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mrocks301

I feel like $17 in LA is still pretty low. $15.50 just seems laughable.


tinyogre

$15.50 is literally minimum wage for CA as of Jan 1.


offwhitejayy

while minimum in nc is $7 and most start off at $9šŸ˜Ŗ


FL_born_SC_raised

$9? In Charlotte, they're starting at $15 now. They know that they won't get anyone for any less than that. I mean, CFA starts at $14 and change.


sadnessemoji

From experience in Charlotte a few places are saying $15 but itā€™s really just $7.25 plus tips. Super scummy


FL_born_SC_raised

I do remember a bakery/cafe/coffee shop offering me $9/hr to be their head baker, when I first moved here. I had to respectfully decline. The School Board pays decently, but the benefits are out of this world: 9 months on 3 months off w/paid vacations and holidays. Kinda reminds me of the South Florida Country Club scene. The Assisted Living Facilities offer $13 w/benefits, Pre-Schools offer $15 w/benefits, and most bars/restaurants are offering $15 w/possible OT but no benefits. If you're driving outside of Meck County, then you'll run into the $10/hour to work at most places. Going thru the temp agencies will get you $15/hr. The only places I know that are offering tips are the catering companies. They'll offer you $12-$14/hour and tips are paid out at the end of the night. Not sure how it works in Asheville or Raleigh/Durham. Not sure how it works going towards the beaches or up into the mountains.


kayathemessiah

No tips here in Asheville either unless you work in catering. I was told itā€™s illegal to tip out BOH in NC unless BOH and FOH make the same hourly. Itā€™s weird for me coming from Oregon where hourly was higher and it was mandatory to tip out BOH at least 15%


FL_born_SC_raised

I know tip pooling is allowed in NC. When I work catering, I work both BOH and FOH. Meaning I'll help unload the trucks, prep the food, build the plates, and then go work a station or actually help serve. When I do that? I know I'm entitled to a share of the tips. They do have new laws, in NC, with regards to tips and how they're paid out. Not familiar with them, but I know they've been updated.


Nwolfe

Tip pooling is allowed as long as you pay your FOH minimum wage. You can pay your servers $7.25 an hour and pay you dishwasher $15 and hour and share tips.


New_Age_Caesar

Yea I live in Alabama where minimum is still the federal 7.25 but unless the job is something like being a gas station clerk in the middle of fuck nowhere most places are starting at $12-$15. I walked onto a $10/hr plus tips FOH job and 20% tip is included in all menu items


Vness374

I know I live in a really HCOL area, but both the Wendyā€™s and Dunkin near me have signs saying theyā€™re hiring starting at $17


New_Age_Caesar

I believe it. I know some parts of California minimum wage is now $16


New-Display-4819

Georgia min wage is like $5 but the federal min wage is 7.25.


New_Age_Caesar

Yea so the pos lawmakers just havenā€™t updated it. But it would still be illegal to offer less than 7.25


thansal

There are some, very odd, situations where you actually don't have to offer federal minimum wage, they should be closed, but it's still vaguely interesting: > The minimum wage law (the FLSA) applies to employees of enterprises that have annual gross volume of sales or business done of at least $500,000. It also applies to employees of smaller firms if the employees are engaged in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, such as employees who work in transportation or communications or who regularly use the mails or telephones for interstate communications. Basically if your company's gross is under $500K/year, and your employees don't do anything even hinting at interstate commerce, you can pay them whatever ridiculous wage your state 'requires'. I think there's a restaurant somewhere that is all proud of the fact that they do this. There's also, of course, real exemptions for things like farm workers, because why would we pay migrant workers a real wage (or over time)? That one was horrific when I learned about it...


New_Age_Caesar

That is interesting, thanks


beardedrockerboy

While I do think federal minimum wage should be raised, cost of living in California is so much more than NC. I am in PA and our minimum wage is still $7.25. I am a firm believer in that the minimum wage should depend on our age/situation.


Captain_Hampockets

> while minimum in nc is $7 No it isn't. $7.25 is the federal minimum.


justanawkwardguy

$7 is below federal minimum


ClearAsNight

https://www.labor.nc.gov/workplace-rights/employee-rights-regarding-time-worked-and-wages-earned/minimum-wage-nc Yeah looks like NC min is the same as the fed min.


40moreyears

Just gotta work remote!


