Voc. Solutions

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Colonel Taylor
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Voc. Solutions

Unread post by Colonel Taylor »

The paper has been running news stories about Voc. Solutions. Many of the people who work there are very nice and have HUGE hearts.
But. These clients only make pennies per hour sometimes a week. Yes that little. Yet this gentleman in the picture is making in excess of $100,000 per year. The last director stole money from V.S.
Now all you folk who jump on foreign countries for slave labor what you say?

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/201 ... tball-goal

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/201 ... /121129941

http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/201 ... /120929783

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Colonel Taylor
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Re: Voc. Solutions

Unread post by Colonel Taylor »

Vrede wrote:Your choice, but I think a thread like this will drop off the first page pretty rapidly. It will stay more prominent if you post it to the new "Local News" forum, http://blueridgedebate.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=7.
Thanks

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Colonel Taylor
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Re: Voc. Solutions

Unread post by Colonel Taylor »

Yes I know someone who works and worked there. You don't question the pay of the clients or you kind of disappear. Also directed someone who had a relative who was sick and he got mad at me because he said they would make less then a few dollars per week.
The organization is non profit yet it is VERY top heavy with 6 figure salaries.

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Colonel Taylor
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Re: Voc. Solutions

Unread post by Colonel Taylor »

Vrede wrote:Maybe you should try contacting the HT-N reporter, Joey Millwood, or writing a letter to the editor and seeing if it sparks some investigation or knowledgeable people stepping forward.
Already did! Also a few years back they ran a story and they were contacted. No response. Somethings are sacred cows so to speak in this area and you don't sway the cart.

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O Really
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Re: Voc. Solutions

Unread post by O Really »

It looks like the organization would be considered a type of "sheltered workshop." According to an antiquated rule/exception of the Fair Labor Standards Act, an organization may pay sub-minimum wages to employees with disabilities if they jump through the hoops to be certified, and if they're paying based on actual productivity compared to a non-disabled person. Here's the fact sheet: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs39.pdf

But I think the amount paid can't be below 50% of minimum (I said "I think" - I could look if up if anyone is interested), and they still have to get time and a half over 40. If anybody is actually getting "pennies," I'd say a call to the Wage-Hour Division of the Department of Labor would be in order. Check the real facts first.

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k9nanny
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Re: Voc. Solutions

Unread post by k9nanny »

I don't have any figures, but consider that the clients of Vocational Solutions, formerly known as the Sheltered Workshop, are most certainly on disability. The whole point of the place is not to make a living, but to enhance the lives of unfortunate souls. It's a bit different than Goodwill.

If these folks were able to work regular jobs, they wouldn't be there. For some, it's close to a daycare situation.
Se Non Ora, Quando?

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