When I was sixteen years old I got my first “real” job at Burger King, I was excited that I was getting $5.25 an hour (minimum wage), it seemed like I was making six figures.

When I was hired I was told that if I worked hard I could get a raise, so I made sure I worked harder than anybody else. My work must have been good because even though I was younger than most of the other workers I was promoted to “crew leader”.

Now you would have thought that the position came with a raise (I found out later that I was supposed to get a raise) but I didn’t get one, the store manager gave himself my raise! At that age I never though about it, I didn’t have any real bills to worry about, I could spend my money on electronics and things that I wanted.

There was several times when I would apply for a certain job and they would ask for my wage requirements, you know how that goes right? I would low-ball the offers to assure myself the job, you know how that turned out right? I did get the jobs because I’m sure I was lower than anybody, some jobs I was practically working for free!

Here’s my question for you: Are you getting paid enough for the work that you do?

Sometimes that’s just the way it is

I realize there are jobs where you really have no control as far as how much you make, jobs that a union has the pay structure already set up, with the raises prearranged. If you really want that job you have to be prepared to go along with that system no matter how hard you work. (more…)