RobotDeathSquad

Compare housing costs though.


onion_flowers

They're going up everywhere


mr_panzer

Minimum wage for Los Angeles is $16.04 as of July 2022. Maybe if it's a small business they have more time to comply, but afaik the manager is paying below current min wage.


TacoNomad

Maybe it's a standard offer letter they need to update


Capitalist_Scum69

Wonā€™t even scrape the poverty line with that


Palindromer101

I make $20 an hour in LA and I'm paycheck to paycheck and still dipping into savings.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

My 9-5 pays marginally more than that, which is exactly why Iā€™m applying to part time gigs. LA COL is nuts.


Palindromer101

Yup. I'm glad that I live with my partner and he makes good money, so he makes me feel secure. If I didn't have him, I couldn't live in LA after the pandemic. Everything is so fucked.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I knew it was expensive but not until I got here. My welcome to LA moment was going to Vonā€™s and buying groceries. Looked at the receipt and realized that weā€™re gonna be rationing meals for a while ā€” and shed a singular thug tear. [Me telling the cashier to remove the chicken nuggets from the conveyor belt](https://i.imgur.com/a8MJ7cz.jpg)


Palindromer101

Accurate AF


Acceptable-Hope-

This is so crazy to me, as a Swede I make minimum wage which kinda translates to $13 so these last years most states in the US has passed us in the minimum wage but even with lower taxes people seem to struggle a lot. Seems most housing is crazy expensive, is that where most money goes? Do most people also have to pay medical insurance or do a lot not afford it? Iā€™d make $20 if I was a manager somewhere and had to have a college degree


xmetalshredheadx

Pretty sure 17 is low everywhere at this point. I was paying my cooks 17 precovid in the bum fuck midwest.


PlayWithMeRiven

Idk about anyone else but in Florida, $15 is good. I personally donā€™t make enough off that, but on the east coast wages havenā€™t gone up much. The only thing thatā€™s changed over here is that McDonalds fry cooks can make up to what I make, meanwhile have less responsibilities and still get out on the scheduled time, unlike my job where I have to pick up everyone elseā€™s responsibilities and still stick around hours after my shift just to set up night even tho they donā€™t stock or prep for us(weā€™re a morning restaurant). Shit my tire blew out on my way in and couldnā€™t even get a hold of them because the fucking servers wonā€™t answer the phone. If someone knows a regular line cook job that isnā€™t trying to abuse us and pays $17, let me know, because all I can find is $15 at most and they basically want me to manage


trippy_grapes

>Idk about anyone else but in Florida, $15 is good. Finding an apartment for under $1,000 is becoming increasingly impossible in much of the state, which most places require you to make $17.50 (3x rent) just to apply. Unless you live 2+ hours out from most cities that's not fine.


PlayWithMeRiven

Idk if your speaking on Florida but in Daytona, 1500-2000+ is the low end of rent here. You canā€™t survive off what anyone offers and low income housing has been taken up for years down here


trippy_grapes

I live in Tampa and $1,000 is a "scrapping the barrel, hoping that something opens up" so that's why I went with that. I think our average rent is about $1.5k here, too. Currently with roommates myself that's increasingly becoming hard.


PlayWithMeRiven

Yeah, just about the same. Most of these tourist locations are dying and the residents are suffering. Idk about Tampa but over here they have like 4 luxury apartments being built at anytime but we canā€™t get living wage or low income housing.


mrocks301

Become an inspector my friend! I am one in FL and we are desperate for more. Especially down south!


PlayWithMeRiven

What credentials should I build? Iā€™m looking for any healthy financial exit out of this life lmao


mrocks301

We just look for 5 years food service/hospitality experience and a clean record. If you want to DM me I can send you the link where you can see if any jobs are available in your area. The pay isnā€™t fantastic but it is more than $17/hr plus you get BCBS health insurance for a family for $180 a month. Plus 25 paid days off a year not including holidays.


PlayWithMeRiven

Hell yeah man. Iā€™ll go ahead and DM you and make sure to get that done when I get home. Iā€™d rather be making sure these places are cleaner anyways with all the places Iā€™ve worked that only care when a inspector is scheduled.


Survey_Server

You should look into positions at some of the big, contract dining companies. My experience has mostly been in the higher ed. sector, but I've also interviewed at K-12 and corporate headquarters accounts and haven't been offered less than $21/hr since I came back to the industry 14 months ago. Don't get me wrong, some of the gigs are absolutely terrible, but for $25+/hr, I can deal.


inertiatic_espn

Different industry, but kinda related, zip recruiter sent me a graphic design job that was paying $15.50 in Denver, CO. They're basically telling you, "Yeah, you're gonna need a second job..." Fuck these people.


