NZ: Minimum wage

I feel sorry for people who are perpetually stuck in a system that disfavors them. Just because I figured out a way to make money without being employed by somebody else does not automatically make me believe everybody can. You have to be creative, not all humans are born to think laterally. Not every single person has the gumption, intellect or opportunity to evolve in the workforce. We need to at least make their lives bearable or should I say, take steps in minimizing how unbearable our employers can and do make their lives.

I've worked for New World, Woolworths, Hallensteins, Cotton On, Kiwibank, Telstraclear, and Cherry tree. Out of that list of employers I can pick out the ones who treated their workers with respect. They also happen to be the ones who make the most profit, and score consistently in customer service surveys.

Those three are woolworths because they pay well above minimum wage and used to offer all staff four weeks paid leave when the law said three hallensteins because the staff there are put under pressure but immensely rewarded for their efforts and finally kiwibank. I worked in the Kiwibank call center for one year and as well as having a very reasonable renumeration package the company being quite 'new' was excellent at keeping me informed at all times, providing me with disrection to carry out my job, and rewarding me with both money and non monetary incentives when I showed a strong will to carry on their mission (completed my KPI's).

Those other employers, well. I won't comment on for obvious legal reasons. But I will say there are one or two in there who treat their staff appallingly and I guess it might be good for them in the short term to pay shit wages and things like that but i've made a conscious decision not to do business with them from now on. I also try to deter people I know from doing so as well (through my own opinion) and word of mouth spreads.

If you want your business to do well, treat your staff well and it will show because they will tell their friends, family and anybody else they come into contact with how happy they are and how engaged and involved they are in the business they work for. Treat your staff awfully, and expect an eventual bad reputation.