#I'm hoping I get a callback from anywhere I've applied to soon enough

[askthedevicer]

Friendly neighborhood PSA

If you are a working class citizen, you should at least glance over the FLSA (+ any additional laws your particular state may have). Not reading them is like blindly signing a lease agreement. A lot of employers hedge bets on the fact that their employees don't know their rights, and the rights go wayyyy beyond just minimum wage.

For example, most "exempt" employees I know are actually not qualified for exempt status under FLSA. It's about more than being payed a certain amount. You're not allowed to have more than half your duties be laborious if you're "exempt." Depending on the type fo "exempt" (and yes there are several types of exempt employee) you are, you may be disqualified if your boss is a control freak who never lets you make any decisions of significnt procedural or financial importance to the company. There are PAGES of rules outline in the FLSA regarding who is allowed to be exempt. If either of the above scenarios strike a chord with you, this might be worth speaking to a lawyer about.

Also for my hourly cohorts, BREAKS ARE MANDATORY not just lunch but your two tens as well. Especially those ten minute rest periods. If a boss forbids you from taking them, they are stealing your money as the point of a rest period is ten minutes of pay without work. Furthermore, agricultural employees are required to have more breaks.

For my tipped brethren, those tips are yours. ESPECIALLY if your business is taking the Tip Tax Credit. Management is not allowed to touch your tips. Even if management requires you to pool your money to non-tipped employees, always make sure you read the fine print and don't let them tax you out the ass if you're technically not tipped. Don't let greedy assholes take your money.

Please please please, don't let your bosses take advantage of you. Know your rights.