How long can you stay at the same paid hourly rate?

Question

I started my seasonal job in May of '06, left early for school, and the facility closes in November (weather pending - it's a kart race track). I came back to work this May again after I got out of school. I was expecting the annual dollar raise I kept hearing about, but they gave me a hard time about it - because I didn't work a "full year."
I was wondering how long an employer can keep you at the same paid hourly rate until they have to increase it (by any amount - whether it's $.10, $.25, or $1 raise).

Answer 1

Indefinately, unless regulated (ala minimum wage increase). Companies aren't obligated to provide wage increases.

Answer 2

First of all, you were not entitled to the raise because you did not work the full year like your supposed to in order to get the raise. If you knew of someone else who worked there and was in the same situation as you are and they gave them a raise after not working the full year, I would bring it up to them. If not, too bad.

They don't have to increase your hourly rate. The only way that they have to is if the State minimum wage goes up or if the Federal minimum wage goes up. I know of people who worked at a company for maybe 5 years and didn't see a pay increase and then the pay increase was only $.25.

Answer 3

I know how you feel, too. I worked for one company for 5 years. We had statistics kept about how many customer's problems we solved, and during the time I was in one particular team, I sorted out THREE times as many problems as most others on the team. And that was only part of my job, whereas they were dealing with customer problems full time! The reason for the huge discrepancy was that they were wasting a big chunk of the day playing computer games or chatting in the coffee room. Anyway, when it came to pay rises and promotions, it made no difference at all! The final straw came when the management responded to employees' concerns about how pay rises were determined, and held a meeting to discuss it, and it became clear that not only did they not care about who worked harder, they did not even have that information. So, is it worth working harder? In a company like that, no it is not. You could do one of two things. You could take it easy, or you could try to find another job with a company that rewards hard work. Soneone else raised the point that hard work is a question of pride. Good point. It would also be very depressing being deliberately useless. But you could also argue that companies that do not reward hard work do not desrve hard workers.

Answer 4

Whenever they want. If you were not there for a year, and after the 12 month mark is when they gave the raise, then you are not entitled to a raise.

Answer 5

Until they decide you are worth more of the business is doing well enough they want to pass it on. You are NEVER entitled to a raise.

Answer 6

They can pay you that as long as you'll work for them.