Wal-mart Defends Controversial Food Drive For Employees

[AnneLine]

I only have a few seconds to drop in a few thoughts.... will try to come back later and say a bit more.

 

I used to run a job listing service for a college.  Some of the jobs were 'part time college student jobs', others were intended for those seeking work after college was finished.   I learned a whole lot of things while I did that job, including:

 

1)  There are always a few employers who will try to not pay the minimum wage (because they don't want to have to do so!);

 

2)  There are a few employers who think minimum wages shouldn't apply to students (because they are students);

 

3)  There are a few employers who think the students should pay THEM for the privilege of working for them (otherwise known as unpaid internships.... and I had huge fights with my superiors over this, because I didn't want to LIST these, and was required to do so....)

 

4)  The jobs that paid minimum wage in San Francisco (where they figure a living wage is about $3 ABOVE the minimum wage) did NOT get filled.. and the employers were generally baffled by this....

 

5)  The jobs that paid minimum wage 1 block outside of San Francisco paid even less than that (because it was the California State minimum wage which is 3 dollars BELOW the SF minimum wage....) were filled even less often.

 

6) Many employers were truly baffled and astonished to learn that students in this day and age have to work and support families while attending school.  Somehow they thought everyone lived at home like the Leave-It-to-Beaver-Cleavers.

 

7)  Many employers were startled at the concept that they could hire 2 full time person at a substandard wage or 1.5 persons at a good wage.... and that they might get just as much work done.  What a thought!

 

My thoughts on all of this... I do think it was a badly worded sign.  I don't think it was intended to be malicious... and that is an important factor in all of this.

 

It is SAD that in this day and age people have to take up a collection to help fellow employees --or ANYONE - with basic foods... but some people do need that help.  But probably better to do it a little less obviously.  A slip of paper in the pay stubs.... and a note about where donations could be left in a less conspicuous spot would have done the job much more effectively.

 

Many employers DO make tons of money... but many of them don't either.  All of us need to rethink what we want and what we need... on so many levels... to help our brothers and sisters have a fighting chance at getting through our current tough times.   If we can't contribute money, we can contribute time, or help someone learn a skill that will help to better themselves. 

 

And now I gotta go.... have an appointment!   If I said anything clumsily, ask me about it, because I am typing pretty fast and may not have said things as well as I might have!

 

Later....

[CrossCuT]

This has to do with a few points Anneline made.

 

I hate this map because it shows how horribly paid minim wage workers are. They cant afford the basics without working EXTRA hard to achieve it. I dont believe it should be this way.

Edited November 19, 2013 by CrossCuT

[NotreDame]

I do quite a few things to help the underserved and poor...but I dont make enough to write them checks. What do you do?

 

If I was Wal Mart Id totes pay them better. 

 

Any other questions?

 

It never surprises me that those who are so quick to be generous with other people's money never actually want to give any of their own.  

[CrossCuT]

It never surprises me that those who are so quick to be generous with other people's money never actually want to give any of their own.  

 

You have sympathies for poor walmart? Oh no! Walmart shouldnt have to be bullied into paying their workers a fair wage! Thats so mean!

 

:hehe2:

 

I give what I can but Im allowed to express my desire for fair pay without being judged by some nobody on a forum. 

I dont work at walmart so this wont help me, it would help all the people who are eating up your tax dollars in government aid because their wealthy employer wont pay them enough to be on their own.

 

Your energy is better spent helping those people and not trying to rip others down. 

Edited November 19, 2013 by CrossCuT

[Anomaly]

Genus 3:19.
You have to work to earn your food.

I don't think they had 40 hour work weeks in Jesus' day.

Blame God for not raining bread, or Adam and Eve for messing up the easy life.

As somebody who has worked "unskilled" jobs and in the"labor" industry for more than a few decades, I'm pretty cynical about the idea that hard work doesn't get you ahead. Certainly not always, but more often than the idea one is obligated to receive all your basic needs for little effort.

[CrossCuT]

Genus 3:19.
You have to work to earn your food.

I don't think they had 40 hour work weeks in Jesus' day.

