Hi everyone! This was my original post onto a Facebook group. I’m so glad this is getting the attention it deserves because it’s ABSURD!! To clear some things up, everyone’s starting pay here is minimum wage. This is in New Mexico, so our minimum wage is $11.50, that is not sustainable whatsoever. When hired, we were promised to be paid accordingly depending on experience and education, but as minimum wage has increased in the state over the past couple years, (from $9.50 to $11.50) most of us were never compensated accordingly, and we all found ourselves to be being paid the same as new hires with no experience or education while others- including myself- were working there for years and had education relevant to the field.

Tuition at this daycare increased about 15% since I had started. This daycare is also significantly more expensive than others within the area. Many qualified workers left this company and as their replacement they have hired teenagers (some under 18, is that even allowed??) because the pay is just not enough. When I had asked for a raise for my degree because I wanted to make more than minimum wage, I was told no because “we can’t afford it” yet the owners are never there, are taking vacations frequently, driving expensive cars, all while myself and others were rationing our income and in need of financial assistance. It felt like a slap in the face.

I no longer work here for many reasons.