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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not want to work for the minimum wage?

31 replies

DiamondDoris · 08/05/2011 17:04

Job hunting - okay, only want to work part time, quite prepared to do anything, but everything round here seems to be between £5.93 and £6 ph. I'm 45, (degree etc plus work experience in many fields). I don't won't to devalue myself and think this would be a major step backwards. I just don't think I could get myself motivated for that small amount of money.

What do you think? AIBU? Oh, and I'd need to earn enough for a small mortgage and provide for 2 kids

OP posts:

mumblechum1 · 08/05/2011 17:08

Sounds like you're looking for the wrong sort of job.

If you have good qualifications and experience, shouldn't you be trying for that?

I'm a lawyer and have worked p/t for 19 years now. Whenever I've changed job, I've gone for full time jobs but then when they're offered, negotiated part time hours on the basis that I'm good, I'm fast and I can get through the same amount of work as a full time, less experienced person and they only have to pay me half!

Worth a shot?

TidyDancer · 08/05/2011 17:11

I think it depends on how desperate a situation you are in, how much money you need to survive on (I mean basics and a bit on top), and how much you like the job you are looking at.

Technically, I could work for minimum wage, as DP earns well and we don't have childcare costs (two GPs retired and falling over themselves to do it!), but I would only work for MW if I really loved the job or it was the only thing out there.

Mamaz0n · 08/05/2011 17:11

If working for mimimum wage you would qualify for certain benefits.

Obviously it is dependant upin what jobs you are looking for, but in reality there is a recession on/just happened and jobs are few and far between.

Employers aren't able to offer top salaries for the less skilled positions.

venusandmars · 08/05/2011 17:15

I don't think that how you value yourself necessarily relates to the hourly wage that someone will pay you for working. Whatever your qualifications and experience, if there is no work that requires those particular skills then you need to have some alternative ideas.

You have a choice: work hard, cheerfully and conscientiously in a low paid job, using the experience to learn something new, about yourself, about the world, or about other people that you come into contact with. Value yourself for your principles, set an example to your children. And keep on looking around for something that uses your skills and talents more appropriately, and is better rewarded.

Or don't accept a low paid job, but value yourself by applying your skills in a voluntary capacity.

But if you don't accept a low paid job, feel down about the lack of opportunities, feel that your experience is being wasted by being at home, feel miserable and useless and unwanted, then I think you are devaluing yourself more than in either of the other 2 scenarios.

mumblechum1 · 08/05/2011 17:16

good post venusandmars

nijinsky · 08/05/2011 17:50

I have trouble motivating myself for low pay as well. I was offered some university teaching at a university with a very good reputation and it would have looked good on my c.v., but there was no getting round the fact that it was astonishly low paid, and quite a lot of work for the pay too. Plus commuting time and costs. Hardly seemed worth it.

Thats the trouble with a lot of these low paid jobs - they aren't much easier than some of the better paid ones and unless they are within walking distance, it often doesn't add up financially.

Fine when you are young and/or inexperienced.

fedupandfifty · 08/05/2011 20:08

I agree, Nijinsky. But venus has a valid point - if you are limited in terms of when you can work, you are going to have to accept that opportunities are also going to be limited. Low-wage work is better than none at all, especially in these times. I found cleaning to be a better bet than most things I've tried part-time; I'm a washed-up old teacher too, and the bits of teaching work I got weren't worth the effort, frankly. I'm also driving a taxi, too; far better paid and I get to call the shots most of the time.

I wouldn't have given up my well-paid lecturing job when I had DD if I'd realised how hard it would be to get back in ...seems we can't win whatever we do!!

weebleswobblebutidontfalldown · 08/05/2011 20:35

I earn minimum wage working four evenings a week for a business walking distance from my home, before dc I had a good job with a global company.

After taking the costs for :Childcare for three dc, travel, parking, daily expenses, work clothing, office collections for all sorts of things etc, into account I actually bring in the same money into the home plus I get to spend my days with my children.

I loved my job, but took a minimum wage job with no stress and problems that get left there rather than brought home with me for the benefit of my family.

