Author Topic: Wages vs Salary (Read 11915 times)

martyst · « **on:** September 10, 2014, 06:43:15 AM »

Hi all,

Just wanted to know others opinions and/or experiences. I have worked on wages forever and have been asked about going on salary and wanted to know others thoughts and what to be aware of.

Cheers Marty

slcs78 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:48:05 AM »

Depends on the $$$$, problem with a salary is I work 50 hours a week minimum and weekends as I work in retail. Luckily these days as I've worked my way up it's okay but when I first went to salary it was a big hit losing penalties and going form fortnightly to monthly pays

oldmate · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:51:21 AM »

I've done both. It really depends on the type of work. There is negatives and positives for both.

When you go to a salary you generally lose overtime rates etc, so if you are someone that does a lot of ot, make sure you add all that up with your normal wage and come to a happy meduim with your employer for a salary. The last thing you want is to do the same or more hours for what may work out less money.

JD-120 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:55:40 AM »

I've bee salary all my career.

If I work over time, my employers have always give me time off to compensate as apposed to the $$$.

works for me as I usually take fridays off @ full pay and go camping

Swannie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2014, 07:12:52 AM »

On a salary getting paid monthly is a pain!! Rich on the 15 th broke on the 16th of the month

Swannie

Symon · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2014, 07:46:23 AM »

I've been on salary so long I can't even remember what wages was like.

As above, if you do a lot of OT it may not be a good move to salary.

Remember on salary all your OT is tax free!

Bird · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2014, 07:52:54 AM »

Sarary - your Japanese?

martyst · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2014, 07:57:28 AM »

Aaron Schubert · « **Reply #8 on:** September 10, 2014, 08:02:26 AM »

I don't like Salary. Too many people end up working longer hours and getting nothing for it. Most companies won't give you money for overtime and regularly you even battle to get time off in lieu.

If you are in a job where your hours are guaranteed to be the same then it may be worth considering, but in an environment where you can't guarantee the regularity of your hours (maintenance/callouts etc) then its not a good idea.

From an employers perspective, you are providing no incentive for employees to perform well too.

Aaron

steve.j · « **Reply #9 on:** September 10, 2014, 09:49:40 AM »

Completely depends on the job and employer. I've done both like a lot of others, currently on salary.
I work fifo for a company that does a lot of short contracts, if the next job is not ready when one ends, i stay home until it is it ready. Been home about 6 weeks now, looks like being about another 2 to go

until next contract is ready.
Simply couldnt afford to do it if i was on hourly wages.

chester ver2.0 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 10, 2014, 10:48:15 AM »

I like salary been on it for years as you know what you will be paid

Only downside is the pay cycle if it is one that says 15th of each month sometimes you have to deal with 5 weekends in a pay cycle

If you can get it paid fortnightly it smoothes it out

As for working extra hous i can usually make an agreement with the boss and duck out early on a friday if i have worked over time

slcs78 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:03:43 AM »

Quote from: chester ver2.0 on September 10, 2014, 10:48:15 AM

I like salary been on it for years as you know what you will be paid

Only downside is the pay cycle if it is one that says 15th of each month sometimes you have to deal with 5 weekends in a pay cycle

If you can get it paid fortnightly it smoothes it out

As for working extra hous i can usually make an agreement with the boss and duck out early on a friday if i have worked over time

Agreed, the five week months are tough especially 5 mortgage repayments. Ive found the best way to deal with monthly pay is over time build up a months pay in reserve over and above any saving you have elsewhere to get you through

NewieCamper · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:18:17 AM »

Quote from: slcs78 on September 10, 2014, 11:03:43 AM

Agreed, the five week months are tough especially 5 mortgage repayments. Ive found the best way to deal with monthly pay is over time build up a months pay in reserve over and above any saving you have elsewhere to get you through

I used to get paid monthly, now it's weekly, but I've always got a buffer in the bank so that if the fridge dies, or something that needs cash now it is there. If it drops below my comfort level then no more non essentials until the balance is back up there again.

Beachman · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2014, 11:27:09 AM »

I’ve been on both and all depends on how nice your employer is. I’m currently on a salary and we are always being pushed into working extra hours with no extra money or time off in lieu. Also things like RDO’s and Holiday leave loading are a thing of the past. Also where I work they can play with our start finish times as the people on a Salary have a different/watered down enterprise agreement to the staff on wages.