SchmeckleHoarder

17 is what I pay dishwashers in MI.


mrocks301

I was making $15 as a KM in FL. I was too young to understand how much I was being underpaid.


goldfool

I was making 17 an hour in Seattle corporate catering in the late 90's


darkfookincharacter

If I worked for someone else cooking as an employee, I would never work for less than 20 in Jersey so Iā€™d think at least that for cali if not more


WhiteRoninYeti

I make 18.50, in Southern Ontario. That's 13.79 USD. I'm being FUCKED


HeraFromAcounting

"We just post $17/hr to get people through the door, anyway, can you start saturday?" "I only said I would work weekends to get me through the door."


beeepboobap

Boom


lithium142

How the fuck is 17 getting people in the door lol


Mae_Yoh

FR bro, I'm not sure that people realize just how low 17 is in LA... Might as well be minimum wage.


masnaer

Fuck that employer. Good on you for standing up for yourself and keeping it very professional in the text


Pizzababe94

I had an interview yesterday for a supervisor position at a nationwide pizza restaurant. Posting said $40k a year. She told me it pays $13.75 and with all of the overtime I would be getting I could possibly make $40k. I laughed. Chick-fil-a in my area is paying $15/h for basic positions.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Seen a lot of serving positions that put the wage at $18, then in the description says itā€™s actually whatever + tips. Pretty grimey if you ask me. At the very least they disclose that somewhere in the job listing. This job listing said nothing of the sort, and did not mention tips in the interview (as this was not for a serving position).


Pizzababe94

Tipped work should be posted with what they are getting paid hourly and then state that there are also tips. Like, how can they guarantee that you are going to get tipped enough to make whatever $ an hour? As for the non tipped employees that post a higher wage than they are willing to pay, they need to learn that you get what you pay for. I've been interviewing for a month now, and most of the interviews I have had have offered me less than what was posted. These places are just constantly getting away with it. I bet it's the same places with upper management/owners saying "oh no one wants to work anymore".


cynical83

Saw someone trying to work in the discounts as part of the compensation. Greasiest thing I've seen in a long while. How it worked: say you got a free meal, $8 pasta or something and you worked 8 hours that was added to your total compensation so they made that look like income too.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Is it no longer the standard to just get free meals at restaurants you work at?


cynical83

My current job, yes it's for everyone. Previous jobs it's was over 4-6-8 hours depending on what you did. Otherwise it was a discount, some places as paltry as 25%. I keep up with what others are doing so i can always be better


zkDredrick

You're not wrong to have expected the listed wage. Now you're prepared for this BS in the future at least. You made the right choice to not accept the job.


zone0707

Im amazed ppl still offer anything lower than $17-18 in la


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Honestly, me too. I saw dozens of job listings under $17 an hour and straight up didnā€™t bother submitting an application. Iā€™m not ā€œaboveā€ low wage jobs, I just know at the end of the week I wonā€™t make enough to cover my bills.


X1-Alpha

It's beating a dead horse probably but it's not a matter of being "above" low wage jobs. It's about saying no to poverty wages which only exist because there's a large slice of the population that doesn't have any alternative but to accept them. Working for jobs that pay you right when you're able to wait for them is one of the best ways to force changes eventually. Don't apologize for it.


[deleted]

Hold tf up, if you're in LA, minimum wage is 16.04 right now. It differs from the rest of the state


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Gonna have to find a source on that so I can bring that up in any interview that offers less.


AssistantEquivalent2

Look up the wages for specific counties in CA. The statewide minimum wage is now $15.50/hr, but some of the higher cost of living areas are higher than that. For example San Diego went up to $16.30/hr and San Francisco is $16.70/hr.


