tanaise | Job Frets

Meh. On the one hand, this job has work for me through the end of the summer, they say. On the other hand, I'm taking home less than $300 a week, which means rent takes over two weeks' worth of paychecks, and my bills take up a full week's worth, plus about half of what's left over from the third week. I'd end up with about $150 a month, if that, for transportation, eating anywhere other than at the house, my $100 a month allergy medicine, etc. So I'm already in the red, and I'm working full time. It's not that I mind making very little money, it's just that at that much money, I can't even afford health care once I've worked enough to qualify for it. I can't afford much of anything, and it's not as though I have very expensive tastes. If this job was paying 12.50-15 an hour I'd be deliriously happy, basically.

But I don't know what my options are. I don't know if I can ask to be making more money at this job. I know I'm using skills that are worth more than $10 an hour--they're having me use HTML and XML, I'm working with Dreamweaver, Photoshop, etc. I've never worked for a temp agency before, so I don't know how anything works. Meh. I really like working here. I don't mind the work, there's enough variety that I've at least got something more interesting to look forward to after the boring stuff (which is pretty much one of my main criterias for a job). I like the people I work with, and the people that I haven't worked with but associate with, so it's all good. Except that I'm going to go into debt at this pay rate, and my credit cards are already fussed about my balances. Meh.

Maybe I could sell something fancy. If only I had something fancy written.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Did you get this job through the agency? You can always ask the agency to work at getting you a raise... or another similar job that will pay you more.

Also, if you get to the point where you're comfortable talking casually about it, at the end of a set of instructions from your supervisor, as you're leaving to go back to your desk, you could try "Oh, and I meant to ask, am I in a trial period right now? I was just wondering if my paycheck might increase after two or three months." And when he says it never occurred to him to check what you're being paid against the market rate, close with "Oh, well, thought I'd ask - student loans, you know." and smile and breeze off to do a lovely job on your work. Two-three soft mentions are less embarassing than asking formally, and I suspect they'd work at least as well.

But I'm really not working here. I'm a temp, so they have nothing directly to do with what I get paid. If I worked here, I a) would be making more than $10 an hour without benefits and b) would know how to kick up a fuss about my money.

And so far as school loans are concerned, $65 a month is really the least of my problems. :)

Are you signed up with more than one temp agency?

In any case, calling the agency and telling them that the job looks like it could continue for the foreseeable future, but you're not sure you want to stay because you can't make it on that rate of pay, and know that other jobs with your skillset pay more. Tell them you really need $x/hour to make ends meet now that you have housing and know what it costs. Tell them you hadn't realized how much more expensive Boston is, because it's VERY expensive- that's a fact. if you're signed up with another agency, mention that you're askign them to look for something that pays more for you. If you're not, and they seem loathe to raise your rate, mention that you like working with them and understand completely, but you guess you'll have to look for other options since this is just not enough $$$.

They want to keep you at that job. It's easier. They are skimming a LOT of money from the palce you're working, and can afford to raise your rate. They will consider doing this if they figure it's raise your rate or lose the gig.

You can also have the employers put some pressure on. mention how much you like the job and the workplace, but unfortunately you're not sure if you can stay; you're not getting enough per hour to make ends meet and you know you can get more for the skills you're using. If they like your work they may well tell the agency to raise your rate rather than lose you- AND probably pay more for your replacement, since the agency now knows they need pricier skills. :)

I'd leave the latter for the future, and work on the former. You're really sorry that this is happening, but...

Good luck!

These are tricks I used as a temp, and ones that J's used as a contractor or known people who have. If you're reluctant but firm they don't get their backs up but will- after trying to get you to cave but failing- usually give in.

Job Frets

no subject

money frets

Re: money frets

no subject