Last week, while sitting at the traffic light at McGaw Road and Snowden River Parkway, I spotted this guy holding a sign for some big sale at Sofas Ect. As I waited for the light to turn green I thought to myself that this has to be a horrible job. I could only imagine how slowly the hours must pass as you stand there, alone, in the hot sun, just holding a sign. I’d be bored right out of my mind.
I wondered how much they pay these guys.
Today, I was driving though the same intersection and there was yet another fellow standing there holding a sign. I parked the car and walked back to talk to him.
I wondered how much they pay these guys.
Today, I was driving though the same intersection and there was yet another fellow standing there holding a sign. I parked the car and walked back to talk to him.
He told me his name is Clarence and he volunteered that he’s homeless. He said it was pretty tough to stand there all day in the sun. He told me that they pay him forty bucks for seven hours.
That’s pretty hard time for forty bucks but I guess its better than nothing...
That’s pretty hard time for forty bucks but I guess its better than nothing...
Isn't that below minimum wage, or is it posttax?
ReplyDeleteThe minimum wage in Maryland $6.55, which means 7 hours would equate to a little over $45 pre-tax for the 7 hours. I am sure there are a myriad of loopholes in employment law, but is the company hiring these people paying any required social security or medicare benefits or is this all "under the table" money being doled out.
ReplyDeleteIt is awesome that this company is hiring homeless people. What a great employment option to have available. It is unfortunate that some "leaders" are arrogant and foolish enough to pass laws (minimum wage, etc.) which make these types of arrangements illegal.
ReplyDeleteIt is a hard way to make $40, but it is much better than having an empty stomach for a couple of days.
I'm looking at this skinny man with a big belly and wondering if he has liver failure with ascites. Then I got sad about the idea that he probably cannot afford healthcare.
ReplyDeleteWow, there's so much I could say I think I'll just take a "pass" on this one for now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping and checking this guy out.
There are other medical reasons for being skinny with a big belly. You shouldn't make assumptions about liver failure.
ReplyDelete