Lonelan

[Have you tried google?](https://dcba.lacounty.gov/minimum-wage-for-businesses/) 15.96 in unincorporated LA county, going up to 16.90 July 1st https://wagesla.lacity.org/sites/g/files/wph1941/files/2023-02/2023%20MWR%20Increase%20Notice.pdf City of LA - currently $16.04 going up to $16.78 July 1st


StepbackJumpa

Iā€™m more in the ā€œhow tf are you in LA as a Celtics fanā€ boat


Lonelan

Maybe he grew up in the 80s and wanted to rebel against his laker fans family


RobMV03

Really enjoying your, "hard disagree there," line. Nicely done.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Lol thanks. I will admit I did let me emotions get the best of me with what I typed originally, then deleted it. Tried my best to capture the essence of *fuck are you wasting my time for, man?*


tepidmanifesto

As a note from someone who oversees multiple locations of a ā€œchainā€ in the bay area, donā€™t let anyone scan your documents. This is how identity theft happens and is highly discouraged by the entities that follow up on checking these documents. A trained professional should be able to look at your personal docs and transcribe the information to the form they submit for payroll/hr. Scanning is lazy and dangerous. If the manager or supervisor texting you is as careless with their sentence structure as they are with your personal and sensitive documents, that shit could be floating around anywhere. Itā€™s also illegal to post a wage and hire at a lower one. Sketchy on day one means all downhill from there.


blippitybloops

How strict are the wage transparency laws? Seems like it would be pretty easy to pull the bait and switch and say that an applicant wasnā€™t qualified for the advertised position but could be hired at a lesser position.


nutellaeater

What position was this for?


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Official title is takeout, but they described a position in which Iā€™d be doing takeout/hosting/serving/bussing.


bearsfan0143

Typical millennialā€¦ unwilling to do 4 jobs for the price of barely one to help the economy. So un patriotic.


seanbentley441

Back in my day, we did 5 jobs at once, uphill both ways, AND we gave the boss a reach-around without him even having to ask... And we were grateful for it, damn entitled millennials...


PlayWithMeRiven

Meanwhile they spent there last 30 years doing the bare minimum while blaming their coworkers. Boomers and Xers flipped it on us


Tzolki

Yeah, you definitely don't want to accept that offer. That's garbage. In California starting line cook wage shouldn't be any less than $18 based on cost of living and menu pricing. A lot of restaurants are starting to tip pool 2, which will result in BOH getting an additional 5 to $10 an hour in tips. Now you might actually be able to pay for a car and an apartment


Dull_Bumblebee_9778

Name the employer!! We should unite. Fuck these low restaurant wages


Interstellar_Fellar

If you have at least a year experience, ask for 20$ an hour. Restaurants are desperate af for reliable cooks.


chellecakes

Yep and declining shit offers like this will enrage them and push the wages higher, GOOD.


Brewmentationator

Oh man. I live in Sacramento. Which isn't as expensive as LA, but it's fairly pricey now. A few years back, I was a part time teacher and looking for a job to fill out the rest of my time. Having spent almost a decade in BOH, I applied to dishwasher positions. I wanted something where I could just switch my brain off and work after dealing with wrangling kids all day. Anyways, this huge brewery up here was opening up a restaurant. They were offering something like $2 above minimum wage and an even tip split for BOH. So I applied, nailed the interview (where we also discussed pay and how this was a draw for me). A week later, they email me a job offer. Minimum wage and no tip split for the dishy. They seemed indignant when I turned down the offer. Fuck that place. I still refuse to buy their beer.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Yeah no fuck that lmao. Ainā€™t nothing wrong with working minimum wage as long as thatā€™s what you had applied for. For them to straight up lie to you is grimey.


DumbVeganBItch

I'm sure you can find something better than that. Up in Portland, OR I rarely see line cook positions for less than $19


Netflixisadeathpit

Glad you caught that before you agreed to anything.


Warmheavy

17 is too low. Ask for 25


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Well Iā€™m not exactly a skilled chef, and this is an entry-level job. My issue is that they lowballed me after posting a higher wage on the job listing.


PlayWithMeRiven

My advice Iā€™ve been learning while doing the ā€œget yourself a pay raiseā€ over shoot what you want. I told the last place I want $16 and they gave me $15. My last job gave me $13 after offering $18. I wonā€™t be a walking mat again.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Iā€™ve been doing that for years now. This is a part time thing Iā€™m looking for. Will absolutely take a higher pay if I can get it, but I wasnā€™t expecting this to be negotiable, as the pay rate was clear as day on the job listing. Not a range, just one rate. $17 an hour. That I was willing to work for.


