Shady HR demands more hours from 18-year-old student worker while reducing his pay: ‘If they wanted me to work more, they should pay more’

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Nov 18, 2024 4:00 PM EST

One would hope that most managers who work with student workers would be sympathetic to how challenging it can be to balance education with employment. Let's face the facts: if it weren't necessary, most folks wouldn't take on all that responsibility. And yet, there are still far too many employers in this day and age who become far too concerned with their own insular experience that they are then unable to step outside of themselves and understand how hard things may be for their student workers. 

This Human Resources department is no exception to this fact. Not only did they demand that this student worker put in significantly more hours than what was initially written in his contract, but then they tried to reduce his pay… twice within a span of four months. As many folks in the comments section suggested, it's time for this guy to get out while he can and if he can.

Keep scrolling below for the full story. When you're done, check out this post about a 17-year-old student who maliciously complied with his strict math teacher's calculator policy.

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10429332992
    via Annika Wischnewsky

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I've gotten my pay reduced twice in 4 months despite my "outstanding performance"
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 03
    I work at a mental health facility in Arizona. I was originally hired into a salaried position for 32 hours a week, which I accepted because that allowed me to continue doing college. About 2 months after starting, they told me that they
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 04
    I up and the position needed to be 40 hours a week.. I told them that this was the schedule we agreed upon and if they wanted me to work more, they should pay more because that would
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 05
    essentially be a pay decrease. After some discussion, I told them I'd be willing to work 36 a week working 3 12-hour/shifts, without a pay increase, and they agreed.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 06
    Recently I get pulled into HR telling me that my position doesn't meet the requirements of a salaried position by the DOL's standards, and they they would be switching me to an hourly rate.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 07
    I've already done that math a couple times and I found that at my original 32hr/week schedule I was making roughly 29$/hr, after the change to 36 that decreased to about 25$/hour.. When they converted my pay, they based it on a 40hr/week schedule so now my pay is 21$/hour.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 08
    This just seems so shady and I'm wondering if this is even legal? I'm not sure if I've provided enough info to even get this kind of advice, but any help would be appreciated
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 09
    Proper-District8608 1 day ago I call ☐. They wanted 40, got 36 and are still wringing their hands on pay. Call labor board and do some research as to what qualified
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 10
    Forklift edited 23 hr. ago 23 hr. ago What you need to do here is document everything based on your original pay and dates of employment.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 11
    Email HR and say: "Following up on our meeting Mm/DD/YY I want to make sure I understand ORGANIZATION NAMES stance clearly:
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 12
    Start date-rate - effective hourly Date of change one - rate - effective hourly Proposed change - rate- effective hourly
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 13
    This seems like I've taken a pay cut and you're proposing another, along with extra hours to work. I'm requesting clarification in writing" Cc boss and anyone else. Cc your personal email. this It's shady as ....
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 14
    And let me just continue my rant. DOL rules have nothing to do with this. What happened is they up when they hired you at 32 hrs a week when probably everyone else works 40.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 15
    So them giving you 32 makes it super unfair for all the other workers and instead of RAISING your pay and hour commitment (what they should do) they are trying to raise your hours and keep the pay the same.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 16
    It's total . Just be ready to get fired if you push back too hard. If they do fire you make sure to follow up with DOL as at a minimum they'll be on the hook for the back pay they've you on so far.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 17
    Winter_Ad_5961 · 1 day ago Report it to department of labor and see what they say.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 18
    mrjaycanadian 21 hr. ago For all you people reading: - This is why you MUST get everything in writing * About 2 months after starting, they told me that they I up and the position needed to be 40 hours a week. NEVER perform for free
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 19
    * I told them I'd be willing to work 36 a week working 3 12- hour/shifts, without a pay increase.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 20
    - NEVER agree to anything, without it being full documented
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 21
    * Recently I get pulled into HR telling me that my position doesn't meet the requirements of a salaried position by the DOL's standards.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 22
    Also, Corporate runs the business and HR is ONLY the middle men between Corporate and the Employee.
    via HamHandedBravado
  • 23
    Finally, my suggestion - if possible -- get another job and leave, err I mean RUN!
    via HamHandedBravado

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