Devalued services include retail, legal, accounting, administrative, hospitality, food and beverage, and staffing industries. I think our servers, chefs, and retail workers are often devalued because they do not make top dollar. Only those who make the most seem to be of the most value in our society. When we get the best hair cut, the most skilled and creative job done, would we consider telling that professional stylist that we will only pay half the price, even though they did a great job? Or our accountants, should we devalue them by telling them that they did a great job, saved us money, and were on time, but will only be given partial pay? Do a great job and get paid less for it; the argument is so ridiculous but that is where our society is going. So, should we ever have the right to devalue a service? Should we say, now that you have earned the reputation of expert, completed the service, and did a great job, that now we want to pay less than what was agreed? Sure, I will write an article one day on paying too much for the value received but not today; today is about the great services out there and the experts being devalued because they are not paid directly, or because we can just say “not paying”, now that the service is done! If you hire an expert, pay what was agreed upon. Give a good tip, if the service was excellent. Think about the years of education, reputation, business acumen, and resources accumulated before you renegotiate a price after the service is done! If you hire someone who is paid by another source, appreciate the knowledge, time, and effort those experts bring to the table. There was a reason for hiring that service in the first place, so respect the price behind it. And if it is a free service, “you get what you pay for” does not apply; appreciate that service provider’s experience and choice of career! Times are tight and dollars are hard to come by, so if a service deserves less, truly deserves less, have a conversation with the person being paid to discuss why less should be offered. But, just having the ability to complain or that someone just does not want pay, is not an option! This type of attitude brings down every service based industry and our society as a whole!
-- Sharlene Massie is the C.E.O. of About Staffing Ltd., a dynamic personnel agency specializing in direct-hire and temporary placements. Questions for Sharlene? Visit the About Staffing website at www.aboutstaffing.com, and click on the link under the Sun logo. This article may be reproduced or transmitted if done so in its entirety, including this copyright line: Copyright 2009, by About Staffing Ltd., all rights reserve.
