Found out I've been paying $15 extra per shift for parking near my job downtown

I work retail at a store in the city center and I always just park in the lot next door. It costs me $20 every shift and I never thought twice about it. Last week I was looking at our employee bulletin board and saw a flyer for a parking validation program I never knew existed. Turns out my store has a deal with a garage three blocks away where employees park for $5. I've been working here for 8 months and nobody ever told me about this. I asked my manager and she just shrugged and said I should have asked around more. Has anyone else found out way too late that you were overpaying for parking at your job?

3 comments

3 Comments

cole99411d ago

Wait, you mean your store actually had a deal with a garage the whole time and just didnt tell anyone? I read somewhere that like half of downtown employers have some kind of parking perk for their workers but they keep it quiet on purpose. Probably to avoid paperwork or something. I feel for you man, eight months of paying $15 extra per shift adds up real fast. Thats like $300 a month gone just because your manager couldnt be bothered to mention a flyer. I bet if you dig through all the old bulletin board stuff youd find other hidden benefits too. Next time ask HR directly, even if they act like its common knowledge.

lee.drew11d ago

Managers pull that stuff all the time. They figure if you don't ask, you don't need to know. I got burned the same way at a warehouse job years ago. They had a deal with a local tire shop for employee discounts, but nobody ever posted it anywhere. I found out from a buddy who worked there five years. Next time you start somewhere new, just walk into HR on day one and ask for a list of every employee perk or discount they offer. Make them write it down or print it out. That way you got proof and they can't play dumb later.

the_brian11d ago

Right? It's like they think hiding perks is some kind of corporate prank. Imagine being the guy who just casually lets people pay full price for tires for five years, that's a whole different level of petty. Honestly, at this point I'm convinced half the "employee benefits" at any company are just urban legends unless you see them in writing. Just walk in there with a clipboard and make them feel like they're being audited, that usually gets results lol.