What should I be earning?

Kassie60

Hi, I hope someone will be able to give me some idea of what I should be earning in my job. I live in Somerset and run the works canteen. I'm fully responsible for producing all the food, doing all the shopping, banking, orders, cleaning and hygiene. I cater for approx 50 people for break time and lunch. I cook bacon and sausages and make a range of rolls and sandwiches. I work 35 hours a week and I'm paid £6.94 per hour. I feel I should be paid more but I'm not sure how much would be fair. I've been doing the job for 5 years and never had a pay review.

Wizzbang

If you're not happy, it's time to move on. Sounds like your employer has got things the way they want them i.e. they are getting loads out of you and probably not paying you enough. Are all those responsibilities in your job description/ contract?

The problem is- it's tough economically and you're in Somerset, where jobs are much harder to come by (I lived up there for a while and quickly moved back to the South Coast, where there was more work/ opportunities!) They'll always be someone else likely to take your job for that rate of pay in Somerset. Unless you're a chef with catering qualifications, I think you'd find it hard to ask for/ demand a pay rise. And if you did have those qualifications, it's unlikely you'd be working in that role.

The type of food you are making is very basic and therefore, I would suggest that rate of pay is justified. You probably should get a bit extra for the responsibilities you hold- hygiene breaches are serious, banking is a responsible job, as it locking up premises- key holders are often paid a small premium to reflect this. Does the buck really stop with you, or is a manager ultimately responsible? i.e. if Trading Standards came to inspect food hygiene. If you switch employers/ area you may find things are different. In some areas, for example, a librarian is paid a pittance (like in the NHS or local council) and in others (like Universities), they are paid quite handsomely- you have to choose where you want to work!

Kassie60

If the Food Inspector found anything untoward then I would be held responsible. My job title is Canteen Manager. I only have time to make sandwiches and rolls because I work alone and there just wouldn't be the time to do cooked meals. My hygiene rating is 5.

soolin

Kassie60 wrote: »

Hi, I hope someone will be able to give me some idea of what I should be earning in my job. I live in Somerset and run the works canteen. I'm fully responsible for producing all the food, doing all the shopping, banking, orders, cleaning and hygiene. I cater for approx 50 people for break time and lunch. I cook bacon and sausages and make a range of rolls and sandwiches. I work 35 hours a week and I'm paid £6.94 per hour. I feel I should be paid more but I'm not sure how much would be fair. I've been doing the job for 5 years and never had a pay review.

There is a requirement to earn the national minimum wage- which is currently £6.70 if you are over 21. Other than that there is no other legal minimum requirement.

If you think you are underpaid compared to others doing a similar job in the same area then get some proof- maybe look at job adverts for someone on a similar job scale and if that shows a higher wage take it to your employers to see if they will discuss an increase.

If that doesn't work- then assuming job adverts showed other places offering more- go and apply for those jobs instead.

I live in London and despite the higher cost of living there are an incredibly high number of jobs for unskilled workers offering minimum wage. Looking at catering , there are a couple of local factories wanting people to cover maternity leave who still require a certain level of catering NVQs (I think they are NVQs they talk about certain level diplomas in hygiene and basic catering) who are offering less than £7 an hour for part time work.

soolin

I don't know if this link will stay live- but you can see the range of jobs all starting from national minimum wage:

http://www.caterer.com/JobSeeking/(Catering%20Staff).html


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