Money - Work.

[BlooArmeh!]

Got in to a debate with a fellow unemployed student about salaries the other day and thought it would be interesting to hear your views on it,

The questions are;

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage?
  
• Is this a fair amount?
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do?
  

The unemployed part:

• Are you actively job-seeking?
  
• If yes, are you often put off by lower paid jobs?
  
• If no, why?
  
• And lastly, do you feel there are enough incentives to work at the moment? (Does it work out better for you to be on benefits than at work...)
  

I have never been in full time employment, due largely to not needing one (Not gloating in the slightest. Luckily my parents are willing to put me up, but I do not live a privileged lifestyle.) so the idea of having a wage is alien to me.

My parents are relatively comfortable, but have previously suffered financial issues. They have both however, kept the same job for upwards of 15 years... So they must be relatively happy.

Yes, I'm perfectly aware this is subject that is rather raw/touchy, so if you're at all offended by this, I sincerely apologize. My intentions are not to be nosy or to irritate people, but to merely get your opinion.

Thank you in advance.

Oh, and one last thing - If you'd like somewhere to vent your frustrations about your work, then feel free to do it here.

[Rincewind]

• Are you actively job-seeking?Yes
  
• If yes, are you often put off by lower paid jobs? Higher paid salary are rare for somebody of my age and skills. so not really
  
• If no, why? I only have myself to support.
  
• And lastly, do you feel there are enough incentives to work at the moment? (Does it work out better for you to be on benefits than at work...) It depends on a persons situation. With the current economic situation and unemployment employers are taking advantage of this by only offering minimum wage in some jobs and increasing hours, and using agencies to cut costs like not paying benefits that employed workers would get plus they can stop the employment at any time. With so many going after each job many people have to take what they can get with work.
  

There will be a small number that disagree with this and even calling for the minmum wage to be reduced although I doubt thir wage qualifies for this. The jobs that wold qualify would be the dirty shitty jobs that nobody wants to do unless desperate.

[BlooArmeh!]

• Are you actively job-seeking?Yes
  
• If yes, are you often put off by lower paid jobs? Higher paid salary are rare for somebody of my age and skills. so not really
  
• If no, why? I only have myself to support.
  
• And lastly, do you feel there are enough incentives to work at the moment? (Does it work out better for you to be on benefits than at work...) It depends on a persons situation. With the current economic situation and unemployment employers are taking advantage of this by only offering minimum wage in some jobs and increasing hours, and using agencies to cut costs like not paying benefits that employed workers would get plus they can stop the employment at any time. With so many going after each job many people have to take what they can get with work.
  

There will be a small number that disagree with this and even calling for the minimum wage to be reduced although I doubt their wage qualifies for this. The jobs that wold qualify would be the dirty shitty jobs that nobody wants to do unless desperate.

Thank your for your reply. Forgive me if I'm wrong...So you feel that the current economic situation is perhaps being exploited by 'the bosses' as they are now effectively paying less per hour, for more work work per hour. And the jobs available are largely unattractive work-wise. Very interesting and I appreciate your opinion.

[pSinatra]

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.) self-employed
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? do you mean 'what do I declare'?
  
• Is this a fair amount? HMRC might have a different opinion, but I think it's fair
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? there does seem to be a large discrepancy between the amount of work I do & my wage
  

[BlooArmeh!]

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.) self-employed
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? do you mean 'what do I declare'?
  
• Is this a fair amount? HMRC might have a different opinion, but I think it's fair
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? there does seem to be a large discrepancy between the amount of work I do & my wage
  

Okay, yes in this case what do you declare.. =) I guess it's beyond the point now, anyway. You say the work you do and the money you earn doesn't seem to correlate, why is this? And would you agree with the notion that there aren't enough incentives to work? Thanks, and I appreciate your input.

Ps. I'm not sure if your post was was a wind-up. If not, apologies, if it was - thanks anyway.

[Alexikokopops]

Got in to a debate with a fellow unemployed student about salaries the other day and thought it would be interesting to hear your views on it,

The questions are;

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage?
  
• Is this a fair amount?
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do?
  

Job: I analyse marketing activity for my company (a large telecoms company), as well as help target campaigns etc. yada yada yada

Wage: decent enough. If you're really interested this gives you the kind of ball park you're looking at for analysts

http://www.salarytrack.co.uk/average-analyst-salary.html

Fair amount?: I'm not complaining, it sorts me out. I'm underpaid by market standards. I've been at the same place since I left Uni about 4 and a half years ago so could probably get a £5k payrise by moving elsewhere. However, as it stands, there are other more important things keeping me at my current place which I value over chasing that extra amount.

