Is it okay for my boss to make something mandatory and make us pay for it?
i dunno if this is the place for this.
i work in the spa industry and work in a small spa, like 20 employees. my boss makes some interesting decisions and thinks the tiniest things they gives us is this huge favor. later this month they're making it mandatory that we drive 30+ minutes from work to get our pictures professionally taken. they're also making us pay 50 bucks to do it. no one wants their pictures taken. we have good pictures. its so soon after christmas and i and other coworkers's budgets are tight. we'd be not only paying 50 bucks each, but also missing out on work.
i just want to know if this is ok for them to do? i dunno, i'm really horrible at standing up for myself and some of my coworkers are fed up but don't want to challenge them rn. i guess i need some advice.
Jobadvisor
It is completely understandable why you and your coworkers are frustrated. This isn't just a minor annoyance; it’s a direct hit to your wallet during an already expensive time of year.
To answer your question directly: In most places, this is likely not legal.
While labor laws vary depending on your specific location (state or country), there are some general rules that usually apply to these types of "employer-mandated" expenses.
Is this legal?
In the United States, for example, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and various state laws generally dictate the following:
Mandatory = Paid: If an employer requires you to be somewhere at a specific time (like a photoshoot), that is considered hours worked. They must pay you your hourly wage for the time spent there and for the travel time from your workplace to the shoot.
The "Minimum Wage" Rule: Generally, an employer cannot require an employee to pay for business expenses (like uniforms or professional photos) if that cost brings the employee's pay for that week below the federal or state minimum wage.
Direct Deductions: In many states (like California or New York), employers are prohibited from passing the cost of "business tools" or "uniforms" onto employees entirely, regardless of minimum wage.
How to Handle This
Since you mentioned being uncomfortable with confrontation, here are a few ways to approach this without being the "troublemaker":
The "Clarification" Approach: Ask for details in writing. You could send an email or text saying: "I'm checking my budget for the month—will the $50 be deducted from our paychecks, or do we pay the photographer directly? Also, how should we log our travel and session time on our timesheets?" This subtly reminds the boss that this is a work requirement.
The "Power in Numbers" Strategy: You mentioned your coworkers are fed up. If five or ten of you approach the boss together, it’s much harder for them to single anyone out. You can say, "We've all been talking, and with it being right after the holidays, we simply don't have the extra $50 or the ability to miss out on several hours of bookings."
Check Your Handbook: Small businesses are notorious for making up rules on the fly. See if there is anything in your initial contract or handbook about "professional appearance" or "mandatory marketing events."
A Note on Small Business Culture
In small spas, owners often view the business as a "family" and assume everyone should be happy to contribute to the "brand." They might not even realize they are breaking labor laws; they might just think they're doing something "cool" for the website. However, your bills don't care about their "vision."
Should I quit over not receiving a promised raise?
TLDR: I am not being paid what I was promised but the job looks good on my resume. What do I do?
In September 2025 I was promoted to a much higher position than I had been previously (like skipped a few levels). I work in fast food and this placed me at a quazai-director level (there are people higher than this in our structure). I was given a very small ¢50 raise while I was trained for it, and promised that after three months, if I was doing well, I would get another (implied to be larger but Idc anymore).
Now it's been almost four months, and despite the owner, my director, and their director all complimenting me on how well I've been doing, I have not had any changes. My director isn't in charge of when it happens but they have told the appropriate management to do so.
I know it won't make a massive difference to my finances, but I'm still paying for college, and literally every dollar matters right now.
Despite how obvious it seems that I should leave, the specific position I have now looks REALLY good on a resume for the field I want to go into after college, and even though most other fast food chains would pay me more just to start there, I don't want to lose out on a possible good job because I lacked experience.
Jobadvisor
This is a classic "career vs. cash" dilemma. You are essentially being "paid" in two ways right now: a paycheck that is too small, and a resume title that is very valuable.
Because you are paying for college, that "resume currency" is real—but it doesn't pay the rent. Here is a breakdown of how to handle this without burning a bridge or losing that valuable title.
1. The "Paper Trail" Talk
Since your direct supervisor is already on your side, the "bottleneck" is likely higher up or in HR/Payroll. You need to move from "waiting" to "tracking."
Ask for a "Status Update" in writing: Send a professional email to your director and CC the person in charge of payroll.
The Script: "I’ve really enjoyed the challenges of the Director-level role since September. When I accepted the promotion, we agreed on a performance-based raise after three months. Since we are now at the four-month mark and my performance feedback has been positive, I wanted to see when the pay adjustment will be reflected on my check. I'd also like to know if this will be backdated to the three-month anniversary."
