Wage Drop
Since the beginning of the pandemic, companies have been taking advantage and employees literally cannot afford to entertain the hoopla anymore. The mistreatment, poor wages and laughable benefits are a bit much... The temp assignments and jobs I once had paid $17-20 per hour. Welp, they are now $12-14 per hour (IF they are even hiring) where I live. I literally saw a customer service job that was paying people $10 per hour for 40 hours and an employee had to work one day of the weekend. Oh! But, if you’re bilingual, they’ll pay $12.50 per hour. I applied for a writing position at a company. Right? Okay, so when I snagged an interview with this company, they told me that they pay $7.25 per hour, but being that I had a bachelor’s degree, they’d pay me $8.25 an hour.
That is not a livable wage for the state I currently reside in. As of August 2021, I FINALLY found a writing gig that pays a livable wage. Whew, I’m thankful for that.
Look it Up
I’m sure there is more information by the time this will be officially posted ( Automated post). So, do your own digging when you get the chance. 2,800 people from the food industry participated in a survey that was conducted online and over the telephone from October 20, 2020 to May 1, 2021. 76% of those workers left due to low wages. Now, when I do notice a livable wage, the job’s environment is awful. There are delayed payment issues, OSHA violations, callous supervisors and no room to grow. 55% Left due to Covid-19 safety concerns…
Source: One Fair Wage Worker Public Health Survey Data collected 10/20-4/21
Job openings increase by 749,000 to 10.9 million
Hiring slips by 160,000; layoffs edge up 105,000
I know ya’ll see that quit rate risin’ like a loaf of good ass bread. Who could blame folks? For those of us who have survived a global pandemic—the last thing we want to tolerate is a toxic work environment or unsafe work practices.
Also based on the same Reuters article:
Lack of affordable childcare, fears of contracting the coronavirus, generous unemployment benefits funded by the federal government as well as pandemic-related retirements and career changes have been blamed for the disconnect.
What in the God Damn Fuck, Ya’ll?
(Yes…that’s really my subheading title…)
It’s as though we are put in a position to choose between low- unlivable wages or good wages and an unhealthy environment. Well, many of us are choosing neither. Many of us are looking for other ways to generate income because the aforementioned ain’t cutting it. They want people to work? Pay them well and create a safe environment for people to work in.
This pandemic is opening our eyes. We are worth more than scraps. We deserve the same comforts, good wages and work environments as our higher ups. It’s unfortunate that this needs to be said. What’s heart breaking is when I see people expect others to receive the scraps, they know damn well they wouldn’t accept. Come on, now.
My Personal Experience: Conclusion
I’m a freelancer and small business owner first, temp second. It’s been a mess. I either get offered low wage jobs that’s 2 hours away from me, or a nice paying job with a supervisor that’s nasty or micromanaging the mess out of everybody. Or, the company simply does not take the proper steps to make sure we are safe in a DAMN PANDEMIC.
Sigh. Ya’ll.... This is why I will invest in myself and business first before these companies. If you have the opportunity to do the same, please do so. ‘Cause, Suga, these companies do NOT give a damn.
Rant Over.
Carry On....
My Debut Novel!
Sloppy will be ready to read on January 11th, 2021.
“Having grown up in an unforgiving religious home, Roxanne has long felt out of place, suppressing who she truly is.
Despite her pursuit of true romance and renouncing her upbringing, something continues to hold her back. Now she’s engaged to a madman.”
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59109202-sloppy
I am celebrating the birthdays of 3 my poetry collections in September! "Long Live Phoenixes," "Orange September," and "My Quintessence." No matter how old or new, I hope my vulnerable works inspire readers and showcase my evolving poetry journey over the past 6, 1, and 10 years.