Learning to demand pay for your time at a job is an important life lesson. Not everyone learns it. I have a coworker on the verge of retirement that eats while working and doesn’t take a “no-lunch”.
I would argue that the lion’s share of wage theft happens at the lowest paid jobs. They have no alternatives, they’re paid zero respect, the power balance is in the employer’s favor, and their employers know it. They can’t even demand a reasonable standard of living.
Well, they can but it would take a concerted effort, and the American mindset is too individualist to understand class solidarity, or too distracted by just trying to survive.
I will add to what OP said, though, and say that companies will pay for certain types of commutes.
For example, when I used to work at a certain grocery store, some of us were asked one night (I worked the night shift) to go help one of our other stores nearby that had recently been expanded and hadn’t yet hired the staff necessary to keep up. We were paid to cover the gas used to get from point A to point B and back to point A (because we needed to clock out at point A).
I’ve also heard that some construction companies will also pay for commutes to different worksites from the office.
Some companies may also either let you use a company credit card or let you get paid back for expenses incurred on a business trip. (Of course, in both cases, the company would want proof of each transaction.)
Additionally, depending on the circumstances and where you live, you may be able to claim the amount you paid for gas commuting to work on your annual taxes. (Or so I’ve heard. Take this one with a grain of salt. I’ve not been attentive enough to the amount of gas I’m using commuting to work to be able to claim it. This is one I heard about from a friend.)
… I guess you’re writing this because it isn’t so… ?
Learning to demand pay for your time at a job is an important life lesson. Not everyone learns it. I have a coworker on the verge of retirement that eats while working and doesn’t take a “no-lunch”.
That’s actually illegal in my state, and companies can get in big trouble if the employee doesn’t take a break/ lunch.
I would argue that the lion’s share of wage theft happens at the lowest paid jobs. They have no alternatives, they’re paid zero respect, the power balance is in the employer’s favor, and their employers know it. They can’t even demand a reasonable standard of living.
Well, they can but it would take a concerted effort, and the American mindset is too individualist to understand class solidarity, or too distracted by just trying to survive.
Knowing it, and being able to do anything about it are two very different things. Especially in lower paying fields.
Correct. In the US, these practices are commonly not paid by employers.
sigh
I will add to what OP said, though, and say that companies will pay for certain types of commutes.
For example, when I used to work at a certain grocery store, some of us were asked one night (I worked the night shift) to go help one of our other stores nearby that had recently been expanded and hadn’t yet hired the staff necessary to keep up. We were paid to cover the gas used to get from point A to point B and back to point A (because we needed to clock out at point A).
I’ve also heard that some construction companies will also pay for commutes to different worksites from the office.
Some companies may also either let you use a company credit card or let you get paid back for expenses incurred on a business trip. (Of course, in both cases, the company would want proof of each transaction.)
Additionally, depending on the circumstances and where you live, you may be able to claim the amount you paid for gas commuting to work on your annual taxes. (Or so I’ve heard. Take this one with a grain of salt. I’ve not been attentive enough to the amount of gas I’m using commuting to work to be able to claim it. This is one I heard about from a friend.)