  For most,  that is being a pushy sales person, but it is a small, totally women's, retail clothing store chain and some of those women coming into the door prefer that I guess, not many I bet??  Just as bad as car salesmen, if not worse, when they see you driving up and as soon as you get out of your car, they greet you with that dumb look and when you do ask them a question, they know less about the vehicle you want to buy than you do. 

I was in a Kohl's dept. store a month ago and never found my size of tennis shoe on the shelf at a great sales price.  In just the opposite,  NO sales person around for like 15 minutes looking all over the store.  I had to go to the service counter to get someone to show up to help me and go in the back to get my shoe size.  This is the complete opposite of the spectrum.  A happy medium is best in my eyes. 

Several things have happened in that short time to her that is not right:  No mandatory 6 month probationary period review for new employees which they said at the beginning will happen and has not been done yet,  only one negative thing to say is all in the 8+ months there working with no words of encouragement or positive comments, no accident report filled out when her cheek got cut badly and bleeding while working, never called 30 minutes prior to store opening to let her know not opening store in that blizzard and then driving in risking lives for NO reason,  and then finding out recently it will be 1 year and 5 months for a raise off mininum wage which NO ONE in our area working anywhere gets paid that for over 6 months if doing their job properly which she is. 

[Jack]

Send her to WalMart.  They are paying $9/hr starting in April, $10 next April.