Also when you first move across find out if your salary package includes Super or if it’s paid on top. Reason is in simple terms say someone is on a wage of $50 000 plus the compulsory 9% super ($4 500) on top. But on a Salary they might offer you a package of $55 000, but the 9% super comes out of this amount, so effectively your take home salary is $50 500, so your only receiving a $500 pay rise with no ongoing allowances.

robsjack · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2014, 12:16:24 PM »

I have been on both but have been on a salary for my last couple of positions. Assuming the $$ are ok I'd rather the salary. Hours are generally set and you know how much you are getting. I found that when I moved from wages to salary originally that my rate went up accordingly to make up for some of the O/T losses. The problem with O/T is that you are always pushing for more and it's a struggle when you get used to the extra $$ and then work slows down and you have to go back to base $$. A salary means that you get the same amount on leave as you do normally.
And yes - make sure you understand whether your salary includes super or not. My most recent position the salary was always discussed as being separate from the super component.
I have never been on a monthly cycle. My previous employer paid salary fortnightly and my current employer pays it weekly which is even better.

I do accept though with my position have there is the expectation to do some 'unpaid' overtime if required but another bonus is some companies do pay O/T. Not always at penalty rates but my last company paid O/T at single time. Depending on your situation some people prefer to take time in lieu.

muzza01 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 10, 2014, 12:31:35 PM »

I am on wages and will always try to stay that way. I am not chasing the big $$$ but limited working hours are important to me.

A very good friend of mine works in retail ( for one of the big supermarkets) as a manager and is on salary. She gets $55k per year and is required to work close to 60 hours every week. It works out to be around $17.60 per hour.

My wife works in retail (for one of the big supermarkets) NOT as a Manager. She works 6 hours per day 5 days per week and she earns $19 per hour. You do the maths.

gronk · « **Reply #16 on:** September 10, 2014, 12:42:58 PM »

I would be happy to work either as I was retrenched 4 weeks ago..

When I finish working on the 4wd and the house, I'll have to get my arse into gear and start looking !!!........after I have 3 weeks holidays tripping around NSW soon.

weeds · « **Reply #17 on:** September 10, 2014, 05:40:45 PM »

Horses for courses really.......you cannot be to picky in the current environment. A lot of it depends on your relationship with the manager.

Monthly pay is only an issue if you live week to week.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

oldmate · « **Reply #18 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:04:25 PM »

Quote from: weeds on September 10, 2014, 05:40:45 PM

Horses for courses really.......you cannot be to picky in the current environment. A lot of it depends on your relationship with the manager.

Monthly pay is only an issue if you live week to week.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

300% agree

slcs78 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:11:07 PM »

You have to look at the whole package and the way the company or business treats people. If you were to look at just my salary vs hours worked it would look poor. Im lucky to also receive an extra two weeks AL each year, shares, bonuses, vehicle etc. Whilst there is a very high expectation of working the hours until the job is done, there is never an issue when it comes to flexibility re family time etc.

Ozsnowman · « **Reply #20 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:20:02 PM »

I didn't even know there was a difference

Elky · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:22:22 PM »

From what I have seen thru friends and reps, salary is not something I would consider, they all worked way too much for what they get paid. Sure some like the security of a guaranteed pay packet but it seems to me a great way for businesses to exort employees, I left the wages train 15 years ago and went out on my own, now my pay is all over the shop and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Cheers

Hairs · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:25:32 PM »

Quote from: weeds on September 10, 2014, 05:40:45 PM

Horses for courses really.......you cannot be to picky in the current environment. A lot of it depends on your relationship with the manager.
Monthly pay is only an issue if you live week to week.

Agree,
Having been self employed, to now on a wage, it's about how you manage your income and the time on the job.

martyst · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:30:35 PM »

Thanks for all the thoughts (keep them coming). I have been with same company for about 10 years. I think will see what they offer and weigh it all up. I do a fair amount of OT and away work. I am certainly not going to go backwards.

vicandug · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2014, 06:42:37 PM »

there is a lot of month left at the end of the money

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Author Topic: Wages vs Salary (Read 11915 times)