Power comparison

So here's the thing: I don't want to write tonight, it's late, I think I might have a little cold, work was crappy, and my leg hurts, but I skipped writing last night for similar reasons and this blog won't accomplish what I want it to if I don't post regularly so here we are.

I want to share with you all an example of how corporations can manipulate your pay.

At my job we have two systems we have to clock in on, this is actually a new development imposed on us by our corporate overlords, the first and original system is the registers, this made since as we have to be clocked on to use the registers, so clocking in right there keeps us from working without logging in. As of a couple weeks ago however corporate mandated a new system which requires us to enter a code, a different code than what we use on the registers, while also making sure the camera on the wall mounted device can see and recognize our face, usually it does.

In addition to being creepy, the thing takes and stores our picture every time we clock in and out, and I rather doubt that camera ever turns off really, in addition to that, our owner, who to his credit also hates those devices, told me that if there is a discrepancy in the log in times between our two systems, payroll will use whichever one is shorter.

Meaning if I log in on the register at 3:00, then move to the other device, which isn't right next to the register mind you, it is actually located in the hallway that we all need to use basically all day long, and then I clock in on that at 3:01, my real clock in time is 3:01, but if I clock out on the register at 8:00 and on the other thingy at 8:01, my clock out time is 8:00.

It's a two minute difference, which isn't much, something like a third of a penny for me, but expand that by the three dozen employees we have, then consider how many log ins it records during a year, and then consider that our corporate overlords also have this system at hundreds of other restaurants in their network of businesses, it starts to add up to real money.

It's skimming really, and although it doesn't hurt me in any meaningful way, assuming I don't forget to use one of the clock in methods anyway, it absolutely benefits them and is a great example of the imbalance of power we face compared to the corporation, a change that adds a minor annoyance to the employee turns into thousands of dollars in yearly savings for the corporation.

Maybe it doesn't seem worth getting worked up about, but it's one of the many little ways our lack of power is driven home.