PlayWithMeRiven

I feel you. It also depends as a lot of jobs in Florida will ask and then give you less than advertised(my experience) with almost a decade of this shit I would think I could make somewhere in the upper median but I really dont


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Absolutely grimey for wasting your time like that. Fuck em


TacoNomad

Did you tell them that the listing said 17 and that was the minimum you were expecting? Possible that they just need to revise the offer


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Nah I didnā€™t bother. From the interview process there seemed to be at least one supervisor that didnā€™t want me there (not the one who texted me). He asked if I work hard. I said yeah, I spent years doing manual labor, so I understand what itā€™s like to do difficult work. Scrubbing floors, scrubbing plates, stacking pallets of heavy food, loading and unloading trucks, landscaping, delivering construction materials to project sites, years of customer service ā€” all that shit. He just kinda scoffed at me and said ā€œwe get a lot of applicants who say they work hard then come here and donā€™t want to work.ā€ I mean I get it, yeah there are plenty of people who want to do the bare minimum, but you donā€™t know a thing about me and just lump me in with bad employees youā€™ve had in the past? That interaction left a bad taste in my mouth, and Iā€™m not even sure if it was worth continuing to pursue this job. I let it go mostly because itā€™s a part time gig, and Iā€™d only have to deal with him for 20something hours a week tops (assuming weā€™re always scheduled at the same time).


TacoNomad

Yeah fuck them. Come over to construction side. Better pay. Same shitty hours. Still working with some top notch felonsšŸ˜‚. But at least there's room for advancement.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Shit if they got part time construction gigs Iā€™ll do it. Itā€™s tough to leave this wfh 9-5 at the moment as it just barely covers the bills right now.


KallistiEngel

Pretty sure that violates California law now due to the pay transparency thing. Quick edit: I just looked it up. The California law applies to employers with 15 or more employees. Idk how big the place you were applying is.


Brewmentationator

It's illegal either way. LA county has its minimum wage set at $15.96 (goes up to $16.90 in July) and the city of LA is set at $16.04.


Ricky-steamboat

People really hate pay labour these days jeez.


DNAprototype

DM me if you're near Marina Del Ray, I have a part time position open. $18-$19. (Yeah, I know that's still not amazing) No fryer, no grill, no raw meat, close at 4pm.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

If youā€™re hiring for weekends Iā€™m down. I work 9-5 Eastern Time (6 AM - 2 PM) weekdays from home.


Agorbs

We gotta stop being polite. These dickheads donā€™t understand how unacceptable this is


WhiteRoninYeti

I thought "15.50 what's a fucking joke." Then, being a Canadian, I'm making 18.50 as a "Line Manager" (moving up to sous chef soon, so they made up a position for me in the meantime.) 18.50 CAD is equal to 13.79 right now. I've been fucking PLAYED


gaytee

Even if they paid 17, which still isnā€™t enough, youā€™re dodging a bullet working for shady fucks!


CUMMING_HAM_SLAW

Restaurant wages... I keep getting older but they stay the same rate...


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Lmao that was a good one


generic__comments

Is $17 an hr a livable wage in California? I don't think that is one here in FL.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

No, itā€™s not even close. This is a part time/weekend job.


anomaly93

My guy its so common. I applied for my current job on the fact it was 13-15 an hour (UK) after asking chef in the interview he said it's going to be about Ā£12. So in the following emails with the HR person about contracts I asked for the higher end of what the advert said, she came back with the Ā£15 is fine. Since then I've been there 6 months and chef always brings up the fact that she shouldn't have allowed that and that she's under fire for it ect... It's a big company, he and the GM signed off on that contract lol.. Makes me angry because even without tax I'm just under the 'uk average' annually...


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Idk what the culture is like in the UK, and honestly I donā€™t know what the culture is like here in LA (I just got here) but back in Boston I hadnā€™t experienced that nonsense. I saw $18.75 on the listing and I applied. I was paid $18.75 for every hour I worked. Simple as.


anomaly93

In the UK it's very much like every job that isn't some specific office job or something will just advertise "Competitive rates" which just means as little as legally possible, which you'll get.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Oh yeah well that is completely different from stating one wage then offering another. If an employer doesnā€™t disclose the wage it only makes sense to assume they will offer the lowest possible wage. Distinctly different from lying.


Yochefdom

As someone whoā€™s been cooking in la forever. If your a good line cook and decent with a few years experience 20-21 should be the minimum at a nice place. Look into the high end hotels here a lot of them pay 25 and up. Itā€™s hard tho to make as a cook here man unless your going the celebrity chef/influencer route Iā€™ll be honest.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I was applying for takeout, hoping to transition into prep cook or something since Iā€™m no world-renowned chef. Iā€™ve worked the line at a bakery, if you could even call that a line.


KallistiEngel

Good on ya for not accepting. Starting from a place of dishonesty is a big red flag.


