Would you take a 5% paycut?

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by marko138

Yeah I would...and just did. We laid off 11 people AND took a 4% paycut. There was no option. Also, no 401k match anymore.

We just had our quarterly meeting last week... no profit sharing (can't 'share' what we didn't make), and corporate wide wage freeze (so those of us who've taken on all KINDS of extra work this year are just going to have to be glad we still have JOBS rather than complain about not getting a raise).

[G-Rex]

Originally Posted by neebelung

We just had our quarterly meeting last week... no profit sharing (can't 'share' what we didn't make), and corporate wide wage freeze (so those of us who've taken on all KINDS of extra work this year are just going to have to be glad we still have JOBS rather than complain about not getting a raise).

My company is small, and my time here winding down soon of my own doing.

However, if I were not leaving, and I was asked to take a paycut, the answer would be no.

I would suggest to the boss he has plenty of room to make sacrifices before we do. He spends more in a month on dining out than some people make in a month. That's just one example of many I can list.

[Dave]

fuck. no.

[azoomm]

I don't think it shows a very strong management structure in the company when they are giving options to their employees about fundamental company issues. It shouldn't be up to the employees. Amazingly, there is more stress and angst when the decision is made by the emotional than by those looking at the bottom line.

Would I? I would do what is best for the company in the long run. A flat 5% of each person's income isn't going to save the company that much - if they let someone go they then don't have to pay insurance, workman's comp, etc... so it would be better for the company to let someone go.

What is better for the company is better for ALL the employees.

Business decisions shouldn't be personal - it should be based on job performance.

[Corey]

Originally Posted by azoomm

I don't think it shows a very strong management structure in the company when they are giving options to their employees about fundamental company issues. It shouldn't be up to the employees. Amazingly, there is more stress and angst when the decision is made by the emotional than by those looking at the bottom line.

Would I? I would do what is best for the company in the long run. A flat 5% of each person's income isn't going to save the company that much - if they let someone go they then don't have to pay insurance, workman's comp, etc... so it would be better for the company to let someone go.

What is better for the company is better for ALL the employees.

Business decisions shouldn't be personal - it should be based on job performance.

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.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by Corey

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.

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...

[Apoc]

Originally Posted by azoomm

What is better for the company is better for ALL the employees.

Whats best for companies wqould be to pay nothing and overwork everyone. I work for a huge, multibillion dollar zinc mining/smelting company. They dont give a fuck about me, which is why we have a union.

[Trip]

I would say yes if management also took the 5% and eliminated their golden parachutes and year end bonuses.

[Lamnidae]

Originally Posted by Trip

I would say yes if management also took the 5% and eliminated their golden parachutes and year end bonuses.

That was going to be my answer, but more along the lines of 10% off management's pay.....

[shmike]

Originally Posted by G-Rex

My company is small, and my time here winding down soon of my own doing.

However, if I were not leaving, and I was asked to take a paycut, the answer would be no.

I would suggest to the boss he has plenty of room to make sacrifices before we do. He spends more in a month on dining out than some people make in a month. That's just one example of many I can list.

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.