Room 101
Attention all readers!!!
I am asking you all to get involved with what I write. By that I mean, giving me your opinions on the subjects I am writing about; also offering me ideas for the subjects I choose to write about.
The reason being……………
I need feedback for my Room 101 posts.
Let me explain the premise of Room 101 posts………………
I’m going to be writing about things I wish to banish from the world because I hate or dislike them.
These Room 101 posts will be inspired by subjects, and these subjects can cover anything, basically anything goes. So for example subjects could be; ‘Modern Life’, ‘Going Out’, ‘People Who Are Happy’, ‘Stereotypes’, ‘Banks’ (and so on and so forth).
Whatever subject is chosen by my readers, I will then write a post about it and state what it is I hate or dislike about this subject.
Then you, the reader, can decide if I have made a persuasive enough argument to actually banish what annoys me, to Room 101.
Does this make sense??? I hope so………………….!
So, these posts won’t work unless I gain your feedback and your involvement in choosing the subjects I will then write about.
To kick off these Room 101 posts I have chosen the first subject; ‘Employment’.
What I hate about Employment is the minimum wage.
I have always felt that for some employment areas, minimum wage has worked wonders. It has helped increase employee rights, working standards, prevented ‘slave labour’ and helped people to climb up the ladder of life. In general though, I feel it has actually suppressed the growth of wages.
My reasoning for stating this is that most employers, especially in the UK, feel happy enough (cheekily so), to pay minimum wage regardless of the job requirements. Whether cleaner or manger it is minimum wage all round! More so now than ever before!
Employers use the minimum wage as though employees should be thankful for the pittance they are being offered, often to work within very skilled jobs.
Just lately I was offered a position as a Researcher for £13,500 a year. Granted this is more than the minimum wage (in the UK it is £6.50 hourly rate), but in comparison to what I have been earning, it is disgusting and criminal. Basically I feel that for £13,500 a year I would be selling all of my skills, knowledge, qualifications, experience and expertise short; the employer would be making one Hell of a profit in securing me as an employee for £13,500 a year (I however wouldn’t be)!
Unfortunately, at the moment, my employment choices have become limited. I am basically stuck between the rock and hard place. Either I take what is being offered or face having no work, which isn’t an option.
Employers are aware of this conundrum facing employees. Therefore, they are happy to exploit the situation and the workforce by keeping wages low, never offering wage rises; not even the customary 1% a year!
I therefore believe that the minimum wage has destroyed good pay scales and the ability for people like me to move up the pay grades. The minimum wage has become a one size fits all wage, and it isn’t. If I worked in McDonalds then sure, minimum wage would be expected, but being an employee within a professional business environment, in a highly skilled job that requires many qualifications and years of experience, no I don’t think so!
Personally I am an advocate of the living wage, not the scrabbling about in the dirt, can’t afford to live wage that minimum wage encourages.
BUT, what do you think?
Now it is your turn to tell me if you think the minimum wage should be consigned to Room 101.
Also, any ideas for other topics would be gladly welcomed!!
The idea ‘Room 101’ sounds awesome.
You are absolutely correct on how the growth in wages has stopped because of minimum wage concept. This concept works wonders only in some areas of the industry. Honestly, this is the first time I have read something abouy minimum wages. Hadn’t given it a thought my whole life as I’m still a student. But anyway, that’s an apt topic you chose for Room 101.
You know what I really want you to write about? Please write and banish all the wanna bes from the planet. They are sooo annoying. I just wanna know why. Hate them. And if not banish, then how can I just NOT come across these people?
Thanks very much! I hoped these posts would get people more involved with what I am writing and planning to write.
Thanks for for taking the time to read my post and for sharing your views on this; I truly appreciate it as always! I am happy I managed to highlight this for you, as it will no doubt be a future concern for you. Good luck with your studies!!
Nice idea for next topic, I agree with you – I dislike these types of people very much. So, I will be writing about why next time!!
Thanks again, Bex
Nice rant and I agree with you. It is appalling. Lucky for I am a self employed pharmacist and I can earn well enough but I haven’t forgotten my year as a trainee. I would work for 8 hours a day and wouldn’t have a chance to breath for a single moment and I was being paid a mere £6.40 or so an hour.
I felt I was being abused because of having no other choice but to deal with it. At least I knew I could leave after a year. My colleague unfortunately needed the job and had to accept her fate despite being over worked and treated like a dog. And like you said, our employer treated us like he was doing us a favor, like even throwing us a bone was too good for us.
How despicable people can be for money… Its disgusting. People should pay for quality work. It is only the right thing to do.
Thanks for taking the time to read my post, and reply with your own experiences of it. I truly appreciate your involvement.
Yes, so many people are either stuck with this from the get go in their employment situation, or, face the fact that somehow their skills have been devalued because of an employer driven economy. It really makes me furious! I hope that I will find something that matches the wages to my skills, expertise and so on, but these jobs are the most sought after and applied for! Its a vicious circle, but I am not one for accepting some type of dictated fate that would allow me to even think that my skills and so on are not worth good money! I refuse to give up and just accept the status quo!! Yes, being self employed is a good option. I was self employed here in Madrid, and it was easier to set my price and get the work. In a few weeks I am moving to another country though, and self employment in my industry/business won’t be as easy (for various reasons).
Yes agree, employers should pay for quality work and I feel the Government should enforce a law to ensure this happens.
Thanks again, appreciate your input.
Bex
I liked the whole concept of 101 blog and yes reader’s feedback will be definitely helpful. I love your blogs for the kind of topics u choose . some are really motivational. And yeah abt this post I believe in doing what I really love to do. Minimum wages just follows.
Loved ur post. Keep me inspired dearest friend
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and for leaving me a comment. I appreciate it!!
I am pleased that you find the concept of Room 101 interesting, and hopefully thought provoking. Yes, reader feedback is essential to receive the full benefit of these posts; they are solely designed for responses and interaction.
Thanks, and I hope I will keep you inspired.
Bex
Modern life