Opinions on potential new job

[disney1990]

This is all new to me.

I worked for the U.S. Census part-time over the summer. Almost one complete day of our training was completing paperwork. Yes, it was all paid time. In fact, because of all the paperwork, we ended up working more than a 40 hour week, so some of our hours were paid at time and a half.

Any company I have ever worked for had the paperwork completed on the first day of work and therefore I was paid for filling it out. When I worked in HR, this was also the way we did it.

The problem is, the job market is so bad right now, that employers can do anything they want and don't worry about it because people really need jobs.

 

[npmommie]

The company only has to pay minimum wage for hours worked. So the company probably finds it easier to assign a set amount that they pay for the first day.

I am a Payroll and HR Mgr. It seems like a pain to have to process that one day at a lower rate.

Be careful if you try to negotiate a better rate with the company as you may find the job offer rescinded. Managment might consider you someone who complains and not want to take a risk hiring you.

this is not a minimum wage type job, this is a professional position, which is why it bugs me so much.

This is all new to me.

I worked for the U.S. Census part-time over the summer. Almost one complete day of our training was completing paperwork. Yes, it was all paid time. In fact, because of all the paperwork, we ended up working more than a 40 hour week, so some of our hours were paid at time and a half.

Any company I have ever worked for had the paperwork completed on the first day of work and therefore I was paid for filling it out. When I worked in HR, this was also the way we did it.

The problem is, the job market is so bad right now, that employers can do anything they want and don't worry about it because people really need jobs.

yes, I have never encountered this in the past. my other jobs always did the paperwork on paid time, paid at my normal rate of pay.

I think it wouldn't bug me so much if it was only a couple hours, but it sounds like an all day event. and I feel like if they want me and my skills they should compensate me at my rate of pay for coming in to complete this "office" training day.

I think I am going to say something, not sure yet how I am wording it, but I will update you all later.
I don't expect they will change it for me. but it will make me feel better to say it, and if they don't want me after , so be it.

 

[Bob NC]

I used to be a hiring manager. I have to tell you, if you called me and questioned your pay for your FIRST day on a PART TIME job, I would be more than tempted to just say, "You know what, this may not be a very good fit for your or us. Thanks for your time and good luck on your job search."

Either tell them you need more money and get it or turn down the offer, OR, just walk away now, because obviously this is going to stick in your craw with this employer and you will never be happy there.

 

[npmommie]

I used to be a hiring manager. I have to tell you, if you called me and questioned your pay for your FIRST day on a PART TIME job, I would be more than tempted to just say, "You know what, this may not be a very good fit for your or us. Thanks for your time and good luck on your job search."

Either tell them you need more money and get it or turn down the offer, OR, just walk away now, because obviously this is going to stick in your craw with this employer and you will never be happy there.

I am going to question it, just to be sure I understood correctly. Like I said I have never encountered anything like this, so it surprises me.
and I would also tell them Thanks for your time and good luck finding another candidate.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

This company sounds very cheap to me and, if I was the person applying for the position, I would wonder if they are going to continue to "cheap out" in other situations. I know from other threads that you're a nurse practitioner (I'm an RN), and I would be wondering if would be having unrealistic expectations of my productivity, more emphasis on cost savings than on safe and effective patient care, etc.

That said, if you MUST have this job, I probably wouldn't say anything, but it sounds like you don't absolutely NEED this position (in which case I would definitely go ahead and ask the questions).

 

[tasha99]

this is not a minimum wage type job, this is a professional position, which is why it bugs me so much.



yes, I have never encountered this in the past. my other jobs always did the paperwork on paid time, paid at my normal rate of pay.

I think it wouldn't bug me so much if it was only a couple hours, but it sounds like an all day event. and I feel like if they want me and my skills they should compensate me at my rate of pay for coming in to complete this "office" training day.

I think I am going to say something, not sure yet how I am wording it, but I will update you all later.
I don't expect they will change it for me. but it will make me feel better to say it, and if they don't want me after , so be it.

The thing is, for that office day, they're not using your skills. They're just doing HR stuff, which requires your time but not any of your skills (if I understand this). I think it would be incredibly foolish to make waves over what is pretty much nothing in the grand scheme of things. Maybe you don't care if you get this job or not and you're sure that you can find another job really easily, but for most people, a job in hand is better than the possibility of one in the future.

(Even if you can easily find another job, you have to ask yourself if it would be better or not (closer, better company etc.) It may be that this company isn't right for you, or it may be that lots of companies are cheaping out during the recession.)

