Minimum Wage Research Paper

Sumant Bysani
10/05/17
English 1101

The minimum wage the initial amount most will be paid for their work. Whether or not that is the wage a worker receives is always a huge concern for most people. No one should have to decide between keeping the lights on, clothes on their back, or food on the table. A living wage is the least an employer can provide for their employee. Most people expect to be able to afford to survive and living paycheck to paycheck is not an easy way to survive. However, the minimum wage was never established for people to live on.
The ugly truth is many live every as such either the right choices in life were not made,  or perhaps school was not a reasonable or affordable option.. There are many number of variables

in life that would force someone to work a job that pays them the absolute minimum the government requires them to pay. This does not devalue employees nor make the company cheap. Unfortunately, the underlying issue is for most employers the only thought is about the bottom line. Paying people, a higher minimum wage increases their operating costs. Costs that can put small business owners, who are the backbone of the economy at risk. Employees who are paid a higher minimum wage are also the most likely to be laid off to help offset the costs of a wage increase. Unfortunately raising the minimum wage also raises other issues. Goods simply do not cost the same as they used too it would be nice if an entire week's’ worth of groceries cost a few nickels like back in the day. No longer the case anymore due to people's demand for more money. It is a double edged sword either an increase in cost of goods or worse employers start to lay off employees. Employees who may be perfectly satisfied with the wages they are receiving whether or not it is minimum. Leading to a decrease in staff that could result in shoddy service. Putting businesses in even more trouble with unhappy consumers. Possibly leading to the shutdown of the business that would put even more stress on an already strained economy.
While it is true that inflation caused by other economic factors put a strain on the working class, another issue causing the inflating costs of goods and services is people’s desire for more money. At first it may seem the wage increase is like a godsend and people are able to live in a less stressful situation. No more living paycheck to paycheck and hopefully able to put aside a little nest egg to be able to save for future issues. Until they need to start cracking that egg open to help pay bills or buy groceries,
It is a never ending cycle if people want to make more money to support their families they need to make themselves more valuable to the company as an asset not just another replaceable pawn that will be sacrificed to save the king( The company). They need to prove to their employers that they are a much more valuable piece. Someone that is useful and can be utilized fully not to be thrown away to make room for the next wave of happy employees who would do anything for the job. If that is not an option and they cannot prove how valuable they are to that king. They need to move on to a different board. While the job market may not be the most stable thing at the time.
Decisions need to be made and need to be a few moves ahead. The employee needs to become the chess master, not just another piece on the board, destined to be thrown away the moment there are any signs of distress. They have to become the more important pieces instead of trying to make everyone important and devaluing themselves in the process starting the game all over again.