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Admin Assistant Finds Out Target Employees Earn More Than Her $23/Hour Salary And Makes The Decision To Leave Her Law Firm
Interview With Author
As much as we would like for people to have equal income and be equally financially stable, the world doesn’t work that way. Some professions require an education, while others don’t, some professions are more dangerous than others and some of them come with a bigger responsibility than the rest, so the ones that require more are compensated more generously.
But even that’s not always the case. Reddit user glasswitch88 who works as an administrative assistant at a law firm shared her interaction with her boss when she said to her that Target employees earn more than her.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
Law firm admin assistant shares how indifferent her boss was to the news that she earns less than a Target employee
Image credits: peggydavis66 (not the actual photo)
Besides being an administrative assistant in a law firm, the Original Poster (OP) is also a single mom to a cat and she has to make her furry child’s life better. She heard that Target raised their starting wage to $24.
On Target’s official website they said, “The new approach will apply to hourly team members working in Target stores, supply chain facilities and headquarters locations, positioning Target as a wage leader in every market where it operates.” The minimum wage will still be $15, but some positions will have a higher starting salary.
The admin assistant heard the news that some Target employees are offered $24 an hour when she earns less than that
Image credits: glasswitch88
The problem is that the OP earns about $23 an hour in a law firm in New York, which is less than a Target employee would. She mentioned it to her boss and the boss’ reaction was that it doesn’t matter because if they had to choose between working at a Target and working at a law firm, they would prefer an office job.
In one of the comments, glasswitch88 explained that the company surely can afford to pay her a better salary. “This firm makes millions. I have no savings and haven’t even touched my student debt. But nooooo I should be proud to work here… oh and our profits went up last year. And I got a whopping 2% raise.”
Image credits: glasswitch88
But the admin assistant didn’t think this was a good outlook because she was required to have a degree, but that didn’t reflect in her wage. It’s not that the Target employees don’t deserve a proper salary, it’s that the law firm should pay more and notice the changes in the market like Target does.
Bored Panda reached out to glasswitch88 and she said, “To be clear, I do want Target to make $24 an hour. I know it’s mostly a PR piece and only for certain NYC locations (and the veracity of that is not even clear). However, I wanted to just use the article as a way of showing my boss that times are changing and it might be time to up the base salary of support staff. If we want to attract the right employees and we require sterling resumes (people with amazing GPAs from Ivy League schools), we can’t be paying them the same wages as Target.”
The boss didn’t seem to be that concerned because working at a law firm gives more prestige
Image credits: glasswitch88
It is fair that the 6th most expensive city in the world to live in would apply the new salary range in their Target stores. The OP herself opens up about her finances in one of the comments: “I live in a two bedroom apartment that’s $2200 so I pay $1100 a month, plus $100 a week in groceries (yay NYC prices) and then $200 a month in electric/gas/internet. I make about $2400 a month. So yeah. Saving is not happening.”
Another thing that the OP revealed was that she makes the same amount as the manager, but that didn’t console her as then she found out that most admins make $20k more than her.
She revealed to us that the job itself isn’t that stressful and her responsabilities include “a lot of non-billable behind-the-scenes work. She answers the phones, fields guests, and does a lot of paperwork for high-powered clients.” However, the workplace has a few problems that need to be solved, “everyone is underpaid, especially by NYC standards. When we are talking about normal rent being $2,000 for a two-bedroom, a $40,000 salary is about half a month’s paycheck. But I do know a lot of folks are in the same boat. A lot of us also only got a 3% raise which doesn’t account for inflation being around 7%.”
The admin assistant also remembers how she had to take on some extra work, but she wasn’t compensated for it, “When Covid hit I was asked to take on a lot of extra responsibilites. Basically before I was just admin, now I’m admin and HR. There was no additional pay, in fact we all got our salaries cut. We have since been reimbursed and are back to normal but I didn’t get any kind of bonus or pay increase. I’m still doing the job of two people with no end in sight.”