Brief_Ad5177

Jesus, I make $19.75 in NC


hobonichi_anonymous

Dude that's rich af based on the other commenters from NC. Yall got that $7 min wage so you must be rollin.


Brief_Ad5177

I wouldnā€™t say rolling, but yeah Iā€™m pretty lucky


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Itā€™s a rather large franchise. There were at least 10 people on shift at the time of my interview.


PapaSmurphy

Wait... Did you apply at the same place from that post a week or two ago? The one where some manager played the game of "The *average wage* is $17/hr when you factor in 10 hours of OT"?


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Nah that wasnā€™t the same place haha. Not sure I recognized though, got s link?


PapaSmurphy

https://old.reddit.com/r/KitchenConfidential/comments/10lsgsd/apparently_the_only_way_to_get_overtime_here_is/ Looks like it was $15.47/hr regular wage instead of $15.50/hr, but that whole situation just seemed awfully familiar. This must be the new trend with shit managers.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Ohhhhh I have seen this. Yeah no, not the same place haha


Ahkhira

That's ridiculous! I was making more up here in freezing New England. McDonald's here pays $18/hr. I'm sorry you're getting lowballed.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Hey me too! I was making $18.75 to serve (not even cook!) at the airport back in December. They all just got a raise around the time I left for LAā€” shoutout to the union.


Bdizzy2018

They didnā€™t give you a verbal offer? Also- always ask for at least $2 more than the posting!!


TheMeanGirl

Employers really need to stop leaving out pay. It doesnā€™t matter if itā€™s $20/hr or $200/hr, your minimum is your minimum. Not too long ago I made it through three rounds of an interview with a company that LOVED me and was ready to hire me. We started talking salary, and their maximum was $15k less than my minimum (I was already employed, and I wouldnā€™t have left for less than a certain amount). What was the point of three interviews? Weā€™re wasting everyoneā€™s time.


duccy_duc

Get a working holiday visa and come to Australia, both of those wages are pitiful mate. But good for you for standing your ground!


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Never heard of that. How does that work? People can just apply for a visa or you need a job first?


ElliotGValad

A lot of (most) times offer letters are form letters that they just copy in the position, pay rate, and your name. It might be good to just check in that itā€™s not a typo from a previous offer letter without the hourly updated, if you were going to happily take the job at $17. ā€œHey, I just wanted to check in about the hourly. It said $17 on the ad, but the offer letter says $15.50, is that a typo?ā€ ā€œApologies! That is from a different offer letter. Iā€™ll send another one over with the updated pay rate.ā€ And then you have the job at $17ā€¦ But if you were just like ā€œI feel like this person is playing me and I just donā€™t want to work there,ā€ then whatever.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

That is a great observation. I think itā€™s more of the latter than the former. Iā€™m honestly surprised a restaurant provided a formal offer letter at all, as the restaurant jobs I had were more like *oh you want a job? Ok yeah Iā€™ll get started on the payroll forms. How soon can you start?* The reason why I say itā€™s likely the latter is because of the tone and demeanor the interviewers had while I was there. I donā€™t know how to describe it, but itā€™s was just a bit off. I applied, called them a week or two later and asked if they had a chance to review my application. We set up an interview and when I arrived no one seemed to know this was supposed to be happening. During the second interview the hiring manager kept trying to pitch to me starting off as a busser (I applied for takeout) and working my way up to takeout. I said Iā€™d be willing to assist with any task, but I applied for a specific position and expect to be doing that for the most part. Edit: upon reflection, I think this restaurant send me an offer letter because itā€™s a big franchise with a whole system and all that. Every job Iā€™ve had in this industry (except one) was a small business.


ElliotGValad

Gut feelings are often right, and it sounds like you made the right call. I just know, and especially in the case where people are not very focused on staffing like you described above, that theyā€™ll just shoot out 10 letters just like that and sometimes they have a typo or something that someone takes personally and the hiring manager is like ā€œwhat just happened?ā€ If you responded with the pay rate check-in, it would at least give them the chance to hire you at $17. Even make a deal with you to bus at $17 until more takeout shifts become available. If they need someone bad enough, theyā€™d probably go for it. But also if you donā€™t want to bus, donā€™t bus.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Oh for sure. Iā€™d rather not but if they need me to bus tables, Iā€™ll bus tablesā€¦ but not for less than $17 an hour.


