So I'm posting this on behalf of somebody else..
First, a bit of background. I used to be friends with a lady, I'll call her N. Now N has real difficulty with writing and spelling, and overall is a bit challenged in terms of intellect. I met a current friend of mine through her, we'll call him C.
I was a teenager when I met N, and after a few years, we grew apart, but I continued to be friends with C. C still talks to N, so I have some idea of what's going on with her.
She works in some sort of program that provides work to those with learning and intellectual disabilities. They do a variety of things there- sewing, embroidery, cooking, screen printing. Those are things it takes some effort and practice to get good at, not unskilled work, and they put in a full workweek at this- somewhere between 35-40 hours each week. For this, they get the grand total of a monthly disability check- somewhere around $500 if memory serves. So for all that work, they get well below minimum wage. I think this is allowed under an aspect of the law- since it's not a "real job" but a "work experience program", laws concerning wages don't apply.
To me, that's not right at all- these people deserve at least minimum wage for their work. No wonder my friend C calls the place "the sweatshop".
The other thing about this place that has earned a serious "WTF" from me is food. According to N, The place dictates in minute detail what people are allowed to bring to work in their lunch. A sandwich, a drink (they specify what kind of each), and something else. For sandwiches, they dictate what kind of sandwich, and what condiments and toppings are allowed, and how much- for example, how much mayo and mustard must be used. And apparently, they have been known to open and inspect sandwiches to make sure the rules are being followed. If somebody's food is not in compliance, it gets confiscated, and the person goes without. Heaven help somebody who does not like the prescribed sandwich or toppings, I guess!
The rationale for this micromanagement- People may "feel bad" if anyone is allowed to bring anything different, and somebody else gets jealous.
Funny, I thought the point of these programs was to help these people function in the real world, and as part of that, one would think that understanding that things aren't always 100% equal would be a good thing.
Is it just me, or is this (below minimum wage and food micromanaging) downright insulting to the people it's supposed to be helping?
First, a bit of background. I used to be friends with a lady, I'll call her N. Now N has real difficulty with writing and spelling, and overall is a bit challenged in terms of intellect. I met a current friend of mine through her, we'll call him C.
I was a teenager when I met N, and after a few years, we grew apart, but I continued to be friends with C. C still talks to N, so I have some idea of what's going on with her.
She works in some sort of program that provides work to those with learning and intellectual disabilities. They do a variety of things there- sewing, embroidery, cooking, screen printing. Those are things it takes some effort and practice to get good at, not unskilled work, and they put in a full workweek at this- somewhere between 35-40 hours each week. For this, they get the grand total of a monthly disability check- somewhere around $500 if memory serves. So for all that work, they get well below minimum wage. I think this is allowed under an aspect of the law- since it's not a "real job" but a "work experience program", laws concerning wages don't apply.
To me, that's not right at all- these people deserve at least minimum wage for their work. No wonder my friend C calls the place "the sweatshop".
The other thing about this place that has earned a serious "WTF" from me is food. According to N, The place dictates in minute detail what people are allowed to bring to work in their lunch. A sandwich, a drink (they specify what kind of each), and something else. For sandwiches, they dictate what kind of sandwich, and what condiments and toppings are allowed, and how much- for example, how much mayo and mustard must be used. And apparently, they have been known to open and inspect sandwiches to make sure the rules are being followed. If somebody's food is not in compliance, it gets confiscated, and the person goes without. Heaven help somebody who does not like the prescribed sandwich or toppings, I guess!
The rationale for this micromanagement- People may "feel bad" if anyone is allowed to bring anything different, and somebody else gets jealous.
Funny, I thought the point of these programs was to help these people function in the real world, and as part of that, one would think that understanding that things aren't always 100% equal would be a good thing.
Is it just me, or is this (below minimum wage and food micromanaging) downright insulting to the people it's supposed to be helping?
Comment