 

[npmommie]

This company sounds very cheap to me and, if I was the person applying for the position, I would wonder if they are going to continue to "cheap out" in other situations. I know from other threads that you're a nurse practitioner (I'm an RN), and I would be wondering if would be having unrealistic expectations of my productivity, more emphasis on cost savings than on safe and effective patient care, etc.

That said, if you MUST have this job, I probably wouldn't say anything, but it sounds like you don't absolutely NEED this position (in which case I would definitely go ahead and ask the questions).

its funny you said this, it is exactly what a friend of mine said when I told her about the job. she is a physician that I used to work with and she pointed out some things that I hadn't considered regarding the pay structure for the job.
I think I am going to discuss it with the person I spoke with about the job. Just to be sure I am clear on everything.

 

[npmommie]

The thing is, for that office day, they're not using your skills. They're just doing HR stuff, which requires your time but not any of your skills (if I understand this). I think it would be incredibly foolish to make waves over what is pretty much nothing in the grand scheme of things. Maybe you don't care if you get this job or not and you're sure that you can find another job really easily, but for most people, a job in hand is better than the possibility of one in the future.

(Even if you can easily find another job, you have to ask yourself if it would be better or not (closer, better company etc.) It may be that this company isn't right for you, or it may be that lots of companies are cheaping out during the recession.)

You are right in the grand scheme I guess it isn't the biggest deal. and I am not sure its a dealbreaker in this situation. but it still bugs me

 

[disykat]

It's because it IS a professional level job that I wouldn't expect to be paid for that kind of stuff. As a professional, I'm expected to do some training and work related errands on my own time - although I can sometimes get reimbursed for expenses. When I've worked lower paying hourly paid jobs, I'm only expected to think about work when I'm on the clock.

 

[Planogirl]

I had to go in and fill out paperwork and so on before my current job and I got exactly nothing for it. Of course, it wasn't as far away.

I would do this in a heartbeat. Jobs are too hard to come by nowadays.

 

[WDWAurora]

So you are going to ask? I may be wrong, but if you ask, I think you don't have a job anymore. I said it, tasha99, and maybe others have said it-they are NOT paying you for patient care, or anything related to your skills. It's a paperwork, here's what our company is kind of day. This is an exceedingly common practice. I worked at a hospital for several years, and was never paid for that. I've worked for city government, unpaid for paperwork (paid for training, but that was actually learning the job). I've worked for 2 local school systems. Unpaid for paperwork. The one I'm with now I drove 45 miles each way, did paperwork (around 2 hours) then my new boss introduced me around, so I was there around 4 hours. No pay. I worked for a chiropractor in college. Unpaid for paperwork.

I don't think this company sounds cheap at all. I think they're being quite generous to give you anything for this, and that has nothing to do with the state of the economy. I would think it was generous either way.

I think a few people are in agreement with you, but the majority doesn't find this to be out of the ordinary. I wouldn't rock the boat.

 

[december]

At my workplace, new employees have to pay for their own security check ($75) upon hire. I had to drive to the next town for this check. All the paperwork at the main office (not my workplace) probably took several hours as well.

Getting paid a stipend that would cover my travel expenses and my lunch sounds like a DEAL to me!

I'm a teacher, and I'm changing school districts this year. I had to pay $55 for my background/fingerprint check. I also had to spend about 2 hours getting the fingerprinting done and the paperwork filled out. And all new hires will start one day earlier than the other employees. I won't get paid extra for any of this.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I honestly think that if otherwise the job was what I was looking for, I wouldn't second guess this.* It doesn't necessarily have to have any deeper meaning than it's a stipend for a day filling out paperwork.* period.* To question it really starts you off on the wrong foot. imho.

 

[npmommie]

I honestly think that if otherwise the job was what I was looking for, I wouldn't second guess this.* It doesn't necessarily have to have any deeper meaning than it's a stipend for a day filling out paperwork.* period.* To question it really starts you off on the wrong foot. imho.

well I thought about it more after reading thru the thread, and this post is right on, the job otherwise is what I am looking for. so I have decided to for once keep my mouth shut........LOL........I won't say anything.

funny thing is I ran into the woman who hired me at the grocery store yesterday, she really is very nice and someone who I think I will have a good working relationship with.
the job is only for 8 hours a week, and flexible hours, I can basically make my own schedule.
so just what I am looking for right now.

thanks for all the input, it helps to get opinions!
so keeping mouth shut, hehe.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

It sounds like you will be happy working there and have a great, flexible schedule. Good luck with your new job!