Unfair and infuriating

[blas]

That's a good idea you got there. We'll all put in our two weeks and come back in a month as temps Except anyone who has a title will lose it

It's actually not as easy as you guys think it is to get rid of temps. Sure, they can walk out and quit on their own accord, and yes, they are pretty much on thin ice from day one, but when it comes to disciplinary action, it all has to be done via the temp agency. We have to send documentation to them and they talk with them and then we see if they improve. So people like my one trainee, we have to wait it out. If after a couple times it doesn't improve, well then the boss can call up the temp agency and say "We don't need X anymore."

[TNT]

I've never seen temps get paid more than regular employees... it could well be that the temp agency is having big trouble finding enough qualified people to fulfill its contract and are taking a bite out of its profits. Or, maybe the actual company ponied up extra money to attract better temps. Who knows?

At one job I had, I made exactly as much as the temps, except I had benefits (although, since we were an outsourced call center, we all made a lot less than regular company employees). Another time, when I was a temp, I made a few dollars less an hour. And, in my one factory job as a temp, I made less than half what the regular employees made.

[blas]

Well if this helps, remember the turnover thread, we've been hiring every week since July. Somewhere between 10-30 people a week. Most quit within the first week to the first month.

[Sylvia727]

It's none of the companies' business if employees talk about their wages. If an employee gets pissed off and leaves, then either they just lost a bad employee or it's their fault for not paying a competitive wage. Disciplining an employee for discussing wages just reinforces the notion that there is dirt to hide. Everyone who hears that policy will know that the company is ashamed of something, and I suspect some/most of them will start looking for a job that has a fairer working enviroment.

[bainsidhe]

I agree with others that employees shouldn't ask other people's wages and I agree the employees have every right to be ticked off if temps are being paid more, for whatever reason. However, depending on where your pay scale is at, letting others know your wage only invites trouble. A few years back in my fast food days, I was a shift supervisor and made $6.50 an hour. They were trying to hire overnights and posted on the markqee (did I spell that right) that they hired up to $7.00 an hour. I can't describe how angry this made me and I managed to get a raise out of the deal, especially when I told them they should put me to overnights if that was they only way I was going to make the same as a regular employee.

On another note, I currently work part time in a grocery/department store as a cashier. I was hired at $8.30 an hour, which I'm sure was partly due to experience, but was also due to the hiring manager. Even after NY state raising minimum wage (and my store raising hiring minimums, which have always been more than minimum wage), most cashiers start off at $7.40 an hour. I don't discuss my salary, because it is no one's business and I consider myself fortunate. Fair? Maybe not.

Blas, if everyone is as upset as you say, then you need to go as a group and address this with management so you can be paid what you're worth. Expect some backlash, but it is important you, as a group, press your point and remain civil. Throwing a fit to management is unprofessional and can get you fired. That's my two cents, anyway.