2. Don't Quit (Yet)—Leverage the Title
You mentioned that other chains would pay you more to start. The best time to find a job is when you already have one—especially one with a fancy title.
The "Six-Month Rule": If you can swing it financially, try to hit the six-month mark in this specific role. On a resume, "6 months" looks like a solid stint; "3 months" can sometimes look like a probationary period that didn't work out.
Update your resume NOW: Use your new title and list your "quasi-director" accomplishments. Start applying to those other chains or entry-level roles in your desired field.
The "Price Match": If you get an offer elsewhere for $2–$3 more an hour, you can take that to your current boss. "I love it here and want to keep building this resume, but I’ve received an offer for $X. Can we expedite that raise to match this so I can stay?"
3. Consider the "Opportunity Cost"
If you are skip-leveling and getting "Director" experience in fast food, that often translates to Project Management, Operations, or People Leadership in the corporate world.
If you stay: You sacrifice maybe $500–$1,000 in wages over the next few months but potentially land a $10k–$20k higher starting salary after college because of the title.
If you leave: You get immediate financial relief but might have to explain why you "downgraded" your title at your next interview.
My Advice
Don't quit today. Instead, have one "hard" conversation where you ask for a specific date for the raise. If they give you a vague answer or "we'll see," then you know they are taking advantage of your student status. At that point, start applying elsewhere immediately. You've already earned the title; once it's on your resume and you've done the work, they can't take that experience away from you.
How to stop being an unemployed loser that’s totally supported by my parents?
20M, honestly as I’m approaching 21 this year i feel super ashamed of myself with who I am in life. I’ve lived with my parents and been supported by them for so long. I’ve never ever had a job, i’ve never payed for my own things, i ask my dad for money all the time. He pays for my college, car, phone, shoes and just about everything else in life. I’ve spent this whole winter break just watching anime, playing video games, scrolling on instagram & tiktok in bed and eating barbecue chips. I have diagnosed adhd and haven’t been taking my pills since break but I expected a lot from myself this month.
I wanted to find a job that could fit my schedule, flexible and that I could do during the semester part-time. For some reason a lot of jobs on indeed just have strict hours i just can’t do, or too many hours i can’t do, or like time-commitments as well, or there are commuting issues with distance being too far. I’ve also never heard back or been denied by a few.
I have other commitments like doing research at a lab at my university and emt volunteering plus my bio classes next semester and other extracurriculars that take up certain hours every single week, and aren’t that flexible and i have no idea how I’ll be able to find the ideal part-time job i wanna do, that builds around my schedule. I feel like I’m cooked and gonna remain dependent for a while atp.
I honestly wanted to make enough money so that I could go on dates with girls, or invest my own money into stocks or like buy new shoes for myself off StockX but i honestly got no clue how. Does anybody know what to do in my situation, to make money?
Jobadvisor
First off, take a breath. You are not a "loser." You are a 20-year-old college student taking Bio classes, working in a research lab, and volunteering as an EMT.
Read that again: Research lab and EMT volunteering.
Those are high-level, high-responsibility commitments. You aren't "doing nothing"—you’re just doing things that don't pay money yet. The "shame" you feel is likely the ADHD "paralysis" combined with the dopamine crash from the holiday break.
Here is how you bridge the gap between "supported by parents" and "financial independence" without crashing your GPA.
1. The ADHD Factor: "The Pill Gap"
You mentioned you stopped taking your meds over the break. That’s why you’re stuck in the "Anime-TikTok-Chips" loop. ADHD makes the "barrier to entry" for tasks like job searching feel like climbing a mountain.
The Fix: Get back on your prescribed routine before the semester starts. You need your brain's "executive function" online to navigate scheduling.
2. Stop Looking at Indeed
Indeed is a graveyard for part-time student schedules. Most of those jobs are looking for consistent shift work. Since you already have lab work and EMT shifts, you need Campus Jobs.
Work-Study or Student Assistant: Go to your university’s student employment portal (often called Handshake). Campus jobs are legally required to work around your class schedule.
Peer Tutoring: Since you're a Bio major and an EMT, you’re likely smart. Tutoring underclassmen in Bio or Chem often pays $15–$25/hour and is extremely flexible.
Lab Tech Roles: Ask your current research professor if there are any paid assistant positions or grants available. You’re already there—you might as well get paid for it.
