Should my son be earning more?

spidercrab · 1 March 2014 at 6:37PM

My son has worked for a large well known department store since leaving school 9 years ago - he is now 27. I am totally amazed that he is still earning the minimum wage - can this be right and does loyalty count for nothing? He does not work on the shop floor (unless covering for absences) but does most of his work behind the scenes. He will do any work they ask him to from setting up tills in the morning to doing painting. Unfortunately the shop covers themselves by giving all the workers the same job title - I think they are store associates or something and I think the job description covers all aspects of shop work. However, I feel my son is somewhat taken advantage of as he is given the responsibility of bringing home the shop keys and opening up the shop in the morning at 7am 6 days a week to let the cleaners in and set up tills etc. I think this responsibility should be recognised in his salary. I know he could always look for another job but he seems to like it there and I believe he is quite well thought of by his peers. He is not a go-getter and plods along quite happily but I just want him to be able to afford to do a bit more with his life as there is no way he is even able to think about moving out of the family home at the moment. Am I being unreasonable in expecting him to be earning more for what he does. I appreciate any comments.

Lokolo · 1 March 2014 at 6:46PM

Why hasn't your son taken it up with the manager?

If he is doing a job role that is above his job description then discuss it with the manager and prove he deserves to be paid more.

spidercrab · 1 March 2014 at 6:51PM

The trouble is with these big stores is that store managers change so regularly that by the time he has got to know them, they are moved on. I think he likes the one there now so I will get him to have a word but I just want him to be armed with a bit of information first. As I said in my post, he is not a go-getter and I think he finds it difficult to actually stand up and be counted.

Takeaway_Addict · 1 March 2014 at 7:50PM

He can all but ask can't he but really he needs to move on to look for progression.

Have you also asked him when he is thinking about moving out, if you're not putting the pressure on either then really wheres the motivation for him to better himself and earn more?

zugzwang · 1 March 2014 at 7:52PM

Is he having regular appraisals? This is a good time to say 'I want to ask about my future with the company'.

He can also be applying for other internal jobs which should get his line manager to think about his contribution.

But I agree that he needs to start looking elsewhere if he wants more money. My guess is he wont want to do this though. Perhaps he has confidence issues and that's something you can help him with?

spidercrab · 1 March 2014 at 8:03PM

Thanks for your comments. I agree with what you are saying, he does need to move on but he does lack confidence. This is a difficult issue to deal with - I used to lack confidence but it is something that improves with age. I will ask him to speak with his manager for an appraisal regarding his salary and job description and see what happens. I am probably being overly sensitive, being his mum but I do think he is being taken advantage of at present.

Kayalana99 · 1 March 2014 at 8:06PM

Thing is with these sort of jobs no matter how much work your son does - he can be replaced, loyalty doesn't count for anything in these sorts of jobs.

nearlyrich · 1 March 2014 at 8:09PM

He is 27 it's really time to let him sort this out for himself don't you think?

spidercrab · 1 March 2014 at 8:21PM

Yes, you are right again, he is old enough to sort himself out but he is living in my house and I can't see him ever standing on his own two feet and getting somewhere of his own. Unfortunately, these days people are afraid to move on because of the job situation - his job may be low paid but it is secure and that is where the problem lies. He is scared to take the big step.

couponqueen123 · 1 March 2014 at 8:33PM

spidercrab wrote: »

Thanks for your comments. I agree with what you are saying, he does need to move on but he does lack confidence. This is a difficult issue to deal with - I used to lack confidence but it is something that improves with age. I will ask him to speak with his manager for an appraisal regarding his salary and job description and see what happens. I am probably being overly sensitive, being his mum but I do think he is being taken advantage of at present.

in my opinion he is too , if hes opening up closing and doing more than other "store associate" then yes i would either write to area manager and store manager and see what happens , explain that yr happy etc

or go see shop manger , i used to work for a bookies and when i passed there test to become a deputy manager i was given a pay rise even thou i became a deputy manger when another shops manager when on holiday illness etc but i worked most day as a girl on the betting till;)

if you dont ask you dnt get and it will be good practice for him , do jobs come up instore for manager he could apply for?

zugzwang · 1 March 2014 at 9:12PM

Lack of confidence can hold people back from feeling fulfilled in all sorts of ways. Unhappy careers, relationships, lives. It's better to tackle this the sooner, the better IMHO.

Perhaps a little tougher love might do him good? A little pressure to get out more? New people, new experiences. Tell him how worried you are perhaps, and he'll respond because of his respect for you.

Night classes in anything that interests him?

Or a course in assertiveness or business skills might be the thing.

Should my son be earning more?

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