Free Career and Job Search Advice

Antman · Newbie Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Career Advice: +0/-0

NOTE : Just read summary if you don't want to read all.

Hi there.

I'm 20 Years old and living with my partner.

I joined this company in Oct 08. When I first started, I was just happy to get a job, this was my first ever job, and it was doing what I love. I got asked how much I was thinking for my pay should be, I stupidly said "Aww $400 a week or something?"

The job originally was for Computer Technician work. Fixing PCs and occasionally helping out with sales. I got two days training of how everything worked, then the guy that hired me left, and left me and another new guy to look after the shop.

After a few week, the other guy that was hired along with me, was told thanks but no thanks. So here I was, my first job, alone in a retail shop (I was a very shy person, and didn't want anything to do with customer service), managing the whole thing.

1 year later now and my boss leaves the country for a few months at a time, and comes back for a few weeks. I have full control of shop, access to everything, ordering stocks, etc. As I see it, I am a store manager. So I'm doing Sales AND Computer Technician work. (Repairing laptops and Desktops).

Now I am still getting paid $425 NewZealand Dollars ($280USD) / week after tax. I am working Monday-Friday 9:30-5:30 and Saturday 10-2. I don't really get to go out on lunch when I'm alone in shop.

The miminum wage in my country is $12.50/hour ($8.43USD). So I should be earning $550/week ($370USD) mimimum before tax. (Like $490 after tax I think).

SUMMARY-
How do I break it to my boss that I'm unhappy with my pay, I think after a year I deserve some sort of rise, but how do I ask for it, and should I ask a specific amount and threaten to leave? Up until now, I'm just scared to loose my job, and am loving the experience. Also how much should I be asking for? I'm getting paid under minimum wage for a Store Manager/Computer Technician job.

I'm also worried he'll just say, "I'm sorry the company can't afford that. I'll have to let you go untill business picks up"

Thanks for your help, and sorry for my novel.

Pauloz · Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 5:25 am Post subject:

Antman

You've got a point. You're currently getting paid NZ$10.89 per hour after tax, based on a 39 hour week, 5x7+ 4, no pay for lunch breaks.

Minimum wage would be $487 per week, but with a year's experience, and the duties involved, you should be getting more than that, unless NZ has some sort of age stipulation about adult wages. That is theoretically possible.

As a 19 year old last year, you probably got the standard "youth wages" ripoff, which means you can work your guts out doing the same work as everybody else for that much less.

There's no good reason why you shouldn't get more money. Actually, you probably know better than anyone how the business is doing, in terms of profits, so you could make the equation between what you should be getting and what's realistic.

Because you're enjoying the work, (and incidentally this job will also pay off well on your CV, lots of useful skills, including retail, good job getting material):

Suggest a tactful, indirect approach, "Can't do (whatever) because I don't have the money...Have to get a new car... etc," Let the boss think giving you a raise was his idea, no confrontations or spoiling things for no reason.

Also check out your entitlements anyway, in terms of any age restrictions. In fairness, the guy may not be a cheapskate, just paying you what he's required to pay, based on age. I really can't think of any other possible reason for the low pay scale. Even the dumbest employer would know that's illegal, to start with.

Guest · Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 am Post subject:

May be you got less pay but you can learn more things from you job.When you obtain more job skills and expenience, you will thank for you frist job that is helpful to you next job. Be not worry about that, the chance will offer the person who parpared well.

seller dhgate

Join our Newsletter
CopyRight © 1999-2008 cvtips.com This material cannot be published under any form or condition.