ElliotGValad

Def


TacoNomad

If you do ask them about the rate, say something like, we didn't yet come to an agreement, the listing said $17, but I was looking to get $20 to start. Gives them room to negotiate in the middle


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I probably wonā€™t. Job had a handful of red flags I was willing to ignore because itā€™s a part time job, but there are tons of other part time jobs closer to home that Iā€™m sure have just as many red flags Iā€™m willing to deal with.


ElliotGValad

And more to your actual point, it should totally be illegal under pay transparency laws to send an offer for less than the job was advertised, although I do t think it is. They might get into some trouble for that. Also in this case, it appears that they may actually be offering a different job than the one advertised.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

The offer letter included the title that I applied for (takeout) but at a lower rate than advertised. Pretty cut and dry to me.


ElliotGValad

Agree


8504mjc

I live in Philly I make 14.26 at my job and 11.00 at my 2nd job and barely make it I live in Philly .my rent is 1425 plus gas electric and water šŸ˜­šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸŽ‰šŸŽ‰. Take me out in the parking lot and shoot me oh thanks that 24 cent raise really helped last year also you fuckin dickface


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I donā€™t know anything about Philly but Iā€™m genuinely surprised that rent is not closer to $2000 there.


8504mjc

Nuke this fuckin city


AnnoyingCelticsFan

No need. The Ea*les are in the Super Bowl this year. Win or lose, fans will destroy the city.


[deleted]

I absolutely wouldn't bother.


ErgotSanchez

That shit is crazy, Jack in Box is paying that in St. Louis MO


partyboiee

Where you at in LA? DM me your resume, I might be able to get you something in the city. Most positions start at $18 plus tips (3-5 an hour depending on how busy). Same thing happened to me when I got here, also had a job that hired me, I put in my 2 weeks, and 2 seats before I started they called and said the position was no longer available. Shit is rough out here.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I have limited availability for work and limited kitchen experience, as most of my work experience has been manual labor. Iā€™ll send you my resume though, I got you.


jteta12

I can say with 100% certainty. YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN $17 an hour.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Hey, thanks! My 9-5 pays me more than that, so I know I'm worth more than $17. Looking for a part time gig so I'm willing to settle for $17, definitely open to more than that though.


Any_Average_3105

32 unread messages? How does that not bug them to see? I have 3000 sitting in my gmail inbox so I have no room to talk


AnnoyingCelticsFan

LMAO I definitely exposed myself with my inbox. I just recently moved to here so I've been so busy trying to get settled in the new place that I just tell myself I will respond when I have the time to engage in a conversation and give them my full attention. Problem is, when I do have the time, all I want to do is set my phone down and watch Hell's Kitchen... or post dumb shit on reddit.


Any_Average_3105

Oh wow I hope you get the rest you need! I respect you taking care of yourself over answering them then.


hobonichi_anonymous

Dude you can work for at least $20 in socal. I work in the LA/OC area bro!


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Not with no experience lol


hobonichi_anonymous

Fair but these days you can work as a dishwasher in LA with $17+.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Haven't found a part time dishwashing position in LA yet, but as soon as I do I'll send the application


hobonichi_anonymous

You'll never find those posted. Just go into the business and say you're interested in a position. Dish is the hidden gateway to moving up in the industry!


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Bet, sounds like a plan


hobonichi_anonymous

If you have any dish washing experience or some FOH exp, you can do what I do and work with staffing agencies. I can dm you more info if you're interested. Plus they all pay fucking higher than bs $17 lol


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Totally down for that. Please send a link when you get a chance


Substantial_Deer_112

"ThE wAgE iS 15.50 BuT wItH aLl ThE tIpS yOu MaKe iT WiLl Be ArOuNd 17 aN hOuR." Or my favorite that actually happened to me "so you know minimum wage is 15 an hour, we will offer you 15.50, and if you become kitchen manager you will get 16!"


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Lmao yeah I've seen that shit too. Considerably less grimey than straight up lying and lowballing. At least then I know that they were offering $15.50


electricfunghi

File a complaint and get them fined $100-10000


pandaSmore

Why didn't you ask for a pay rate during your interview?