The OP pointed out that a law firm’s salary should compete with salaries in the same work field and not with Target
Image credits: glasswitch88
That is why she decided to leave and managed to find a position that pays $10k more
Image credits: glasswitch88
There is a brighter side to the story, because the OP just accepted a a position at an asset management company as an admin assistant for nearly double her current salary, which just proves that it is possible to find a better job if you dislike the one you’re currently at.
The point of the post was to talk about the unfair wages supporting staff gets because they are important pieces in the whole company picture and because they are humans, they deserve to be paid so they can live a dignified life.
Also, the problem is not Target raising their wages, but law firms being compared to a department store’s wages. A competitive salary means competitive in the same field of work and not in general. The OP mentioned that she will bring this up again before her last day at work.
Image credits: glasswitch88
What do you think about administrative assistants earning less than a Target employee? Do you think that the conversation about minimum wage being too low should be louder? Share your opinions with us in the comments!
People in the comments thought that Target’s offer is very decent and they would take it
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WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
As I have always said, and got downvoted for it; We should all be like mercenaries. We work for the highest bidder, always looking out for ourselves and never loyal. If you can earn $1 per hour more somewhere else, move. Because your employer is going to fire you if they can find someone who is willing to do your job for 50 cents less per hour.
Michael Diaz 3 years ago
That's exactly the attitude to take. I wouldn't bounce for $1 more but I have for 5-15k more. My boss once asked if I was looking and my answer was simply "Always".
Load More Replies...
Julia H 3 years ago
I am so sick of people playing the blame game on "Boomers". We are not all totally loyal to our lifelong employers; don't always stay in a marriage because our parents did and little of the crap spewed by pissy whiners that all society ills leads back to the aging generation. Please knock it off, @efficiencyopen4546, personally I'm sick of hearing it.
Jaqi Hegland 3 years ago
100% right, but at the same time, they need to stop blaming millennials for destroying the economy by not buying much and living with their parents. The problem isn't the generation, it's individuals. Demand your own boss be accountable. No matter what their age.
Load More Replies...
Cidalia Martins 3 years ago (edited)
Legal assistant and paralegal positions have a high turnover rate. Many do not stay until retirement. I worked at law firms. Besides the pay being a lot less than I had anticipated, even for a newbie out of school, the stress levels were through the roof. I quit it altogether. I went to work in retail for $1.50 less and a lot less stress. I’m now working on launching my own business this year. Some diplomas aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.
Julia H 3 years ago
I wish you the best of luck. I hope your idea takes off.
Load More Replies...
NsG 3 years ago
"People would rather work at a law firm", because they are under the (apparently incorrect) assumption that it pays more than Target! Because (rightly or wrongly, mostly wrongly) the general view is that retail is not a high-paying career option, certainly not in the same way a *law firm* is viewed. Once again, we have a boss who skirts sooooo close to the point, but misses at the last second and remains willfully blind and ignorant.
Rebecca Bamford 3 years ago
I take care of mentally challenged and mentally ill adults in a group home. We do all care, hygiene, doctors appointments, and meds. Basically nursing duties without the degree. I am currently only making 14.85 an hour. It’s pitiful to only get paid so little for taking care of human beings who can’t take care of themselves . Many are often violent. We are currently in contract negotiations and they want to take MORE from us! We as employees are looking at places like target. If we aren’t going to be valued at our current employer? Then we’ll move on. People need a LIVING WAGE. We need to look our for ourselves. We need to get paid what we are worth. We all have bills and as one commentator put it, your bills don’t care where you work.
Phyzzi 3 years ago
There are some complications, but you might check out something like Care.com. Not sure what your wage laws and CoL would set you at but it's possible to get a fairly stable job earning $20+/hr if you have experience and spend some time "moonlighting" to get in-app recommendations before you try to go full time, and you get to spend time with just a few people getting to know them well instead of bouncing around and answering to a manager that cares more about business than people.
Load More Replies...
Marcellus the Third 3 years ago
The comment near the end “if scooping (poo) in the zoo paid 300K I’d do it” — hahaha zoos are famous for underpaying and abusing their staff, as thousands line up that absolutely dream to work with (insert fav animal).
JazzyfromtheNati 3 years ago
I think you missed the point, it def wasn't about zoo's and scooping poop
Load More Replies...
