I manage an auto parts store in a relatively red state but blue city. I myself am a big proponent of anti-work and that’s as a salaried guy. I would love to be able to pay my guys what they’re worth, but corporate doesn’t allow me to pay more than 11 bucks an hour for a counter sales job in which you come face to face with some of the worst customers retail has to offer. I get constant complaints from corporate and the other managers around the area that it’s hard to hire, and we can never find qualified people… but they would never say it’s because the company doesn’t pay fairly for said qualified people.
It’s to a point where I can barely do my job because we’re understaffed, but trying to give qualified candidates (to be able to run the store) their fair pay is pulling teeth to corporate who won’t allow me any play with numbers. Managers are expected to work 50-60 hours a week or more when we’re understaffed. I’ve already put out my resume trying to find something else so I won’t keep putting myself and my family through so much stress but with no degree but finding another position might be tough, lol. It’s a great job when I’ve got great staff and the pay and benefits (as a manager) are great, but the way the company is handling this new world and the role I feel forced to play in it is reprehensible. It feels so exploitative and I don’t want to continue putting profit over people’s livelihoods.