To think that lots of people don't understand just how many jobs pay minimum wage.

[TravellingSpoon]

And how many jobs they would consider worthy of higher wages do not get them.

I am a support worker, and we were talking about this in our staff room this morning. Many of us have had similar experiences, people who cannot believe how little we get paid, or that we would do it for such a small amount of money. And we get 19p above the current minimum wage. Similarly with a couple of my colleagues who have backgrounds in nursery.

When my son in law worked security he had to work 12 hours on 12 off, minimum wage, pay for his SIA badge, pay for his uniform. He guarded important building/people whist half asleep.

Most minimum wage jobs are because they do not require any specialist knowledge that cannot be trained within a few days.

Have you read the thread as many posters have pointed out that this blatantly is not the case, or they are only paid pennies over the nmw.

I think what you say is true, so many people don't know the reality of it. And assume that minimum wage jobs are done by those without skills, aspirations or drive. It's certainly not the case in many min wage jobs.
I work nights, and have quite a lot of responsibility for someone 'unskilled'. Many will say "You'll be on good money though, working nights and for what you do" and disbelieve that actually I'm not, only pence above NMW. People I know in jobs with good benefits packages are also astounded that we don't have guaranteed hours (0 hours contracts are industry standard) don't get enhanced payments for unsociable hours, don't get company sick pay only SSP (and moan because it's 'their' tax paying for that) and get absolutely nothing in the form of extras. They think people like me are just whining. They don't realise that so, so many people get the bare minimum that an employer has to give by law, and some will even try and avoid that, knowing that there's not an awful lot will be done in reality. A family member was not paid for months on end, paid a bit here, a bit there with the employer saying they had temporary cash flow issues. They looked for another job, went to the job centre, contacted ACAS - ultimately the family pulled together and supported while they left and then looked for a new job. Were told by job centre that they'd not be entitled to anything from them if they left because they'd be seen as giving up work for no reason. Was told to chase the missing wages through the courts - with what funds when you're not getting paid? Very different the other way round if you don't work, you don't get paid, face disciplinary action and likely get sacked into the bargain, especially if under 2 years service.
So while stuff like that happens and is allowed to, nothing will ever change. Employers are actively encouraged to exploit workers in favour of the profit margin.

Most minimum wage jobs are because they do not require any specialist knowledge that cannot be trained within a few days.

Have you read any of the posts on here?
No they aren't. Many require a lot of training and special skills yet still pay crap wages. You seem to have a very low opinion of who you think gets nmw while being utterly clueless yourself.

Employers are actively encouraged to exploit workers in favour of the profit margin.

This ^
My last place as stated happily exploited us but not only them but the local council also happily exploited us as it was a council run building.

I have and NVQ 2 and 3 in health and social care, I am dementia trained. I am also a first aider (3 days training) certificates in medicines, end of life and common medical conditions. I am sure there are lots more, i have, also we do manditory training every year.

And to say ppl on nmw are not trained.

I’m currently temping on £12 an hour part time as I’m a student. I’m an “administrator” but basically being paid to sit in an office in case the phone rings and box up old files for archiving. Easy money basically.

I’ve seen Christmas temp jobs advertised for £8.21 and supervisor jobs for £8.60. Teaching assistant jobs pay £9.40 which I would quite like to do - but working 25 hours a week for less pay would give me an extra £8 a week! It’s not worth it.

vodkaredbullgirl - I think care workers do a hard and underpaid job and they deserve respect and more money. But a couple of NVQs and certificates / mandatory training courses possibly done online do not mean that a role is highly skilled. I have a first aid certificate as do many people and got an extra £40 a month for being first aid trained in one job. It doesn’t mean that I have a rare skill or can do something that most people cannot.

I mean all that very nicely! I’m sure you do a fantastic job and it’s not something that I could do.

basketof kittens none of it was done online, all handwritten.

Maybe try doing my job, instead of sitting on your backside all day.

oh and all of this ive done without getting extra money.

Admin jobs at 18k a year want:

“The role will require a range of office skills, including use of various software packages such as Excel and Word, as well as email, diary systems, CRM, Google Maps and more.”

“Our ideal candidate will have experience of collating project delivery data to agreed deadlines, have extensive knowledge of Microsoft Excel and a sound understanding of quality assurance and impact reporting.

Experience:

Administration: 2 years (Required)
Microsoft Excel: 1 year (Preferred)
Payroll: 1 year (Preferred)“

In the NHS, a band 3 starting on £18800 is now an admin team leader!

vodkaredbullgirl - no need to be so rude.

Activities person in a care home here. Minimum wage, yet expected to deal with social services/ p.o.a holders/ solicitors/council designators/ compliance and cqc. As well as caring for the mental health of the elderly and infirm. No training.
Everyone thinks I just play with bits of coloured paper and am the resident butlins red coat. They don’t have a clue.

