'I was told I'd be making $15/hr, flat': Housekeeper blindsided by employer at resort after salary keeps changing

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Aug 27, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

How many red flags does one need before it's time to quit and run? Imagine going through an interview process and being told an hourly rate that you're comfortable with should you get the position. Then, you get said position and you're told the exact same number as you sign the contract. Now that the contract is signed and you're beginning to schedule your training, you're told a wildly different number by someone else. You contact your boss and they tell you not to worry about it. You move forward with the process and attend training sessions. Now, you're told a third number, which is closer to the one that was originally promised to you but still not the exact amount. You're told this is the rate for training sessions and that once you've completed your two weeks of training, you'll get the number you were originally promised. Well, that day begins to approach, and you're all of a sudden told that the daily rate is going to be calculated completely differently. That's four different numbers over the course of your first two weeks on the job.

 

Unfortunately, this story is no fantasy. That's exactly what happened to this housekeeper who was recently hired at a resort. She shared her side of the story to this Reddit thread, and based on what folks had to say in the comments section, it's pretty clear that OP need to leave immediately. In fact, as one person suggested, she should give her employer a taste of their own medicine and give them unclear information regarding when their final day will be.

 

For more stories like this, here's one about an employee who was shamed for being sick. 

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  • 01
    Flowerpot - GARA "Got hired at one salary and given another"
    via visualsofdana
  • 02
    Font - Got hired at one salary and given another Long story short: I took a housekeeping job at a resort. During the interview, I was told I'd be making 15/hr, flat. I get hired and things get strange. They email over an offer letter that says $7.25 for the hourly rate which I texted my new boss about. She calls me immediately and tells me not to worry about it, it's just technical,
    via u/letstunein
  • 03
    Font - blah blah. I say fine and training begins. This is where the problem starts: they tell me I'll be making 14/hr for the first two weeks as a training rate. Ok, fine. I train and this 'payment per room' talk starts from my trainer. I'm thinking "cool,
    via u/letstunein
  • 04
    Font - so I get paid an extra $25 on top of each room I successfully complete with no errors". Training completes and my hourly rate vanishes. It's all per room now which, honestly would be fine if these rooms weren't small 2 bedroom apartments with full kitchens and 2 full baths. If I'm lucky, I leave with 80 bucks. How is this even legal? Even the Indeed ad, which I still have, advertises the salary FROM $15. I hate it out here.
    via u/letstunein
  • 05
    Font - Naps_and_cheese 22 hr. ago Bail now. They're gonna you over continually. Run away. ↑ 9.5k Reply Share
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  • 06
    Font - JonnyLay 18 hr. ago I would stay until finding a new job. Whether they pay her or not now, they still owe her that money, and she has legal recourse to get it. She is a victim of wage theft. I hope they do not let it slide. Keep in mind IANAL for the rest of what I would do below:
    via u/letstunein
  • 07
    Font - 1. Keep track of all of your hours, in detail, in a spreadsheet. 2. Document everything about the pay rate advertised, and any emails about it. 3. Every paycheck send an email saying it is short by X dollars. 4. X = (Per room rate plus 15 an hour) - (Paycheck gross pay)
    via u/letstunein
  • 08
    Font - 5. Don't push the issue. Just send the email saying it is short. 6. Never ever agree that the pay rate is now ok. 7. When you find a new job. Add up all the missing pay, and tell them they owe you that much. Tell them that if you aren't paid what you are owed, you will take it to small claims court and consider further legal action.
    via u/letstunein
  • 09
    Font - 8. Small claims court is super easy to file, and you don't need a lawyer. Most states have a max of 10k dollars. 9. If what you are owed is higher than the Small claims limit in your state, then you can tell them you will settle for X amount. No one will ever know about all this and it won't affect your future job search. 3.3k Reply Share
    via u/letstunein
  • 10
    Font - Sharticus123 23 hr. ago Find a different job. Do not give these holes a two week notice when you find other work. Just no call no show and never answer the phone. If they've lied to you that much already it's going to get worse. 3.3k Reply Share
    via u/letstunein
  • 11
    Font - Jucoy 19 hr. ago No bring this to the states labor department. They're falsely advertising pay and giving the op the run around. 1.0k Reply Share
    via u/letstunein
  • 12
    Font - slackjawedyokel99. 23 hr. ago Oh no no no!!! You need to get out of there. I know that is easier said than done but that is insane. I am sure it is legal in some backhanded way but wildly unethical. 471 Reply Share
    via u/letstunein
  • 13
    Font - gadamo94 21 hr. ago Please file a complaint on Indeed about the job posting Describe everything the same way you did here, say you feel mislead and this is switch and bait. Hopefully others do the same, eventually c employers do get kicked off the platforms 188 Reply Share
    via u/letstunein
  • 14
    Font - Morning Papers 22 hr. ago You can report this, but it's unclear to me if you are making $80 per day? if daily, are you doing more than 5.5 hours per day of actual cleaning work? Are they reimbursing you for travel? If you are walking away with $80 per apartment, you are coming out ahead of the $15/hr rate. Certainly report this if they are you over, but sit down and do the math if you have not already.
    via u/letstunein
  • 15
    Font - pure_coconut_water 20 hr. ago Jesus. How many red flags do you need?
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  • 16
    Font - d3rpderp 20 hr. ago This isn't legal. Just leave.
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  • 17
    Font - SexysPsycho 21 hr. ago My first two questions have to be Did you follow yo with your boss and whatever HR dept your company has? Get in writing what your supposed to be making and take a screen shot in of the Indeed post with the hourly wage posted on it. Make sure it doesnt say up to 15 and hour. Does your boss seem like it's a mistake or that he is covering for them? Dont quit right away to many people give this advice on here. Try proper channels then leave if they dont work out
    via u/letstunein
  • 18
    Font - someonecalledethan. 20 hr. ago Hand in a 6 week notices, the next day mention how you're sad to be leaving in 2 weeks, don't show up the next day forever
    via u/letstunein

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salary boss workplace-stories work stories hospitality toxic-workplace hired job work toxic-boss Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit toxic-work-environment
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