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this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2024
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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... 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".
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.
That's actually illegal in my state, and companies can get in big trouble if the employee doesn't take a break/ lunch.
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.)
I don't live in the US, but I've been a traveling tech for all my life, and I've got a few comments:
First paragraph: Here in my country, and I guess all of the EU since these things are usually harmonized, if you're on the clock and you have to leave your work place (which is specified on your contract), not only the company HAS to pay for transportation, but most companies WON'T let you use your own vehicle, so either public transport, a company car or a rental. That is because of the various interpretations of workplace safety regulations.
At my current company, if I leave the "province" (let's say 50km radius from the main city, to simplify) for at least 4 hours, I get paid for a "travelling work" day, a daily extra for each day of work I spend away from the work place. This IS NOT standard, I know many people don't have this on their contract, but it's common for my kind of work.
I have a company card, and every expense has to be registered, it's actually a pain in the ass 'cause I have to both scan every receipt, and also staple them on sheets, detailing the type of expense.
You catch on fast young Padawan.