I have't received a pay cut...yet. They are cutting benefits constantly, health insurance goes up 10-20% per year, and the employee bonus program has been completely cancelled so that even if we do well, there will be no bonus. Bonus program for senior management has not been cut however.
I have a contract signed by my employer and I that gives me 5 extra paid vacation days per year. I have been told by HR that it will no longer be honored. It was interesting as the weasel from HR told me that the signed document I possessed was not really a contract, but only an agreement. I asked what is the difference between a signed agreement and a contract and she abruptly ended the meeting. I could easily take them to court, but of course I would be fired. There is an unconditional hiring freeze and people are starting to leave, but they cannot be replaced so all their work gets dumped on the rest of us.
Raises are very poor (if we get them) but my cost of living, especially taxes, insurance and basic living expenses, is going up far faster than my wages, which means I am in reality, getting a pay cut every year.
The cuts don't bother me nearly as much as the unethical behavior. We tell our customers that ethics is our highest priority. Complete nonsense. They have killed my loyalty and comittment to this company for sure. This has actually been a positive benefit for me. I used to have genuine care and concern for costs and quality and would often worry about work projects during my off hours. Not any more. I have cut back my hours (I'm on salary) and I don't worry much any more when projects are late or screwed up. That kind of attitude is against my personal ethical standards, but since the company has dropped their ethical standards, I did as well. When it comes to solving problems, I am satisfied by just figuring out how to solve it. Implementing the solution is not my problem any more. I no longer push to solve problems. If I'm asked to do it, OK, but no more initiative.
I'm not against pay cuts when they are really necessary and I realize that sometimes they are.. It's sometimes just part of the ups and downs of business. However, when they stick it to the working man and pull that kind of petty crap, I'm not going to just bow my head and take it. Costs to run our facility are in excess of $55k per day and we work on a cost plus basis, so taking vacation away from me or refusing to give us a small yearly bonus is not even making a dent in the bottom line.
This is just the beginning I'm afraid. There is more to come. I expect some serious times are ahead for the US economy in the coming years.
