adventures in labor and lies
So I finally got the real deal on The Produce Station job. Let's do in an organized manner, shall we...
Job Position Stated:
-"Seasonal Garden Center Team Member"
-In addition to role and responsibilities, this hook appeared: "Other Benefits: The Produce Station offers paid vacation & sick time, medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a 401-K plan after a prescribed period. Employees are also eligible for discounts on purchases made at our store."
FACTS:
-I was told yesterday the "season" for this seasonal job was late April to some time in August.
-A General Manager also explained that health insurance is not avail until after 6 months of employment. As such, Seasonal Employees do not work long enough to qualify for health insurance, thus contradicting original job posting.
-Employee Handbook (dated 1/1/05) does not define Seasonal positions. It does, however, define a Contract Position:
"Contract employees are those who routinely work either a full-time or a part-time schedule and who accept additional compensation in lieu of participation in all but legally mandated benefit programs. The employer offers this category in limited classifications and to limited numbers of employees. Individuals participating in this program must sign waivers of their rights to participate in the benefit programs applicable to regular employees. Service in this category cannot be credited in any way toward any benefit program, even if the employee is later assigned to a benefit-eligible category. A change to or from this category can be accomplished only with the written consent of the employer."
-I was offered $8.50 a hour. That's "additional compensation"??? Minimum wage is $7.40.
-The "Seasonal Employee Contract" does not contain any such waiver regarding benefits. Mainly, the contract demands pre-scheduled vacation requests and waives the right to any other time off that may come up during the course of employment.
-Even if I was kept on after the season ended, my previous labor would not count toward the 6 month waiting period for benefits. Bloody brilliant.
In Conclusion: Working in the sweltering heat under risk of injury, with no benefits or promise of employment after the season. OooooOOOOOooohhhh, why didn't you just say I'd be a migrant worker with no rights?
So no thanks. I'll be taking this to the Dept. of Labor, mmkay.
Job Position Stated:
-"Seasonal Garden Center Team Member"
-In addition to role and responsibilities, this hook appeared: "Other Benefits: The Produce Station offers paid vacation & sick time, medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a 401-K plan after a prescribed period. Employees are also eligible for discounts on purchases made at our store."
FACTS:
-I was told yesterday the "season" for this seasonal job was late April to some time in August.
-A General Manager also explained that health insurance is not avail until after 6 months of employment. As such, Seasonal Employees do not work long enough to qualify for health insurance, thus contradicting original job posting.
-Employee Handbook (dated 1/1/05) does not define Seasonal positions. It does, however, define a Contract Position:
"Contract employees are those who routinely work either a full-time or a part-time schedule and who accept additional compensation in lieu of participation in all but legally mandated benefit programs. The employer offers this category in limited classifications and to limited numbers of employees. Individuals participating in this program must sign waivers of their rights to participate in the benefit programs applicable to regular employees. Service in this category cannot be credited in any way toward any benefit program, even if the employee is later assigned to a benefit-eligible category. A change to or from this category can be accomplished only with the written consent of the employer."
-I was offered $8.50 a hour. That's "additional compensation"??? Minimum wage is $7.40.
-The "Seasonal Employee Contract" does not contain any such waiver regarding benefits. Mainly, the contract demands pre-scheduled vacation requests and waives the right to any other time off that may come up during the course of employment.
-Even if I was kept on after the season ended, my previous labor would not count toward the 6 month waiting period for benefits. Bloody brilliant.
In Conclusion: Working in the sweltering heat under risk of injury, with no benefits or promise of employment after the season. OooooOOOOOooohhhh, why didn't you just say I'd be a migrant worker with no rights?
So no thanks. I'll be taking this to the Dept. of Labor, mmkay.