Salt Water 3 years ago
… the Original Poster (OP) is also a single mom to a cat and she has to make her furry child’s life better… Does she really think that? Like she has to take it to school, buy it clothes, celebrate birthdays and start a college fund?
anthony moring 3 years ago (edited)
Don't have to worry about the college fund. OP has a natural cathlete who will definitely get a colarship. I'll see meowself out.
Load More Replies...
Memere 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, sure - Target is paying 15-24 $/hour, but they DO NOT GIVE YOU 40 HOURS/WEEK! I'm sick & tired of people getting all excited or angry about a few Target employees making more per hour on a PART TIME job than someone in a full time job. Stop thinking the Target jobs are so wonderful, please. Plus the work is not a sit-down job, you're gonna be on your feet for your whole shift (except for breaks), and stocking shelves which involves lifting & moving stuff. Heavy stuff, not just a ream of copy paper, or a stack of file folders.
Phyzzi 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, retail is obviously not all sunshine and butterflies but depending on who you are, it can beat the emotional and financial abuse of a bad boss, and in some professions "bad boss" is pretty systemic. Also, legal isn't all sunshine and butterflies either. For some people, the transition can be like the end of Office Space.
Load More Replies...
B-b-bird 3 years ago (edited)
friend of mine lasted in law firm as an admin just a few months, because the salary was so shamefully low that i'm even not brave enough to write it here (plus incredible stress level) . She got triple the salary at her next job and still it was bit lower than average market salary.... Some companies have a lot of employees almost for free just because workers sometimes are too desperate, vulnerable and have no luxury of choice at time when things are tough or they need experience. Disgusting
Isaac Molchak 3 years ago (edited)
"OP is also a single mom to a cat and she has to make her furry child’s life better"......... Did you seriously just throw that in there like it's a widely accepted problem...? Maybe single mother to an ACTUAL HUMAN CHILD would garner more sympathy.... but when you claim your life is too difficult because you're trying to give a good life to your cat....... I'd think you'd either need your personal financial advisor, or think you were throwing the punchline to a joke at me.... The fact the author thinks they can play on people's sympathy by dropping the fur baby mama line and it would just be thoughtlessly accepted, really gives a clear picture of where the world is these days.... people would kill for 23/hr btw.... I make $12 and can't afford to even feed myself most days. The fact she has the luxury of whining about her cat, shows that she wants for nothing and obviously doesn't have it so bad after all. You know in Texas, the state minimum wage is $7.25..? $23 would be a dream!
WilvanderHeijden 3 years ago
As I have always said, and got downvoted for it; We should all be like mercenaries. We work for the highest bidder, always looking out for ourselves and never loyal. If you can earn $1 per hour more somewhere else, move. Because your employer is going to fire you if they can find someone who is willing to do your job for 50 cents less per hour.
Michael Diaz 3 years ago
That's exactly the attitude to take. I wouldn't bounce for $1 more but I have for 5-15k more. My boss once asked if I was looking and my answer was simply "Always".
Load More Replies... Julia H 3 years ago
I am so sick of people playing the blame game on "Boomers". We are not all totally loyal to our lifelong employers; don't always stay in a marriage because our parents did and little of the crap spewed by pissy whiners that all society ills leads back to the aging generation. Please knock it off, @efficiencyopen4546, personally I'm sick of hearing it.
Jaqi Hegland 3 years ago
100% right, but at the same time, they need to stop blaming millennials for destroying the economy by not buying much and living with their parents. The problem isn't the generation, it's individuals. Demand your own boss be accountable. No matter what their age.
Load More Replies... Cidalia Martins 3 years ago (edited)
Legal assistant and paralegal positions have a high turnover rate. Many do not stay until retirement. I worked at law firms. Besides the pay being a lot less than I had anticipated, even for a newbie out of school, the stress levels were through the roof. I quit it altogether. I went to work in retail for $1.50 less and a lot less stress. I’m now working on launching my own business this year. Some diplomas aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on.
Julia H 3 years ago
I wish you the best of luck. I hope your idea takes off.
