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Why do people only pay the minimum wage

I ask this in reference to a cleaner that we had at one of our work sites.
He worked about 45 hours per week doing the cleaning, including a few other duties. He was a great worker yet the company only paid him 5.50 ph

I was therefore wondering why they couldn't just pay him, say, 6.50 or 7 an hour?

It would really make no difference at all to the bottom line, but you'd have a very happy cemployeewho would take even more pride in his job and feel worthwhile.
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Comments

  • Snooze
    Snooze Posts: 2,041 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    stringsmk2 wrote: »
    I ask this in reference to a cleaner that we had at one of our work sites.
    He worked about 45 hours per week doing the cleaning, including a few other duties. He was a great worker yet the company only paid him 5.50 ph

    I was therefore wondering why they couldn't just pay him, say, 6.50 or 7 an hour?

    It would really make no difference at all to the bottom line
    , but you'd have a very happy cemployeewho would take even more pride in his job and feel worthwhile.

    Is this post for real? :rotfl:
  • misskool
    misskool Posts: 12,832 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's taken our place of work more than 2 months to replace the washer-up who retired.

    I think a lot of cleaning jobs etc are contracted out so the sub-contractor only makes a small profit and can only pay minimum wage and the company doesn't feel the difficulties with replacing them. My workplace certainly pays more than minimum wage (but I'm not sure if it's the London living wage)
  • Lotus-eater
    Lotus-eater Posts: 10,789 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Three words, top up benefits.
    Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.
  • doire_2
    doire_2 Posts: 2,275 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I wish someone would kick our cleaner up the backside. My bin hasn't been emptied all week
  • Old_Slaphead
    Old_Slaphead Posts: 2,749 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    stringsmk2 wrote: »
    I ask this in reference to a cleaner that we had at one of our work sites.
    He worked about 45 hours per week doing the cleaning, including a few other duties. He was a great worker yet the company only paid him 5.50 ph

    I was therefore wondering why they couldn't just pay him, say, 6.50 or 7 an hour?

    It would really make no difference at all to the bottom line, but you'd have a very happy cemployeewho would take even more pride in his job and feel worthwhile.

    Because then they'd be on the same rate as the Assistant Warehose Manager who has a lot more responsibility - and that wouldn't be fair would it?

    (nb I'm not joking!)
  • Old_Slaphead
    Old_Slaphead Posts: 2,749 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    doire wrote: »
    I wish someone would kick our cleaner up the backside. My bin hasn't been emptied all week


    Get up of your backside and do it yourself (kick the cleaner up the backside that is)
  • Old_Slaphead
    Old_Slaphead Posts: 2,749 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 22 October 2010 at 8:37AM
    You live in a very bizzare world where assistant managers get paid the pittance of £7 per hour!! :rotfl:


    Most people round here consider ASDA to be a posh shop
  • This discussion just shows what is wrong with our society.

    At least this cleaner is WORKING and not claiming unemployment benefits.

    Fine let your company go without cleaners and see how long your business survives. Many of you high and mighty earners out there don't actually realise the reality if people like these didn't exist. Would hotels continue to function without kitchen porters and room cleaners?
  • bendix
    bendix Posts: 5,499 Forumite
    stringsmk2 wrote: »
    I ask this in reference to a cleaner that we had at one of our work sites.
    He worked about 45 hours per week doing the cleaning, including a few other duties. He was a great worker yet the company only paid him 5.50 ph

    I was therefore wondering why they couldn't just pay him, say, 6.50 or 7 an hour?

    It would really make no difference at all to the bottom line, but you'd have a very happy cemployeewho would take even more pride in his job and feel worthwhile.

    Are you for real?

    Imagine going out to buy a new TV. Two shops have exactly the same model in it. In one store the price is £300. In the store nextdoor, the price is £400.

    Which one would you buy?

    Unless you convince me you will buy the one for £400 everytime, you have absolutely no right to criticise anyone for paying minimum wage when you feel they should be paying the same worker £7 an hour, just for the hell of it.
  • ILW
    ILW Posts: 18,333 Forumite
    All the time there is a benefits system that tops up wages, there is no reason for wages to settle at a true market rate. In most cases the taxpayer is subsidising the employer to pay low rates. Crazy.
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