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Violet_Crumble

(36,406 posts)

83. What about if the minimum wage was more reasonable?

Sat Mar 7, 2015, 07:42 AM

Mar 2015

We don't tip where I live, but the minimum wage for hospitality workers is very different than in the US. I just checked the Award, and the minimum wage is $17.35, working evenings is $19.32, Saturdays $21.69, Sundays $30.37 and public holidays is $43.38.

http://www.fairwork.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/836/hospitality-industry-general-award-2010-ma000009-pay-guide.pdf.aspx

And I just read in this thread that low income earners pay tax. That's appalling, imo. Where I am there's a sliding scale and if someone earns under $18k a year they don't pay tax.

http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/income-and-deductions/how-much-income-tax-you-pay/individual-income-tax-rates/

That's how it should be in the US instead of employers and the government leaning on the generosity of customers (tipping isn't mandatory, right?) to cover their unwillingness to pay a wage people can live on. Someone was telling me that eating out in the US is cheaper than here, and I suspect it's the difference in wages that explain that, but I'd rather eat a more expensive meal knowing the waiting staff are being paid a reasonable wage than have a cheap meal served by staff who are being paid a pittance...

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upworthy: Here�s a paycheck for a McDonald�s worker. And here's my jaw dropping to the floor. [View all] Omaha Steve Mar 2015 OP

Unbelieveable. They think people can live off this? SummerSnow Mar 2015 #1

$8.75 is not enough to earn per hour SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #2

It's about a 30 hour week, actually. Jackpine Radical Mar 2015 #4

Understand and agree SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #5

wanna tell us what the amount would be if it WAS full time? Skittles Mar 2015 #7

About $18,000 SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #9

But you don't get to make the rules. The government does and 36 hours is full time. Rex Mar 2015 #12

Where does the government mandate that 36 hours per week is full time? SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #18

No goverment mandate, but many employers do call 36 hours a week full time. maddiemom Mar 2015 #73

The paystub indicates just over 30 hours per week (gross/8.75/52) so not kelly1mm Mar 2015 #29

Actually it's 36 hours a week sweetloukillbot Mar 2015 #33

The OP says he made $13,811.18 last year. $13,811.18 divided by $8.75 is kelly1mm Mar 2015 #39

Doesn't say he was employed for 52 weeks though. sweetloukillbot Mar 2015 #54

do you work 52 weeks a year? mopinko Mar 2015 #57

I am retired but previous to that I was self employed, so no paid vacation or other paid leave. kelly1mm Mar 2015 #58

FICA? NT Orangepeel Mar 2015 #68

Gross is before deductions like FICA, Fed/State income tax ect. nt kelly1mm Mar 2015 #77

$17,500 Man from Pickens Mar 2015 #51

at the federal minimum of $7.25, it would be $15,080. at $8.75 it would be $18,200. ND-Dem Mar 2015 #56

36 hours a week is considered full time, I am sorry if this shocks you that Rex Mar 2015 #11

No, 36 hours per week is not considered full time SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #13

Sorry but 36 hours a week is considered fulltime go look it up if you don't believe me. Rex Mar 2015 #15

OK SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #19

In terms of benefits per the ACA full-time is 30 hours a week or more Cal Carpenter Mar 2015 #26

Most larger companies use the 36 hour plateau as Full Time RockaFowler Mar 2015 #25

Understand SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #27

And it would be interesting to hear TBF Mar 2015 #35

Mostly because of the claim in the OP SickOfTheOnePct Mar 2015 #37

The paystub indicates just over 30 hours per week though (gross/8.75/52 = 30.3 hours) kelly1mm Mar 2015 #31

anything over 30 hours per week indivisibleman Mar 2015 #40

Walmart uses the same trick. That way they don't benefits or enough to live on, and as a result sabrina 1 Mar 2015 #17

Oh...I bet it is about as full time as it gets on a regular basis unless salaried TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #6

add in mercuryblues Mar 2015 #20

True, very unlikely they could do the 60 if they wanted. TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #50

Food stamp pay for F/T food service workers. McDonald's is modern slavery. leveymg Mar 2015 #3

Yup, and some folks are even doing worse than that. TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #16