Load More Replies... NsG 3 years ago
"People would rather work at a law firm", because they are under the (apparently incorrect) assumption that it pays more than Target! Because (rightly or wrongly, mostly wrongly) the general view is that retail is not a high-paying career option, certainly not in the same way a *law firm* is viewed. Once again, we have a boss who skirts sooooo close to the point, but misses at the last second and remains willfully blind and ignorant.
Rebecca Bamford 3 years ago
I take care of mentally challenged and mentally ill adults in a group home. We do all care, hygiene, doctors appointments, and meds. Basically nursing duties without the degree. I am currently only making 14.85 an hour. It’s pitiful to only get paid so little for taking care of human beings who can’t take care of themselves . Many are often violent. We are currently in contract negotiations and they want to take MORE from us! We as employees are looking at places like target. If we aren’t going to be valued at our current employer? Then we’ll move on. People need a LIVING WAGE. We need to look our for ourselves. We need to get paid what we are worth. We all have bills and as one commentator put it, your bills don’t care where you work.
Phyzzi 3 years ago
There are some complications, but you might check out something like Care.com. Not sure what your wage laws and CoL would set you at but it's possible to get a fairly stable job earning $20+/hr if you have experience and spend some time "moonlighting" to get in-app recommendations before you try to go full time, and you get to spend time with just a few people getting to know them well instead of bouncing around and answering to a manager that cares more about business than people.
Load More Replies... Marcellus the Third 3 years ago
The comment near the end “if scooping (poo) in the zoo paid 300K I’d do it” — hahaha zoos are famous for underpaying and abusing their staff, as thousands line up that absolutely dream to work with (insert fav animal).
JazzyfromtheNati 3 years ago
I think you missed the point, it def wasn't about zoo's and scooping poop
Load More Replies... Salt Water 3 years ago
… the Original Poster (OP) is also a single mom to a cat and she has to make her furry child’s life better… Does she really think that? Like she has to take it to school, buy it clothes, celebrate birthdays and start a college fund?
anthony moring 3 years ago (edited)
Don't have to worry about the college fund. OP has a natural cathlete who will definitely get a colarship. I'll see meowself out.
Load More Replies... Memere 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, sure - Target is paying 15-24 $/hour, but they DO NOT GIVE YOU 40 HOURS/WEEK! I'm sick & tired of people getting all excited or angry about a few Target employees making more per hour on a PART TIME job than someone in a full time job. Stop thinking the Target jobs are so wonderful, please. Plus the work is not a sit-down job, you're gonna be on your feet for your whole shift (except for breaks), and stocking shelves which involves lifting & moving stuff. Heavy stuff, not just a ream of copy paper, or a stack of file folders.
Phyzzi 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, retail is obviously not all sunshine and butterflies but depending on who you are, it can beat the emotional and financial abuse of a bad boss, and in some professions "bad boss" is pretty systemic. Also, legal isn't all sunshine and butterflies either. For some people, the transition can be like the end of Office Space.
Load More Replies... B-b-bird 3 years ago (edited)
friend of mine lasted in law firm as an admin just a few months, because the salary was so shamefully low that i'm even not brave enough to write it here (plus incredible stress level) . She got triple the salary at her next job and still it was bit lower than average market salary.... Some companies have a lot of employees almost for free just because workers sometimes are too desperate, vulnerable and have no luxury of choice at time when things are tough or they need experience. Disgusting
Isaac Molchak 3 years ago (edited)
"OP is also a single mom to a cat and she has to make her furry child’s life better"......... Did you seriously just throw that in there like it's a widely accepted problem...? Maybe single mother to an ACTUAL HUMAN CHILD would garner more sympathy.... but when you claim your life is too difficult because you're trying to give a good life to your cat....... I'd think you'd either need your personal financial advisor, or think you were throwing the punchline to a joke at me.... The fact the author thinks they can play on people's sympathy by dropping the fur baby mama line and it would just be thoughtlessly accepted, really gives a clear picture of where the world is these days.... people would kill for 23/hr btw.... I make $12 and can't afford to even feed myself most days. The fact she has the luxury of whining about her cat, shows that she wants for nothing and obviously doesn't have it so bad after all. You know in Texas, the state minimum wage is $7.25..? $23 would be a dream!
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