Representative?: I'd say it's more representative of the complexity than the amount. I'm also lucky in that there's always demand for analysts which keeps wages a bit higher.

[StanSP]

I have 2 jobs so I'll fill it out separately for each

The questions are;

• What's Your job? First one is as financial administration officer at a local housing association (temp contract, full-time)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? Well above minimum wage for my age (22)
  
• Is this a fair amount? Yes.
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? It started off being overpaid/underworked (I was getting same rate of pay, but often running out of things to do cos I'd get jobs done way before deadlines. I've been given more responsibilities now so I'd say it's swung the other way a tiny, tiny bit.
  

Part 2

• What's Your job? Second one is general sales assistant at Matalan (permanent, part-time)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? Just slightly above minimum wage.
  
• Is this a fair amount? Yes
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? I'd say so. It's a fairly easy job so as much as I'd like to get paid more (who wouldn't?!), it won't happen.
  

[FoxesAreBlue]

What's your Job? Assistant Manager of a Gym

Salary? Keepin that under my hat

Is it fair? I'd say yes as this is my first management job do I am learning a lot, I would expect it to rise to be in line with other Assistants in the company as I get more experianced and "skilled" in my role.

Representative? At the moment, yes, as I improve, if it stayed the same I would disagree - however I would be surprised if it doesn't go up.

[Rincewind]

Thank your for your reply. Forgive me if I'm wrong...So you feel that the current economic situation is perhaps being exploited by 'the bosses' as they are now effectively paying less per hour, for more work work per hour. And the jobs available are largely unattractive work-wise. Very interesting and I appreciate your opinion.

Exploited is a bit strong of a word. I would say businesses are doing what they can to keep going and this means cutting back on paid workforce and finding cheaper ways to employ people. They know workers cannot move from one job to another as easy as they could when Britain had industries doing well, ie. hosiery, cars, engineering, retail. These have all been affected by the ongoing recessions so there are thousands going after jobs that are low paid but slightly better than the dole. Being unemployed means you have to adjust your expenditure to match your income. It is hard but possible if willing to accept you cannot have things people in well paid jobs have.

[Ross-Kemp]

I'm a customer services specialist for a major gas and electricity company (full time, temp to perm)

I'm on £8.14 an hour, around £16000 a year.

Compared to other companies, I'd say I'm a little underpaid.

For the work I do yes, more customer service focused than sales based (like most) which probably reflects the difference in salary.

[THEBIGJOHNSTEADER;]

I change people, I change them from being alive people, to being dead people. The monies pretty good as its cash in hand.

[BlooArmeh!]

Job: I analyse marketing activity for my company (a large telecoms company), as well as help target campaigns etc. yada yada yada

Wage: decent enough. If you're really interested this gives you the kind of ball park you're looking at for analysts

http://www.salarytra...yst-salary.html

Fair amount?: I'm not complaining, it sorts me out. I'm underpaid by market standards. I've been at the same place since I left Uni about 4 and a half years ago so could probably get a £5k payrise by moving elsewhere. However, as it stands, there are other more important things keeping me at my current place which I value over chasing that extra amount.

Representative?: I'd say it's more representative of the complexity than the amount. I'm also lucky in that there's always demand for analysts which keeps wages a bit higher.

I appreciate your input, Thank you. So in your opinion your salary is representative because of the nature of your work, but not necessarily the volume of work you do. Interesting. May I ask whether your pay has increased since you've started at your workplace? (Please don't hesitate to tell me if you don't wish to answer that. I completely understand.) And if so was this in line with inflation? Another problem within the work place seems to be the lack of reward for loyalty to the business...Thanks.

[Charl91]

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.). Part time, working for a Rapid prototyping/3D Printing company at the moment. Mainly doing the post-processing work on the models and maintenance on the machines,
  

• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? I'm only working 14 hours a week, but the pay is 8.50 an hour (so about £500 a month).
  

• Is this a fair amount? The pay rate is certainly fair. I'd like to have slightly more hours, but I'm working in schools as a volunteer in my spare time to try and get on to a PGCE, so wouldn't really have time for a full time job.
  

• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? Yup
  

[Alexikokopops]

I appreciate your input, Thank you. So in your opinion your salary is representative because of the nature of your work, but not necessarily the volume of work you do. Interesting. May I ask whether your pay has increased since you've started at your workplace? (Please don't hesitate to tell me if you don't wish to answer that. I completely understand.) And if so was this in line with inflation? Another problem within the work place seems to be the lack of reward for loyalty to the business...Thanks.