$11,850... malokvale77 Mar 2015 #48

That is crazy, by the time you pay attention it has to be about gone. TheKentuckian Mar 2015 #49

I went to a SS seminar a few weeks ago CrispyQ Mar 2015 #63

That's gross too, not net. nt Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #8

Asshole manager where my housemate works told him that his $9.75/hr was more than minimum wage. hobbit709 Mar 2015 #10

Yeah and you know who McLoves it? The CEOs and Execs. Rex Mar 2015 #14

How many seconds... 3catwoman3 Mar 2015 #21

0.4 Roland99 Mar 2015 #22

Nice work if you... 3catwoman3 Mar 2015 #46

$1.40 more an hour than Texas! Dustlawyer Mar 2015 #23

that's about what I will make this year hfojvt Mar 2015 #24

That sucks and that worker is one of millions of LibDemAlways Mar 2015 #28

More than I made as a teacher Telcontar Mar 2015 #30

That's about what my wife brings home... freebrew Mar 2015 #32

Happiness is the asshole with all of the loot tomsaiditagain Mar 2015 #34

People on this kind of pay are told EVERYONE makes this kind of money. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #36

The sad part is that more and more will as unions TBF Mar 2015 #41

There's a whole generation that's rediscovering the concept of unions.... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #55

there are more billionaires now than ever, so i'm not sure why you focus on kochs and waltons. ND-Dem Mar 2015 #80

I focus on the Kochs because they influence politics TBF Mar 2015 #85

Saying that the number of billionaires is growing (while the masses grow poorer) is no defense ND-Dem Mar 2015 #90

I have no problem talking about the billionaires on either side - TBF Mar 2015 #91

I make $12 / hr. I am told that on a regular basis. Initech Mar 2015 #43

I suppose 13 would be unlucky. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #53

yes. they're also told "you can't get a full-time job anymore" and "you can't get a job ND-Dem Mar 2015 #79

There's a general hostility from management ever since RMoney and his 47% crack.... Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2015 #82

It's criminal, Steve TBF Mar 2015 #38

Holy shit, and that's before taxes are taken out. Initech Mar 2015 #42

It is my humble oponion e-cigdub Mar 2015 #44

Too bad they don't show those pay card fees associated with their wages d_legendary1 Mar 2015 #45

I make less than that in a year. Binkie The Clown Mar 2015 #47

Full time at minimum wage madamesilverspurs Mar 2015 #52

You deserve a break today! Fumesucker Mar 2015 #59

+1 johnnyreb Mar 2015 #60

So get up and walk away.... daleanime Mar 2015 #61

And this is surprise to anyone? Alkene Mar 2015 #62

This is why a former waitress I would never EVER want the tip system to go away LynneSin Mar 2015 #64

Extend the concept to everyone you do business with ... Fumesucker Mar 2015 #66

My daughter is in high school philosslayer Mar 2015 #71

What about if the minimum wage was more reasonable? Violet_Crumble Mar 2015 #83

It would have to go very high LynneSin Mar 2015 #86

The poor CEO,how does he manage father founding Mar 2015 #65

Republicans and corporatist Democrats believe they make too much. Enthusiast Mar 2015 #67

So ... let me float a different viewpoint NashuaDW Mar 2015 #69

Well, your father worked in an era where a minimum wage job was usually a teen's job. haele Mar 2015 #72

"that is all his labor/skills are worth. " Scootaloo Mar 2015 #74

My first job was at McDonalds BubbaFett Mar 2015 #70

Because those are the jobs available. Scootaloo Mar 2015 #75

Hard work is not an indicator of success BubbaFett Mar 2015 #76

No, I'm not itching for a fight Scootaloo Mar 2015 #84

Still trying to figure out why you have a need to respond like a jerk BubbaFett Mar 2015 #87

Thanks. Always a pleasure, you know Scootaloo Mar 2015 #89

but scott walker said $7.50/hr is a living wage (although, I am not sure how a cockroach niyad Mar 2015 #78

that particular cockroach makes a good deal more than $7.50/hr, too. ND-Dem Mar 2015 #81

That may be livable if all the following... Shoulders of Giants Mar 2015 #88