This week the company that I work for made a big deal out of having ALL staff sign a legal document to acknowledge that we've all read the new Code of Ethics guidelines for the company. I read and signed like all the rest.
Now I have a dilemma, both ethical and personal in nature. Personal because it happens to bug the shit outta me.
So, I shall lead you on a tour of my dilemma and than ask for your opinion of what should be done.
This way please:
At work this week the Store Manager put up a sign saying there will be a MANDATORY staff meeting Sunday @ 6:30pm. Its well known that staff do not get paid for their time, and aren't expected to complain about it...
And if you know me you know that I hate being told what to do. I'm torn however. I really like and respect my immediate boss; If it had been his meeting he'd have !asked! and asked nicely. And I'd have gone, annoyed, but without complaint.
But all we were given was a sign at the bottom of the stairwell, just a sign... MANDATORY but not paid. They might feed us. They'll try to make it fun. But we had all better BE THERE OR ELSE!
A part of me wants to make a stink. A part of me doesn't want to cause trouble for my immediate boss. [Hereafter known as IB]
I asked IB today if we'd be paid for our time. (I wanted to double check and hear it from the horses mouth, so to speak.) He said no. I could see he was worried that I am about to make a stink.
It's not the money, its more the principle of the thing. I work for a major chain retailer with hundreds of stores acrosss Canada and the US. Plus they want me to pay for my own transportation!
IB said if I gave him a receit he'd give me the money I spend on transit... but that's not the point.
And just how does one get a reciet on the subway!?!
This brings us to the viewer perticipation part of our show:
What do you think? Do I Growl but let it go and just attend the stupid meeting? Should I say something but go and let them provide me with the $5.50 CAN total required for my travel expensives? We have one of those anonymous box thingy's, should I just type out my annoyance and put it in?
(Sure they'll know it's me, and I'll know it's me, but its a way around an out and out confrontation...)
Ontario's Labour Laws are on my side in this matter. I even called the toll free number to be sure. If I'm required to attend this meeting than they are legally required to pay me.
So do I go and just put a claim into the Ontario Labour Board to dispute the fact that I wasn't paid for my time? It's a lot of work just to make a max of just over $20)
The new Ethics guideline lists ways for me to contact someone if I feel I'm being treated unethically. I can do this annonymously or not.
It's not just me though, its every staff member, even IB who ought to be spending his day off with his family not back at the store for a meeting he isn't paid for.
How frigging ethical is it to make someone work but intimidate them into being okay with the fact that they won't get paid for it?
This really is bugging me and I really don't know what I want to do, or what I should do. At least, however, I am aware that what I WANT to do and what I SHOULD do are two complete and seperate things and may not be the same answer for both.
So lets hear what you folks think I should do, or shouldn't do, or what you would do in my shoes.
Kim
Now I have a dilemma, both ethical and personal in nature. Personal because it happens to bug the shit outta me.
So, I shall lead you on a tour of my dilemma and than ask for your opinion of what should be done.
This way please:
At work this week the Store Manager put up a sign saying there will be a MANDATORY staff meeting Sunday @ 6:30pm. Its well known that staff do not get paid for their time, and aren't expected to complain about it...
And if you know me you know that I hate being told what to do. I'm torn however. I really like and respect my immediate boss; If it had been his meeting he'd have !asked! and asked nicely. And I'd have gone, annoyed, but without complaint.
But all we were given was a sign at the bottom of the stairwell, just a sign... MANDATORY but not paid. They might feed us. They'll try to make it fun. But we had all better BE THERE OR ELSE!
A part of me wants to make a stink. A part of me doesn't want to cause trouble for my immediate boss. [Hereafter known as IB]
I asked IB today if we'd be paid for our time. (I wanted to double check and hear it from the horses mouth, so to speak.) He said no. I could see he was worried that I am about to make a stink.
It's not the money, its more the principle of the thing. I work for a major chain retailer with hundreds of stores acrosss Canada and the US. Plus they want me to pay for my own transportation!
IB said if I gave him a receit he'd give me the money I spend on transit... but that's not the point.
And just how does one get a reciet on the subway!?!
This brings us to the viewer perticipation part of our show:
What do you think? Do I Growl but let it go and just attend the stupid meeting? Should I say something but go and let them provide me with the $5.50 CAN total required for my travel expensives? We have one of those anonymous box thingy's, should I just type out my annoyance and put it in?
(Sure they'll know it's me, and I'll know it's me, but its a way around an out and out confrontation...)
Ontario's Labour Laws are on my side in this matter. I even called the toll free number to be sure. If I'm required to attend this meeting than they are legally required to pay me.
So do I go and just put a claim into the Ontario Labour Board to dispute the fact that I wasn't paid for my time? It's a lot of work just to make a max of just over $20)
The new Ethics guideline lists ways for me to contact someone if I feel I'm being treated unethically. I can do this annonymously or not.
It's not just me though, its every staff member, even IB who ought to be spending his day off with his family not back at the store for a meeting he isn't paid for.
How frigging ethical is it to make someone work but intimidate them into being okay with the fact that they won't get paid for it?
This really is bugging me and I really don't know what I want to do, or what I should do. At least, however, I am aware that what I WANT to do and what I SHOULD do are two complete and seperate things and may not be the same answer for both.
So lets hear what you folks think I should do, or shouldn't do, or what you would do in my shoes.
Kim
Go Leafs Go!
