Potentially Exploitative U.S. Substitute Teacher Labor Issues

Potentially Exploitative U.S. Labor Issues And Ways To Overcome Them

Kelly Services is one of a few companies that hires and manages substitute teachers.  However, what was found when researching this for substitute teachers is the following potentially exploitative labor issues:

Starting with Massachusetts - Factors - State Minimum Wage is higher than the Federal $7.25 per hour. Which means besides Massachusetts - several states are underpaying substitute teachers; simply based on state minimum wages. 

An associate's degree + is only paying $60 a day for up to an 8 hour day, due to an alleged law in Massachusetts that says they do not have to pay subs the same minimum wage per hour that they pay the rest of the state.  A law, three (3) employees. at Kelly Services stated exists; but for the fact that none of them could name the law. I also  could not find such a law. If such a law exists, it can only be deemed antiquated.

Those who hold an Associates or Bachelor's Degree are paid a wide variable in Massachusetts ranging from $50 to100+ a day. In other areas of the country that rate is as low as $40 per day per the National Educational Association. 

Federal Minimum Wage FMW

Albeit, some school districts across the country only require a H.S. diploma or G.E.D. the pay rate does not meet the Federal Standard in a surprising amount of districts nationwide.

The FMW came about to protect those who did not pursue additional education after high school and are in need of protection, it is currently $7.25 per hour across the United States.  The current rate of pay to subs with an associate's degree is as low $50 in Mass. if at 8 hours it is just $8 under the Federal Law and if at the average 7 hour day it is still missing federal guidelines by .75 cents.

As such, a lawsuit could be potentially be implemented against all school departments in Massachusetts and/or other states that pay less than the State's Minimum Wage Law. Massachusetts minimum wage is $10.00 per hour which means subs should be paid minimally 70-80 per day. 

When there is an increase by State Law over Federal Law it must be equally applied to all of it's working citizens.  States can give you more protection that what the federal laws grant; but never less than.  Moreover, they must not discriminate against any one group of it's citizens. 

Infact, the research clearly articulates that other cities Nationwide are also at risk; because they are not paying their state minimum per hour or even the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. By not doing so they are discriminating against those subbing after retirement and/or parents who are working for a 2nd income while their children are in school and those who are pursuing degrees or those seeking teaching jobs who are subbing.  

Even though access to benefits is available for those who work 2 days a week under Kelly Services it woefully cuts down on their take home pay.  A very bad message for students and potential future Teachers. 

Employment Sites like Indeed show that the Average Substitute Teacher salaries for job postings nationwide are 53% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.

What a School Board Should Consider in the Best Interests of Its Students & Budget

What I Learned Substitute Teaching ...

Substitute teaching, ever thought about it? I always thought I'd like to try teaching.  Now, I know everyone who's found their niche in this great big world, should substitute at least once a week for a couple of months.  Not because it pays well, because it doesn't.  It's the intangible experience. One - that literally can fill your heart and comes out in what you do, everywhere else.

This was my experience. The Good vs. The Bad.  A Sub line will call you in the morning or maybe you'll call in, they give a variety of choices throughout their city.  You pick one and sense relief on the other line.  Another plus, every single time - they thank you and make sure you know where you're going and who you're covering for. After all, in the grown up world our bosses do not thank us everyday. 

Upon arrival you scurry to find a parking space and the office. Once your there they welcome you, give you a badge, homeroom roster and direct you to your class, where a teacher has hopefully left you a lesson plan for the day. More often than not, they do. You look it over and realize you know more than you think you did.  

Homeroom is where your going to set the tone for the day.  I actually get butterfly's talking to a class no matter what age they are.  As they come in, I greet each one and have them check in.

Then at the start, I tell them my name again and let them know I will answer questions about myself at the end of the period; "if" we get the teacher's assignment done.  This works almost every time.