3. The "Gig" Transition
Since you have a car and want money for "StockX shoes and dates," you don't necessarily need a "career" job right now; you need a cash-flow job.
Plasma Donation: It sounds clinical, but for a college student, it’s consistent. You can sit there, study your Bio notes or watch anime, and make $400–$800 a month. It’s "self-earned" money that covers dates and shoes easily.
Valet Parking: Since you’re an EMT, you’re responsible. Valet companies often have weekend evening shifts that won't conflict with your weekday classes/lab.
4. Reframe the "Unemployed" Label
You are currently investing in your future self. * Your dad isn't just "paying for your life"; he is investing in a future Doctor, PA, or Researcher.
The Goal: Start small. Aim to pay for just one thing yourself this month. Maybe it’s your phone bill or your own gas. Once you pay for one thing with "your" money, the "loser" feeling starts to evaporate.
Comparison of Your Current Path
| Activity | Financial Value | Resume Value |
| Research Lab | $0 (usually) | Gold (Critical for Med/Grad School) |
| EMT Volunteering | $0 | Platinum (Clinical experience) |
| Part-time Retail | $15/hr | Bronze (Basic work ethic) |
The Strategy: Do not drop the Lab or EMT work for a minimum-wage job. That is "stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime." Your current path leads to a $100k+ career; a retail job just leads to a pair of shoes.
My wife wants to leave teaching
Any suggestions on where to start? My wife has been teaching for about 3 years. The job is not what she thought it would be. She is currently a high school English teacher. She has a bachelors degree. We have no idea where to start. In a perfect world she would love to work remotely. Seems like other than teaching, her teaching degree isn’t really good for much. We can’t really afford a huge pay cut. She makes a little over 60k a year. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jobadvisor
It is completely understandable that your wife feels this way. Teaching has changed drastically in the last few years, and many educators find that the reality of the classroom is far from what they envisioned.
The good news is that her degree and experience are actually highly versatile. A high school English teacher is essentially a professional communicator, project manager, and data analyst. Companies value the ability to take complex information and make it digestible for an audience.
To hit that $60k+ remote target, here are the most logical career pivots for an English teacher:
1. Corporate Trainer / L&D Specialist
Instead of teaching teenagers, she would train adults on new software, company policies, or soft skills.
Why she’s a fit: She already knows how to manage a "room," design presentations, and assess if people are actually learning.
Remote Potential: High. Many global companies conduct all staff training via Zoom or specialized platforms.
Estimated Salary: $60,000 – $85,000.
2. Instructional Designer
This is the "behind the scenes" version of teaching. These professionals create the curriculum, digital modules, and materials for corporate or higher-ed courses.
Why she’s a fit: English teachers are experts at "backward design"—starting with a goal and building the steps to get there.
Remote Potential: Very High. This is a tech-heavy role that is almost exclusively digital.
Estimated Salary: $70,000 – $95,000.
3. Customer Success Manager (CSM) in EdTech
EdTech companies (like Khan Academy, Newsela, or Canvas) love hiring former teachers. As a CSM, she would manage relationships with school districts, teaching them how to use the software effectively.
Why she’s a fit: She speaks the language of the "customer" (other teachers) and knows their pain points.
Remote Potential: High.
Estimated Salary: $65,000 – $90,000 + bonuses.
4. Technical Writer or Editor
Since she has an English background, she can pivot into writing manuals, "How-to" guides, or internal documentation for tech or healthcare companies.
Why she’s a fit: She can likely write clearly and has a high attention to detail for grammar and structure.
Remote Potential: Extremely High.
Estimated Salary: $60,000 – $80,000.
How to Start (The "Teacher-to-Corporate" Roadmap)
The biggest hurdle for teachers is usually vocabulary. She needs to stop using "teacher talk" and start using "corporate talk."
| Teaching Term | Corporate Translation |
| Lesson Planning | Project Management / Content Design |
| Classroom Management | Stakeholder Management / Conflict Resolution |
| Grading/Data Tracking | Data Analysis / Performance Metrics |
| Differentiated Instruction | Personalizing User Experience (UX) |
Immediate Next Steps:
Revamp the LinkedIn: Change her headline from "English Teacher" to "Education Professional | Instructional Design | Corporate Training."
Follow "Teacher Career Coach": This is a popular community (Daphne Williams) specifically for teachers leaving the classroom. They have free podcasts and resources on how to translate a teaching resume.
Look at "Remote First" Companies: Check job boards like FlexJobs, We Work Remotely, or EdSurge (specifically for EdTech roles).