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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder about pay

59 replies

Beatendownbylife · 12/04/2024 22:32

Just thinking about this recently. My nail technician earns £45 for an hour an a halfs work and is self employed. I appreciate she will have to pay for equipment but works out of her own house so doesn’t have to pay to rent a seat in a salon.

She openly stated that she took home more money last year than her brother who is a junior doctor and her mum who is a nurse.

Aibu to think society has really got it’s priorities wrong when nail technicians are getting paid more than someone who may potentially save a life.

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 12/04/2024 22:39

One rate is set by the government as the largest healthcare employer in the country. Those employees have employment rights, infrastructure to enable them to do their jobs, sick pay, paid holidays, excellent pension schemes and possibly other benefits I’m not aware of (probably some life assurance as part of pension, blue light discounts).

the other runs her own business with associated risks and costs and charges what individuals are willing to pay in a highly competitive market (in less than a quarter of a mile from my house there are at least 4 places I can get my nails done)

Original poster
Beatendownbylife · 12/04/2024 22:38

Yes sorry i appreciate that this is reflective of all public sector workers

OP posts:
DeedlessIndeed · 12/04/2024 22:37

If she is self employed I suppose she has to cover sick leave and holiday pay. Also the taxes etc.

However I do agree with your overall point that some very essential professions are chronically underpaid. Goodness knows what's going to happen with the hiring issues in key sectors such as care, education and health.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 12/04/2024 22:36

Right, but who sets the pay scale of health care professionals?

TeenLifeMum · 12/04/2024 22:36

Footballers earn shitloads and society loves celebrities over scientists. It’s depressing what is deemed important by the world.

BettyShagter · 12/04/2024 22:35

Beatendownbylife · 12/04/2024 22:34

I would argue the work of a doctor/ nurse is more important and therefore more deserving of the higher salary?

Well it's a pointless argument because one is a private business.

Original poster
Beatendownbylife · 12/04/2024 22:34

I would argue the work of a doctor/ nurse is more important and therefore more deserving of the higher salary?

OP posts:
mrsbyers · 12/04/2024 22:34

She will have no pension contribution and no sick pay consideration though which makes a difference - £30 an hour is good pay though

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 12/04/2024 22:33

The professions aren't really comparable though, are they?