That seems insanely frustrating. Mind me asking what line of work you are in?

A few things...yes I would take the cut and then start my job search. I would also make sure that it is across the board including management and that they would not be getting any bonuses or car allowance, blah blah.

No increase for me this year...not sure when I will see an increase again, there might be layoffs here in the near future. Supposedly my group is safe for now, maybe Obama will save us all. :whistle:

Fucking this times a million. If a company is giving you the option, something's wrong at the top. Chances are those options will become actuality. They'll take the 5% and then end up firing people anyway when nothing changes, or vice versa. It's piss poor managing having the employees make any of those decisions, and creates friction among the ranks when their opinions on what should happen aren't universal.

Yep. :iagree:

However, I'd still take the pay cut.....and start looking for another job.....

It's better to have a job and look for one than to be fired/laid off and not have income until you find something else...

I understand your angst, especially given the circumstances.

However:

Often, in small companies, the boss will take a hit long before the employees. I have seen small business owners not take a paycheck for months to keep a company afloat while the employees had no idea.

I agree Sean, we didn't give out raises to the guys outside this year, some received an increase to minimum wage when it went up to $7.21 an hour and only one received a decrease, but he was only at $7.24 an hour to begin with.

The owner of the company explained to him that he would be more than happy to give everyone a raise and lay off 5 people, or everyone could get the same pay and everyone could keep their jobs.

Meanwhile, I do payroll, I know who makes what and I know what my boss has done to ensure equality. He has cut his pay, and things that the company should pay for, he has started to pay for it out of his pocket by not turning in receipts to me.

For small businesses, it should always start at the top. I know that when my boss retires, and the doors close here, he'll be on a boat fishing in the Keys every day and occasionally might remember that girl who used to work in his office doing the accounting while I'm out pounding the pavement looking for the next accounting office to hire me.

wouldn't take the paycut, but would start looking for a new place of employment. Co is probably going on a steady decline if they start asking for volunteer cuts.

You know damn well that the people who don't take the pay cut are the first on the block for lay offs.

Not over 5%. Do you realize that it would cost the company a lot more than 5% of your salary to hire someone back in at a 5% lower salary. Advertising cost money, interviews cost money, training costs money. If a company is going to fire your ass over 5% they have far bigger problems than you know about and you better have your ass out job hunting anyway.

Well...everyone at my company took 4%...anyone making over 6 figures took a 20% cut. I guarantee if and when we have to lay more people off it will be the ones who declined the 4%.

I had no choice. The reporters and produces, who are under contract, had a 'choice'.