If you dont like it, dont dish it out.

Some retail work certainly is skilled and pressured Ask anyone who worked for Boxclever (the company that was Granada and Radio Rentals combined)

Yes,I have done both my NVQ 2 and 3, various training including Behaviour management.

In my role, you have to be skilled or you run the risk of being hurt, putting service users, yourself and colleagues in danger. A couple of days training would be dangerous.

Tttigress- Lots of ‘supervisors’ are complete areseholes only doing it for the power they have!

But a couple of NVQs and certificates / mandatory training courses possibly done online do not mean that a role is highly skilled
Don't be so damm dismissive.

Have you any idea how much work.is involved in getting an nvq?
Do you.have any idea of the skills needed to look after for example the elderly or infirm patient? How to cope with dementia in all its forms from the constant screeching to full on aggression or crying because they cannot recognise their own family or don't know why they can't go home? Never mind the personal care, terminal care, dealing with falls, other illnesses, moving and handling issues, encouraging independence. It's not a one size fits all job.
(What about dealing with residents families who are often angry or distressed themselves. )
Looking after people isn't something you can teach in a day or two. It takes knowledge and patience and compassion and bloody resilience. And many places expect plenty training sometimes in your own time without paying you any more for it (lucky for you)

There are many many jobs that take skill and training and employers expect more and more for peanuts. Someone has done all the hard work in.years of work experience and training yet they expect yo pay peanuts for it. I have been.job hunting lately and the lists of requirements for applicants is mind boggling.

You are fed right op a lot of people clearly haven't a clue.

If employers couldn’t get the staff they would have to pay more. They are inundated with applicants hence they pay minimum wages or as close to as they can.

Teaching assistant jobs get a hundred applicants per role as mums with children at the school want a job to fit around school hours with holidays off. TA jobs don’t pay well at all but they are never short of applicants. Yet schools where I live cannot get qualified teachers, a role that requires either an undergraduate degree or a PGCE. This one school in particular had 100 TA applicants yet nobody applied for the teaching jobs!

The only way out of this is education. Not everybody can afford to retrain or go back to university. Some people simply cannot study at a higher level. And even with a degree/Master’s/PhD or specialist qualifications there is no guarantee that this will lead to a well paying job.

Took me years to get where I am now, wouldnt change it for the world.

This book is an eye opener

amazon.co.uk/Hired-Months-Undercover-Low-Wage-Britain/dp/1786490161/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=hired&qid=1570223158&sprefix=hired&sr=8-1]]

If employers couldn’t get the staff they would have to pay more. They are inundated with applicants hence they pay minimum wages or as close to as they can.

Jesus wept you really don't have a clue do you?
People need jobs no.matter what the pay is.
Do you understand the JSA system? If you DON'T spend a set amount of time per week actively seeking jobs and DON'T apply for every one that's reasonably suitable your JSA is STOPPED.
If you don't take a job with 16hrs or more you can't get tax credits to.help you pay your bills. So you have to take something no matter how crap the wages are.
You really live in a black and white world

The gov has stitched up your average working person who is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

For online teaching you have to have a degree, and have completed an expensive 1 month training course. You pay for your own computer equipment and broadband and the costs associated with working from home. You are not paid for lesson preparation time. It is a zero hours job, so no guaranteed work. If a student doesn't attend the lesson you don't get paid. If you are good you get the chance to teach senior executives at top international companies. The pay is slightly above NMW, as long as you get near perfect student feedback.

Willow I dont think she has a clue at all.

Basketofkittens

I think the problem is is that many assume care work to be washing and dressing someone and that is all.

As a support worker my role includes: cooking, cleaning, feeding, personal care, medication administering, medication storing, medication ordering. I have to know about mental health, special needs, physical disabilities, substance misuse, I have to have knowledge in the mental capacity act, DOLS.
I have to be alert on any form of abuse from DV to radicalisation, I have to deal with self harm, suicides, violence, sexual assault. I have to deal with threatening behaviour towards myself and others but also restraint and self defence. I have to know first aid, how to spot the signs of sepsis, Uti's, seizures, withdrawl.
I then have to know how to write up risk assessments, incident reports, care plans, meeting notes. I have to know how to deal with abusers, victims, bereavement, social workers, police, the local councils, doctors ect. I have to know how to wash and dress a dead body, i have to know about customs and religions. I have to know about wills, benefits and power of attorneys. I also have to know how to communicate with non verbal, special needs, deaf
I have to know how to help individuals with physio, how to help people facing discrimination, how to change catheters, peg feeding.

All of that plus more I need skills in plus I have to be qualified in dealing with it all. I have had countless training and courses over the years but regardless, it is still classed as a minimum wage role.