I attempted to register holiday pay for Thanksgiving and received a note that I had not accumulated enough hours to qualify. Having worked here for 7 years, I found that unlikely so I called my contact person with the staffing firm.
Me: Hello, I’d like to discuss the status of my holiday pay.
Staffing Person: Yes, you’ve only completed 312 hours this season.
Me: I’ve done 1996 hours in the past 18 months, I sent you a spreadsheet.
Staffing Person: But that was part of a different placement, the clock resets.
Me:Â It didn’t before.
Staffing Person: Yes, that was an error on our part.
Me: But you paid me before.
Staffing Person: One moment…. Yes, I’ve retrieved the copy of your work agreement which clearly states the terms and you do not qualify.
Me: But you paid me before.
Staffing Person: Let me talk to my manager.
*call back*
Staffing Person: I requested an exception and you do not qualify.
Me: But you paid me before.
Staffing Person: That was an error, sir.
Me: But you paid me before.
Staffing Person: Let me talk to my shift supervisor.
*call back*
Staffing Person: Good news, we are making a one time exception while we sort this out. You will receive holiday pay until 2011 starts.
Me:Â Thank you.
Please note, I placed emphasis on a different syllable each time I said “but you paid me before” and also, gha, I hate that this tactic works.