AyetoZee Work Series 9: Rooting for Everybody Black
When I started this series and said that I wanted a wide swath of experiences included, I meant it and this week’s contribution comes from a Bahamian living abroad. I was excited to get my first one and hopefully it’s the first of many, because I think these responses can be a great tool for comparison as well as for helping people to understand the global standard for compensation.
AyetoZee: How long have you been working at your current place of employment and/or for yourself?
Bahamian Living Abroad: I have been there for 2 years. I do not work for myself.
AyetoZee: If you work for someone else, how did you get the job? Was it through personal relationships, cold applying, etc?
Bahamian Living Abroad: I wanted to work while finishing my classes and my classmate told me her job was hiring so, I applied.
AyetoZee: At your job/in your industry, what percentage of people do you think are qualified for their positions?
Bahamian Living Abroad: I would say about 70% are qualified. For the most part, they have the credentials and experience so they know how to do the job from an operational standpoint but, most of them lack the common sense and social skills that I think a leader or technician should have.
AyetoZee: What was the starting salary for your job? Based on the expectations for your work, do you think that salary is fair?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Since my job is associated with my major, the pay is based on my year in the program and I didn’t start until my Sophomore year so, at the time it was $14 and some change per hour, I think.
AyetoZee: If you have received additional qualifications during your tenure in your current position, do they qualify you for raises? Or is there a set schedule for raises at your job?
Bahamian Living Abroad: The raises are on a set schedule, you get one every year as you progress through school. Now in my senior year, my wage is about $18 per hour. I have no idea how they calculate the increases.
AyetoZee: Do you think your manager/supervisor encourages individual promotion or is it a place where you’re expected to stay in your position?
Bahamian Living Abroad: They definitely groom you to be promoted. In your senior year of school, you are given more responsibilities to prepare you to take on a managerial position and not necessarily at your location but, in general. Current managers are constantly promoted to supervisors then district leaders etc.
AyetoZee: Is training available at your job? Do they pay for is or is it something you’re solely responsible for?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Training is technically available but honestly you learn as you work. It is a fast-paced environment, so no one has the time to slow down and teach you everything. Most things I had to learn by either making a mistake or asking and taking notes. There are computer-based trainings that are required before you actually start a shift but they are only helpful in theory.
AyetoZee: How long do you see yourself staying at your current place of employment? How long do you seeing yourself staying in your current field of employment?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Hopefully I will only be here for another month. Thankfully, I was offered a few other opportunities and I want to explore those. I love this field, I hope to stay in it for as long as I live.
AyetoZee: Do you see your job and/or field as your dream place to be?
Bahamian Living Abroad: The job, no. The field, yes. I intend to practice for a good amount of time then, teach. I may do both, if life allows.
AyetoZee: Is there Human Resources at your company? How do you feel about them? Do you feel comfortable going to them about anything you experience on the job?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Yes. I have no idea how to get in touch with them. They are located off-site and I have never really needed to talk to them, honestly. Everything has been filtered through my manager and I haven’t had a need to speak with them directly over the past 2 years.
AyetoZee: What factors do you think most commonly cause people to leave your job and/or field?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Most people feel unappreciated and get tired of the physical and mental demands of the job.
AyetoZee: What is the benefits package like at your job?
Bahamian Living Abroad: You get Health, Dental and Vision insurance, paid time off, retirement and company stock. Randomly you’ll get a $50 or $100 gift card, coupons etc. I’m probably missing something but those are the ones that affect me the most.
AyetoZee: What benefits or work related things do you think can make your work environment better?
Bahamian Living Abroad: I don’t think there is anything. My job is customer service based and as long as it remains that way, it’ll suck sometimes. We might benefit from hiring competent technicians or people who are adaptable.
AyetoZee: Is salary information widely available through your job/industry or is secrecy encouraged?
Bahamian Living Abroad: It is advertised but it’s only the starting pay. Your actual pay can be affected by the amount of experience you have or how big of a raise you got during your performance review.
AyetoZee: Do you feel like senior management abuses their power at work?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Yes, my manager likes to alter my schedule so that my shifts occur outside of my availability and most times it is extremely inconvenient for me. She has threatened to write me up for missing a shift that was outside of my availability but, she didn’t. She couldn’t.
AyetoZee: In a perfect world, what changes would you implement to your work life?
Bahamian Living Abroad: I would work from home most days. I really like my job, but I love my bed more.
AyetoZee: How long is the maximum do you think that people should stay at a job in 2021?
Bahamian Living Abroad: Without a promotion? 2 years. I think you should stay in any position for 2 years, 3 years max then try to move up or move out.
AyetoZee: What does your dream job look like?
