Free market, amirite?

By Anonymous - 08/01/2022 11:01

Today, I work in HR and last week we'd hired an apprentice for our repair shop. He was great. I spent $500 company dollars on his uniform. Later, he called me saying he had been offered a job paying $10 more an hour than what we were offering, as much as our experienced workers make. I either have to match it, or be out a helper. FML
I agree, your life sucks 454
You deserved it 1 062
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Top comments

Chazzster 28

That’s either some way overpriced uniform and your company is being scammed by the uniform company (or the new hire) or you bought a whole bunch of uniforms, which is getting way ahead of the actual need. Here is the thing, those uniform(s) your company bought are “sunk costs”. You make decisions based on future costs, not sunk costs. If he’s that good and worth the money that he wants and it’s hard to replace then your company may have to pay him - But if word gets out that you gave him a big raise, you can bet others will expect the same. Personally I think your company needs to re-look at the other job candidates or re-advertise the position. A small raise is one thing, a big raise even though the employee hasn’t had a chance to prove their true worth is big trouble.

12 1
SJKatt 15

Tell him to get the new company to put it in writing and bring it in to you. He might be bluffing. If he's not, either pay the difference or give him a bill for the uniform costs.

5 1

Comments

RichardPencil 30

Make him reimburse you for the overpriced uniform, and send him on his way.

7 4
exceswater 8

What you repair? I am good at repairing computers

0 1
RichardPencil 30

It must not be computer repair because the uniform is too expensive. The computer repair uniform ranges from polo and khakis to t-shirt and cargo shorts.

2 0
Chazzster 28

That’s either some way overpriced uniform and your company is being scammed by the uniform company (or the new hire) or you bought a whole bunch of uniforms, which is getting way ahead of the actual need. Here is the thing, those uniform(s) your company bought are “sunk costs”. You make decisions based on future costs, not sunk costs. If he’s that good and worth the money that he wants and it’s hard to replace then your company may have to pay him - But if word gets out that you gave him a big raise, you can bet others will expect the same. Personally I think your company needs to re-look at the other job candidates or re-advertise the position. A small raise is one thing, a big raise even though the employee hasn’t had a chance to prove their true worth is big trouble.

12 1
SJKatt 15

Tell him to get the new company to put it in writing and bring it in to you. He might be bluffing. If he's not, either pay the difference or give him a bill for the uniform costs.

5 1
JasonThorn 19

Might be best to let them go. If it gets out he's being paid as much as an expert is, everyone's going to want a bump up in pay. And if he's bluffing, call his bluff.

0 0
Grizz8831 14

what else are they offering in comparison to your own company? flat pay increase is great, but benefits, paid sick days etc can add up as well and make a good competitive package... and sometimes companies over pay to get people then turn into shitty places to work.

4 0