30's/40's/50's on minimum wage?

jacques_chirac

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Capability?, more like not everyone has the opportunity to progress up the career ladder.Also not everyone is prepared to be a total bottom kisser either.

Does anybody in this country not have the opportunity to go to university, or do vocational training? What stops you improving your own prospects?

I have never worked for minimum wage, and am far from a 'total bottom kisser'. In fact must of my opportunities have arisen because I will challenge the norm.

Maybe your attitude holds you back?

dandelionclock30

Theres plenty of people here in the U.K who have got good degrees, M.As and PHDs and still cant get a job because the openings simply are not their for them.
Also there are plenty of people who cant afford to give up a NMW job and go to University with all the debt that involves.
There is also very limited vocational training opportunities to those over 25 in certain sectors.

Cycrow

i was over 30 before i progressed onto a non minimum wage job.

i also had a Degree, but just struggled to find work, i was never very good in interviews and took me 6 years to actually find something.

i never lacked the ability to do the job, just the ability to prove i could in interviews

going to uni and getting a degree doesn't guarantee you a better than minimum wage job

marybelle01

paddedjohn wrote: »

I think you should get a dictionary and look up the word 'racist',

I would have been quite happy to use the word xenophobia, but didn't think everyone would know what it meant. I am happy with my use of racist thank you, and don't need a dictionary. Blaming people from other countries for the fact that someone is only paid the national minimum wage is not appropriate. If people wish to detract from the point by deflecting the discussion into whether they agree with my use of a word...

DKLS

There could be a million and one perfectly valid reasons why someone hasnt progressed up the food chain of work, I have had a few staff who I have promoted to mgt or supervisory roles, they have decided its not for them and would prefer their own role back.

Each to their own and we need people to fill those essential jobs that pay NMW. The people in the city earning mega bucks couldnt do their jobs without an army of people in low paid work.

AP007

marybelle01 wrote: »

Employers force wages down, not workers. I see no reason to be racist to make a point about older people on the national minimum wages.

I agree - its the job and the employer forcing them down.

[Deleted User]

falko89 wrote: »

Here is an attitude I have come across a couple of times now and I am wondering how prevalent it is in today's society.

If you're in your 30's/40's/50's you must be next to useless if you're still earning the minimum wage, why when you're half way through you're working life have you not progressed any?

Is this how people really feel? When I am searching for better paid work do employers think "Why is this guy only earning min wage? He must be useless" or do they think "This guy is prepared to do what ever it takes" or perhaps they think "OK this guy will work for min wage, that's what I'll give him"

So interested in your thoughts on the subject.

Ah, I don't think I'm useless and neither are you, employers on the other hand... I'm just stuck in a rut while it is an employers market
Once you reach rock bottom there is only one way up is what I like to keep telling myself

Could be argued that NMW workers are better off - well they qualify for benefits don't they? that's what employers tap into I'm sure

In a job of 20k (was nothing more then a golden opportunity which didn't last long and meant travelling to the other side of the county) I didn't qualify but like to think 'having' to accept 13k and more downsides I would do

I've never seen any international colleagues paid more then myself got to say, the only thing which rattles me is having to be 'local' to be considered for a job, grrr! :mad:

[Deleted User]

It's easier to not sit around judging people

Any

It has nothing to do with "every !!!!!! and larry coming here and taking out jobs, so I, an englishman have NMW job..".
I am one of the !!!!!! and larries and it might surprise you I do not earn anywhere near NMW and I certainly didn't force your wage down.. It meant taking qualifications twice, once in each country and language, night bar job and weekend attendance of school that I paid for, but now at 30 no one differentiate where I came from or if I had a bar job, just if I can do the job they want me to do and what my attitude is.

Lot of people decide they don't need the responsibility, the late hours or the need to live through a job... they want to go to work to earn for roof over their head and food in their bellies and every spare minute to spend with their family/on their hobbies.
It doesn't mean they are useless or not worthy. They just have different priorities and wants.
As said before, each level of workers is needed - otherwise it will not work.

AP007

Any wrote: »

I am one of the !!!!!! and larries and it might surprise you I do not earn anywhere near NMW .

Why don't you earn the NMW?