You Mean Volunteer?

glenmckenzie(justabitfurther)

April 5

Daily writing prompt

What job would you do for free?

I suspect there are many out there who at one time or another uttered a phrase along the line of, "Oh...that job is to die for.....I'd do it for free" or something similar.

That is until that "job I'd do for free" starts to feel like a job given the time and effort you're putting into it.... now we expect some sort of remuneration. Like, pay me.

There has been so much discussion(and rightly so) in this present economy and situation(at least here in Canada) regarding how people can survive at this very moment and move forward into the future, given the basic costs/money needed just to live from day to day.

This blog post isn't the one that will answer or provide any input as to what the answers are.

I read often about companies complaining that "they can't hire people to work."

Okay, what about paying more for the work that has to be done?

The minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $15.20 per hour. Say you work 40 hours in a week(if you're lucky) your gross pay would be $608. But, we have deductions(income tax, CPP, EI, etc) say 15 percent, now your net takehome pay is about $520 a week or about

The average one-bedroom apartment in Halifax rents out in the range of $2000 per month. You wouldn't come close to affording that at $15.20 per hour.

The point is, if it is a job(which is work), you should be paid for it. And at a liveable wage rate. If an employer can't pay a liveable rate - I suggest that business really isn't viable. It might be if the owner can get by, by paying the lowest dollars possible....... but....."Why can't I find people to work?"

If people want to do a job for free. Great ........ that's called being a volunteer. And there are plenty of non-profit agencies that would love to have you give them a hand for a few hours a day or week.

But, do a job for free - I don't think so.

My time is more valuable than doing a dream job to enrich the bottom line of a for-profit company.

--as always with love--

--- get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself ---