What is often a reaction from newly hired workers in a two-tier wage system?

A two-tier wage system creates a scenario where newly hired workers receive lower pay or fewer benefits compared to existing employees. This disparity can lead to feelings of disenfranchisement and undervaluation among new hires. They often perceive that they are not receiving the same rewards for their efforts as previous employees, which can create a sense of inequity within the workplace.

These feelings can stem from several factors: the social contract associated with the workplace is disrupted, leading to discontent among new employees, who may feel that they are not being compensated fairly for the same work. This situation can subsequently result in lower morale and commitment to the organization, impacting overall productivity and satisfaction.

While some employees might see the situation as a challenge to work harder or to adapt quickly, the emotional response to being in a lesser position in terms of pay can overshadow those motivations. Therefore, it's common for newly hired workers in such a system to experience feelings of frustration or being undervalued.