Blame God for not raining bread, or Adam and Eve for messing up the easy life.

As somebody who has worked "unskilled" jobs and in the"labor" industry for more than a few decades, I'm pretty cynical about the idea that hard work doesn't get you ahead. Certainly not always, but more often than the idea one is obligated to receive all your basic needs for little effort.

Am I misunderstanding, or do you believe Walmart workers dont work hard enough for basic needs?

[Anomaly]

Am I misunderstanding, or do you believe Walmart workers dont work hard enough for basic needs?

My apologies if I was unclear.
No, I do not think a wal-mart stocker who does not supervise must be paid $20 an hour in Florida.

[KnightofChrist]

I just want to make clear, since I've apparently failed to do so. That I am not speaking down about the people who work at Walmart. I've met many who work there from all kinds of economical backgrounds, working there for various reasons. We should not judge a persons worth based on their skill level or level of education. It would be wonderful if people were paid on their worth, because then we would all be rich beyond measure, being made in the image of God makes our worth priceless!

However that does not change the fact that some jobs at places like Walmart do not require many pre-learned skills, and education. Much of the required skills can be learned through on the job training and rather quickly and relatively easily (though it could still be said to be hard work) compared to a job that requires a college degree and/or a high skill level.

If we use educational attainment to judge the worth of a person, that would be snobbish. If we use educational requirements and skill levels required for a job to measure the worth of that job, that is not snobbish. Some jobs will never have enough worth to depend on, they will not properly provide for a living.

[CrossCuT]

My apologies if I was unclear.
No, I do not think a wal-mart stocker who does not supervise must be paid $20 an hour in Florida.

 

Even if pay below that level means they dont have access to basic needs due to the cost of living?

[KnightofChrist]

Even if pay below that level means they dont have access to basic needs due to the cost of living?

Should someone get paid what they deserve to earn, or more than or less than? Is the example of stocking shelves actually worth $20 an hour?

[Anomaly]

Even if pay below that level means they dont have access to basic needs due to the cost of living?

Yes.
Define basic needs exactly.

[CrossCuT]

I just want to make clear, since I've apparently failed to do so. That I am not speaking down about the people who work at Walmart. I've met many who work there from all kinds of economical backgrounds, working there for various reasons. We should not judge a persons worth based on their skill level or level of education. It would be wonderful if people were paid on their worth, because then we would all be rich beyond measure, being made in the image of God makes our worth priceless!

However that does not change the fact that some jobs at places like Walmart do not require many pre-learned skills, and education. Much of the required skills can be learned through on the job training and rather quickly and relatively easily (though it could still be said to be hard work) compared to a job that requires a college degree and/or a high skill level.

If we use educational attainment to judge the worth of a person, that would be snobbish. If we use educational requirements and skill levels required for a job to measure the worth of that job, that is not snobbish. Some jobs will never have enough worth to depend on, they will not properly provide for a living.

 

Youre right! We are all made in the image and likeness of God and deserve dignity regardless of education, job, or skill level. 

I believe that even those who are in low education, low skill jobs should be able to afford the basic needs of living without having to work 80+ hours a week.

I dont think anyones perception of worth of skill matters in this conversation. What matters is worth of personal dignity. We need to fashion a world where this stuff doesnt happen.

 

Again, Im not suggesting we pay them 5 billion dollars an hour, Im saying we pay them enough to afford basic essentials.

[Anomaly]

Again, Im not suggesting we pay them 5 billion dollars an hour, Im saying we pay them enough to afford basic essentials.

Define basic essentials for living here in America, please.

[NotreDame]

Your energy is better spent helping those people and not trying to rip others down. 

 

Apparently your desire to dictate the behavior of others extends beyond Walmart's management to my use of my own energy?   It's just too bad we couldn't put you in charge of everything.  I'm sure the world would be a much better, more compassionate place.  I mean, what could go wrong.
 

[CrossCuT]

Yes.
Define basic needs exactly.

 

 

Define basic essentials for living here in America, please.

 

 

Ferrari, unicorn, fondue fountain, gold plated toilet.

 

Just to list a few