Yeah, the usual route to go into my line of work to do a masters degree at Uni and I think I'm one of the few people who uses things they learnt at Uni in their job. As a result I think this tends to be why I'm paid more for the nature rather than the volume. That said, I still put in a solid day's work and work late at least once a month (a guestimate, the last time was last week), so I still put in a shift

My pay has increased since I've been at the company, and by more than inflation, which I think is largely due to the fact I came through on a graduate scheme (of sorts) which saw an increase at the end, and because I've made an internal move in that time. The past year and a half or so has seen it rise roughly with inflation which, given the state of things today, I'm still grateful for.

[Steven]

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.). Part time, working for a Rapid prototyping/3D Printing company at the moment. Mainly doing the post-processing work on the models and maintenance on the machines,
  

• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? I'm only working 14 hours a week, but the pay is 8.50 an hour (so about £500 a month).
  

• Is this a fair amount? The pay rate is certainly fair. I'd like to have slightly more hours, but I'm working in schools as a volunteer in my spare time to try and get on to a PGCE, so wouldn't really have time for a full time job.
  

• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? Yup
  

After what I see Nokia are doing, area that will only grow.

[Bert]

What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.). Apprentice Electrician

[*](Optional) What's your salary/wage? £9.42 PH until 40 hours then £14.13 for any hours worked after that.

[*]Is this a fair amount? This is the wage set by the JIB for someone at the stage I'm at in the apprenticeship.

[*]Is the salary/wage representative of how much work - I'd say so.

[pSinatra]

Okay, yes in this case what do you declare.. =) I guess it's beyond the point now, anyway. You say the work you do and the money you earn doesn't seem to correlate, why is this? And would you agree with the notion that there aren't enough incentives to work? Thanks, and I appreciate your input.

Ps. I'm not sure if your post was was a wind-up. If not, apologies, if it was - thanks anyway.

I'm a self-employed gardener & it's seasonal - so it's pretty difficult to fit that into your questions. I'm mad-busy in the summer & not-so busy in the winter, so it's not a regular monthly amount or wage. There are benefits to being self-employed, but there are perks that I don't receive.......things like sick pay, holiday pay, contributory pension scheme, etc. I'm not complaining - I knew that from the start & the good outweighs the bad.

I would like to say that I am a good gardener & I am only interested in doing a good job for my customers. I could easily charge a hell of a lot more than I do, but I'm a better gardener than I am businessman. Many of my customers are very god friends now & I am always doing 'extras' that I don't charge for. I've even found myself on more than one occasion bartering the price down & the customer trying to push the price up!!

Yes, I could earn more but would I still have the same relationship I do with my customers? Most of my work is by 'word-of-mouth' & would they be so happy to pass my name on? It's not all about the money. I am happy in my job & although I could earn more, I'm perfectly happy with my income as it is. If I wanted to earn more, I would take on more work & bigger jobs.......not put prices up or squeeze extra money out of my existing customers.

[BlooArmeh!]

I have 2 jobs so I'll fill it out separately for each

The questions are;

• What's Your job? First one is as financial administration officer at a local housing association (temp contract, full-time)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? Well above minimum wage for my age (22)
  
• Is this a fair amount? Yes.
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? It started off being overpaid/underworked (I was getting same rate of pay, but often running out of things to do cos I'd get jobs done way before deadlines. I've been given more responsibilities now so I'd say it's swung the other way a tiny, tiny bit.
  

Part 2

• What's Your job? Second one is general sales assistant at Matalan (permanent, part-time)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? Just slightly above minimum wage.
  
• Is this a fair amount? Yes
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? I'd say so. It's a fairly easy job so as much as I'd like to get paid more (who wouldn't?!), it won't happen.
  

Thank you for your input. May I ask whether you feel there is room to progress within your job(s)? For example becoming Manager/Assistant manager at Matalan?

[Charl91]

After what I see Nokia are doing, area that will only grow.

Yeah, the business I work for has grown a fair bit recently (one of the reasons I was employed) - I think in the last 6 months they made more then they did the previous 18 months.

[BlooArmeh!]

What's your Job? Assistant Manager of a Gym

Salary? Keepin that under my hat

Is it fair? I'd say yes as this is my first management job do I am learning a lot, I would expect it to rise to be in line with other Assistants in the company as I get more experianced and "skilled" in my role.

Representative? At the moment, yes, as I improve, if it stayed the same I would disagree - however I would be surprised if it doesn't go up.

Thank you for your input. Can I ask how long you've been in this job? Also, were you promoted from within the company? Thanks.

[pSinatra]

Got in to a debate with a fellow unemployed student about salaries the other day and thought it would be interesting to hear your views on it,

The questions are;

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.)
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage?
  
• Is this a fair amount?
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do?
  

The unemployed part:

• Are you actively job-seeking?
  
• If yes, are you often put off by lower paid jobs?
  
• If no, why?
  