Where are you looking for jobs? Surely if you're looking on job sites you can put in the parameters of what job you want, what qualifications /skills you have and what you want to earn?

Yabu if you need the money and it would help your situation while you look for something you want to do.

RitaBix · 08/05/2011 21:26

YANBU
The mimimum wage is for immigrants. stick to your guns why should you work for that

Ryoko · 08/05/2011 21:28

The words beggars can't be choosers spring to mind, if you can not find higher paying work then you must get a NMW one or remain on the dole, such is life.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 08/05/2011 21:28

RitaBix... That's so out of order... and very ignorant.

usualsuspect · 08/05/2011 21:28

RitaBix just fuck off go away

RitaBix · 08/05/2011 21:29

usualsuspect
ok this is me fucking off ta ta

Ishani · 08/05/2011 21:30

You need to aim higher, DH spent a year looking for a job at his previous level no luck, then started applying for everything and anything no luck, went back to applying for his previous level and got the first job he interviewed for.
The tide seems to have turned.

Annunziata · 08/05/2011 21:33

The longer you are out of work the harder it would be to get back in. I don't mean to be rude, but surely working for so little will motivate you more?

sunshine624 · 08/05/2011 21:35

Today your lucky to find any job at the moment!

Gooseberrybushes · 08/05/2011 21:36

It's hard to be motivated for low pay but won't you have benefits cut if you turn it down?

cremeeggsbenedict · 08/05/2011 21:36

I think I'd rather work for MW than not work at all tbh. What will you do for income if you're not working? Better to work for minimum wage, and have it topped up by benefits than just stay at home and claim for everything.

I'd also consider where the MW jobs might get you - is it possible to take a low paid job in a large organisation where there is a possibility of progression? That might make it easier to motivate yourself to work for not much ££.

menagerie · 08/05/2011 21:39

No one has yet suggested working for yourself. Your hours, your rates of pay. Look laterally at what you're qualified and skilled to do and then see if you can use those skills to offer a service that is needed in your area. Choose a service that brings in a certain rate of pay way above minimum (e.g. tutoring, technical writing etc.) Or open a franchise in something which has a track record of success. Why work hard at minimum wage to make other people rich when you can work hard to make yourself rich?

lynehamrose · 08/05/2011 21:45

You're a graduate, with experience in a number of fields,shouldnt you be aiming higher?

You dont say much about your background, but if youve been out of work for some time, you may need to take whats offered for the sake of getting back in the workplace. It's much harder to get a job from the position of being unemployed.

Also,if you are going to be picky about only wanting to work certain hours etc then it'll be a lot harder.

at the end of the day, if you have been unemployed for a while, then you're realistically going to have to start somewhere. It's a tough old world out there, and if you don't take a job, someone else will. You need to think long term too - its not just about money in your pocket now, but paying towards a pension etc

furryfury · 08/05/2011 21:46

Have you thought about waiting tables? There are usually jobs available, flexible hours, and although minimum wage, if you work hard you can make a fortune in tips - it got me through college very comfortably. It's true, it's much easier to motivate yourself to work when you're using your skills, but it's pretty demoralising being out of work and skint.

FannyNil · 08/05/2011 22:54

Agree with CremeEggs and furryfury. Would work for MW rather than be out of work, while looking around for something else/aiming to work way up to something better paid. Have just discovered I am not going to lose my job but while it was a possibility I intended to try and get a job waiting tables...

Mutt · 08/05/2011 23:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lesley33 · 09/05/2011 08:08

nijinsky - I did university teaching 1 evening a week. It was very low paid, particularly when you took into account preparation and marking for which I wasn't paid. But I did it for a year as it looks very good on my cv and always sounds impressive when I apply for jobs. Sometimes things are worth doing in spite of the money.

ElsieR · 09/05/2011 08:53

If you have some experience in some areas why don't you look there first?
Years ago I had a job on the MW and got promoted within 3 months. It could be worth working for little pay if there are good prospects where you work.
IMO you are more likely to devalue yourself by not working than by working.

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