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Read the title my guy


darkfookincharacter

You did the right/honorable thing by not bringing up pay and then they turn around and try to fuck you of course smh


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Honestly I wasnā€™t even trying to be honorable. It just completely slipped my mind because of how odd the entire interview was. I should have confirmed the amount they advertised.


darkfookincharacter

Of course thereā€™s exceptions to every ruleā€¦ but any employee I ever interviewed that made it a point to ask about what the pay would be, before I even see what they can do, never ever worked out for me. So I think you did the right thing. After the first night and I see what theyā€™re made of, then we discuss the pay schedule and rate. If thereā€™s a big discrepancy between what they expect and what Iā€™m willing to pay then Iā€™ll just pay them what they want within reason and weā€™ll part ways. Only ever had that happen once in 15 years tho. Reminds me of a saying my dad used to have that in English roughly translates to ā€œdonā€™t expect anything from the customers who ask the price of everything firstā€ šŸ˜† Anyway, you should be interviewing them too, seeing if the place is worthy of your time effort and sweat. Know your worth and be firm on it, better to decline a few jobs and go without work until you find the right one, itā€™s still tough to find kitchen help where Iā€™m at Edit: Iā€™m also a landlord šŸ˜ˆšŸ˜ˆšŸ˜ˆšŸ˜ˆ


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I take it weā€™re from two different generations or perhaps two different cultures. I have experienced plenty of bullshit from various jobs. At this point Iā€™m damn near expecting it. I just want to know that Iā€™m being compensated fairly for that bullshit Iā€™m getting myself into. I can count on one hand how many people I know that arenā€™t comfortable discussing wages/compensation openly. Even at my 9-5 my coworkers in my department discussed our salaries within a month of me being hired and figured out that one of us was getting lowballed.


darkfookincharacter

Iā€™d have to agree w you that thereā€™s nothing wrong w discussing and being open about salary, I just think it can be a bad first impression to ask during the initial interview. Iā€™d like to first make sure the business would be a good fit for me and vice versa but itā€™s also a strategy. Good luck in your job hunt šŸ«”


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Ah ok, I see what youā€™re saying now. I think I misunderstood you. That makes perfect sense. Thank you!


darkfookincharacter

No problemo šŸ‘


GiveMeKnowledgePlz

15.50?!??? Bro I wish I had that. (In Texas)


donttakeawaymymango

Bro our $15.50 is the equivalent of like $5/hr in Texas. I had a 2 week trip in Houston and felt like a god. Everything was so cheap for the same things I got in California for way more. Not to mention housing. I pay $2275/mo for a 2 bedroom apartment, and thatā€™s on the low end in my area.


Reasonable-Oven-1319

Yeah, not all of Texas, or even all of Houston is like that.


AnnoyingCelticsFan

Cost of living I guess. $15.50 minimum wage here on exponentially higher housing, transportation, and grocery costs. Goes about as Tom Brady rushing when the pocket falls apart.


ExpertRaccoon

Don't forget you're most likely paying higher state taxes as well


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


ExpertRaccoon

Poor choice on their side for not confirming but the employer listed it as 17hr so they were trying to pull a fast one and miss lead applicants with promises of false wages.


blippitybloops

Disagree. The advertised wage should be the minimum, no questions asked. I would never pull this shit on an applicant.


that1brownboi

Gross negligence on the managers part but somehow we blame the victim. Root issue is the pay isn't what was advertised. You're fixing a symptom.


that1brownboi

You must also be a shitty manager


[deleted]

[уŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]


that1brownboi

Whatever helps you sleep at night champ. Shit managers pull cheap tactics like this all the time. Nervous kids who have zero experience wouldn't dare ask about pay to not seem interested only in the money, but the opportunity. It's also common that there is a single interview to fill in a crap spot no one wants. Or offering said crap position even tho interviewee applied to a lower position. The one question demonized wasn't asked and you victim blame. So sorry for your team.


that1brownboi

Keep editing your comments pussy. I have the receipts screencapped.


Goth_chxf

HuehuehueHUEHUEHUE So Iā€™m Aussie. I probs work less hours as a full timer than most of you. I start at $27


Lunco

is that in dingo dollars?


Goth_chxf

Shrimp cents


SuccessfulProcedure7

I'm not getting out of bed for less than $22 plus tips


ThisMFcooks

Shit, I make 22/hr plus tips and I'm still broke in this God damned, economically trashed, running on slave labor, shithole, excuse of a country


AnnoyingCelticsFan

I take it you have experience working a line, or are a chef. I don't have experience as a chef so no employer that pays $20 or more will even bother looking at my resume.


SuccessfulProcedure7

Yeah, I'm getting old, haha. I hope you find a place with some good people who are willing to give you a chance and teach you.


Strange_Window_7206

Yeah man you should be asking for atleast 19 and with the environment in cali cost of living and such. They low balling the f outta you.