[dreamofmonterey]

I love this forum. I really do. I also see alot of people moving everywhere, which is great. One thing I do see (hiknapster is on the same page) Florida can be beautiful- the gulf coast or Amelia Island are truly beautiful. If your husband transfers with his company, it is probably fine.

But anyone floating in on the bubble with alot of cash from elsewhere will learn the reality. I went to Florida with money from my familys estate. Everything (including a trust fund) did not change the job market reality. Someday I will be selling my house down there. But we have had to absorb alot of taxes, insurance, and financial hemorrhaging. There is a reason why Palm Beach is deserted for 9 months out of the year. jmo.

[SunKrist]

Originally Posted by Jammie

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflor...13/story1.html

I was just doing a bit of reading on the downsides of being employed for Disney. Looks like they're not alone.


Speaking of low wages~it appears that Publix will now be lowering their pay scale by 50 cents per hour. This will affect new employees and also employees who have hit the top of the former pay scale. They will lose 50 cents per hour for wages. HMMM, thought wages normally went up. It's just strange since it's often been posted that Publix is a very good place for general employment. They want to remain competitive so of course the employees will get the bad end of the deal. One of the areas mentioned is South Florida so I'm not sure if it'll affect Orlando or not.

Is it just me, or does this seem like a really odd move for Publix, considering the Florida minimum wage will be raised twice in the next two years, ending up at $7.25/hour?

[Jammie]

Sunshinebaby, it's an outdated story and one of the poster's discovered that. I was also looking for a date cause I thought it was odd when they were talking about 6 an hour cause I thought minimum was above that. The story is from 2002 and I'm not sure why it was near the top of my search since it's so old. Since then, they've hopefully readjusted their pay scale to be more up to date.

[hiknapster]

Danielle: Thanks so much for explaining about disability checks. My FIL was on disability, but had a progressive disease that eventually killed him, so he was never able to work, so I had no idea.

I have to say that it was wonderful working with the disabled and also the high school kids.

I still wouldn't recommend that folks work for Publix, BUT...

I worked for them five years ago, so a lot of my information is very outdated, just like that article! Don't worry Jammie. You were just concerned and it is the thought that counts!

Also, I do believe that manager that I originally worked for finally got canned. I am almost positive of this. Also, the assistant manager that came with me to the new store also got canned.

I think it was bad management.

MovingtoPA loves it there, so if she likes it, it must be a good place! I think she is a great person!

[SunKrist]

Thank you, Jammie. I didn't see that before

Originally Posted by Jammie

Sunshinebaby, it's an outdated story and one of the poster's discovered that. I was also looking for a date cause I thought it was odd when they were talking about 6 an hour cause I thought minimum was above that. The story is from 2002 and I'm not sure why it was near the top of my search since it's so old. Since then, they've hopefully readjusted their pay scale to be more up to date.

[MB2]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Danielle: Thanks so much for explaining about disability checks. My FIL was on disability, but had a progressive disease that eventually killed him, so he was never able to work, so I had no idea.

I have to say that it was wonderful working with the disabled and also the high school kids.

I still wouldn't recommend that folks work for Publix, BUT...

I worked for them five years ago, so a lot of my information is very outdated, just like that article! Don't worry Jammie. You were just concerned and it is the thought that counts!

Also, I do believe that manager that I originally worked for finally got canned. I am almost positive of this. Also, the assistant manager that came with me to the new store also got canned.

I think it was bad management.

MovingtoPA loves it there, so if she likes it, it must be a good place! I think she is a great person!

Thank you so much, hik!
The reason I say it is a good place to work is, that is HAS changed, and employees have gotten more legal rights. (Yes, even here in flroida, where it is a "right to work state" )
I think, it has a lot to do with the fact about the discrimination suit approx about 10 years ago (I am sure stuff can be found on the internet), where female employees sued publix because of being passed over for managment jobs. Well, it cost publix dearly (we are talking millions $$$ here! )
The problem with that was, it wasn't publix itself......it was the MANAGEMENT making those foolish rules and decisions, and publix as a whole, was held responsible.
So, lessons learned, and paved the way for people like me (female, being a meatcutter, and on the list for management )
And, all of us employees are being told, reminded CONSTANDLY, that there is the open door policy, and the chance to call the warehouse in lakeland itself, to place a complained (without suffering consequences!)
I would never, ever tolerate a mistreatment, harassment or discrimination of ANY sort against anybody, at this day in age.......or feathers would fly....lol
I was always fortunate enough, to have awesome bosses around me, pushing me in the right direction, and getting the most out of me possible. And, yes, I certainly DO need a kick in my A** sometimes, because I just have way to much energy! LOL
Well, I will truly miss all my customers so much, because we will be moving to PA comes May 4th!!!! Lot's, and LOT's of supermarkets in the neck of the woods, where I'm moving back to. But, after doing the meat dept. bit now for 23 years, it's time to hang it up, and pursue some better things in life
To my special friend Hiknapster, I'm still going to be on this board, and still keeping in touch. And, WE WILL MEET IN TN one of those days!!!

[JSnFla]

you don't move to florida to make a good living. u either retire here, are very wealthy and move here or make a huge sacrifice in pay and scrape to get by for the hot weather tradeoff

[Jammie]

MovingBack, I see why Hik likes you. You seem very nice and I wish you luck on your move. Twenty three years???? I've only been at my job for 10 years and I'm getting restless.

JS, you're right. Florida isn't a high paying state. We just want to move there to be closer to family. We're nearly middle aged, AHEM, so we're not looking to get rich in life. We just want a nice simple life in the sunshine, but that will include me still needing to have a job that offers health insurance.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by Jammie

MovingBack, I see why Hik likes you. You seem very nice and I wish you luck on your move. Twenty three years???? I've only been at my job for 10 years and I'm getting restless.

JS, you're right. Florida isn't a high paying state. We just want to move there to be closer to family. We're nearly middle aged, AHEM, so we're not looking to get rich in life. We just want a nice simple life in the sunshine, but that will include me still needing to have a job that offers health insurance.

Can you work for the State? A man, where my husband works, took a $10,000 pay cut to work for the State of Florida just to get health benefits for his wife (disabled) and two kids.

I live in NY and have been covering my husband in Florida with my High PPO ($200 a month family coverage) which will cover him in another state. It would be about half that for low coverage if we lived in the same state. I work for a non profit mental health agency. The pay sucks, but we have great benefits. The same is true in Florida. I have checked and applied to a few -- for the benefits, not the "great" salary. I have also looked at the State jobs, but as of now, nothing is available in my line of work. We are very fortunate in that he makes a good salary, but I can get good benefits in my field.

I do know what you mean, though. We are in our 50s and my husband is starting to have medical issues. In total we would have had to pay tens of thousands of dollars without my health coverage.

Try looking into a State, or County, job. Good luck.

[hiknapster]

Congrats to MovingbacktoPA! I am so excited for you!

I sincerely hope someone day that we have a really nice City-Data party with everyone. That would be great!