• And lastly, do you feel there are enough incentives to work at the moment? (Does it work out better for you to be on benefits than at work...)
  

I have never been in full time employment, due largely to not needing one (Not gloating in the slightest. Luckily my parents are willing to put me up, but I do not live a privileged lifestyle.) so the idea of having a wage is alien to me.

My parents are relatively comfortable, but have previously suffered financial issues. They have both however, kept the same job for upwards of 15 years... So they must be relatively happy.

Yes, I'm perfectly aware this is subject that is rather raw/touchy, so if you're at all offended by this, I sincerely apologize. My intentions are not to be nosy or to irritate people, but to merely get your opinion.

Thank you in advance.

Oh, and one last thing - If you'd like somewhere to vent your frustrations about your work, then feel free to do it here.

Can I ask why you are not seeking employment? I know that you say you are luckily enough to not need one at the moment, but how long do you see this lasting for & what are your intentions for the future?

What kind of unemployed student are you? Post-graduate or unemployed since school/college? What kind of qualifications do you have?

Is there a type of work you would ideally like to go into?

This isn't a dig......I'm just interested to know how you view your prospects in the current climate?

[whoareyaaa]

• What's Your job (If you have one...There is a separate part for the unemployed.) Self Employed Internet marketing.
  
• (Optional) What's your salary/wage? depends really how much work you put in through the year, 20k-30k is the minimum, this could the be the year though!
  
• Is this a fair amount? Yes, considering the hours worked and benefits of working for yourself.
  
• Is the salary/wage representative of how much work you do? yes that's why I am doing it.
  

[BlooArmeh!]

Can I ask why you are not seeking employment? I know that you say you are luckily enough to not need one at the moment, but how long do you see this lasting for & what are your intentions for the future?

What kind of unemployed student are you? Post-graduate or unemployed since school/college? What kind of qualifications do you have?

Is there a type of work you would ideally like to go into?

This isn't a dig......I'm just interested to know how you view your prospects in the current climate?

A completely fair post. I'm currently doing a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. I have a reasonably high workload, Which means looking for a job that fits in with my schedule is difficult. I'm aware of how this may be perceived as being 'twattish' but I quite simply don't need a job. My view on things is that I'm likely to spend the rest of my adult life working full-time (Hopefully.) so the longer I can effectively stall starting work, the better.(I'm aware that I sound like an utter tit here, for that, I apologize.) My parents are more than willing to look after me for the time being as their joint income is relatively large. I'm hoping to go in to business management in the future, but to be honest I'd be open to any kind of job - initially, anyway.

So yeah, to summarize, I'm not seeking employment because right now I don't have to. But I will certainly be looking for employment in the near future.

[BlooArmeh!]

I'm a customer services specialist for a major gas and electricity company (full time, temp to perm)

I'm on £8.14 an hour, around £16000 a year.

Compared to other companies, I'd say I'm a little underpaid.

For the work I do yes, more customer service focused than sales based (like most) which probably reflects the difference in salary.

Thank you for your input, may I ask whether you've considered moving to another company? And if so, what has stopped you from moving? Thanks.

[pSinatra]

A completely fair post. I'm currently doing a degree in Public Relations and Marketing. I have a reasonably high workload, Which means looking for a job that fits in with my schedule is difficult. I'm aware of how this may be perceived as being 'twattish' but I quite simply don't need a job. My view on things is that I'm likely to spend the rest of my adult life working full-time (Hopefully.) so the longer I can effectively stall starting work, the better.(I'm aware that I sound like an utter tit here, for that, I apologize.) My parents are more than willing to look after me for the time being as their joint income is relatively large. I'm hoping to go in to business management in the future, but to be honest I'd be open to any kind of job - initially, anyway.

So yeah, to summarize, I'm not seeking employment because right now I don't have to. But I will certainly be looking for employment in the near future.

I don't see a problem with any of what you say. You are fortunate enough to be in a position that you can take your time to find something that you want to do & why not take advantage of that?

I have taken jobs that I knew I would not want to be doing for the rest of my life. I initially viewed them as short-term, but they tended to last for a lot longer. I became comfortable where I was & took on commitments outside of work (e.g. loans) that made it incredibly difficult to go into other employment on similar or better money. I seemed to find myself trapped in a job that I didn't enjoy & I didn't want.

People talk about career changes as if it is available to everyone. How do you re-train for another career & still afford to keep a roof over your head & food on the table? Some people are risk takers & some aren't. It was a major leap of faith for me to go self-employed & I had no way of knowing how it would pan out. It could have quite easily been a mistake, but has turned out to be the best decision I have ever made.

Your working life is a long one & why shouldn't you want to find something that you see yourself enjoying & doing for a long time? Good luck with whatever you decide to do!!