Asked to give up pay.

[meril888]

Pennsylvania.
I have been working for my company for nearly 7 years. We are one of a parent company that has facilities across the US. I have never had a written performance evaluation, though we are given at risk goals for potential bonus pay. I am one of four managers. The business is not performing well this first quarter in all departments. I was asked to forfeit nearly 10% of my salary to create a position for someone to "help" increase revenue in a particular budget line. None of the other managers were asked to do the same, nor was my manager. I was asked to decide what I would be comfortable forfeiting, but I feel that this is ultimately an effort to oust me. The other employees in the same position at the other facilities managed by the parent company have a starting salary significantly less than what I started at 7 years ago. I was not coached on performance improvement prior to having this request made of me. In the past 7 years, I have been part of the team that increased revenue every year, though the overall budget may not have been met. I was told specifically that they want me to agree an amount so that I am still "happy" and that they won't have to look for someone to replace me. I don't want to take a pay cut, I feel singled out, and like I have a target on my back. If I do not take the cut, I feel that I will be micromanaged until I am forced out, and if I do take it and things don't change, I am still out. I feel like it is a no win. I have never had conflict with my manager, coworkers, or employees, in fact, I worked for my supervisor at a younger age in the past, and he rehired me in this position.

 

[CSO286]

Pennsylvania.
I have been working for my company for nearly 7 years. We are one of a parent company that has facilities across the US. I have never had a written performance evaluation, though we are given at risk goals for potential bonus pay. I am one of four managers. The business is not performing well this first quarter in all departments. I was asked to forfeit nearly 10% of my salary to create a position for someone to "help" increase revenue in a particular budget line. None of the other managers were asked to do the same, nor was my manager. I was asked to decide what I would be comfortable forfeiting, but I feel that this is ultimately an effort to oust me. The other employees in the same position at the other facilities managed by the parent company have a starting salary significantly less than what I started at 7 years ago. I was not coached on performance improvement prior to having this request made of me. In the past 7 years, I have been part of the team that increased revenue every year, though the overall budget may not have been met. I was told specifically that they want me to agree an amount so that I am still "happy" and that they won't have to look for someone to replace me. I don't want to take a pay cut, I feel singled out, and like I have a target on my back. If I do not take the cut, I feel that I will be micromanaged until I am forced out, and if I do take it and things don't change, I am still out. I feel like it is a no win. I have never had conflict with my manager, coworkers, or employees, in fact, I worked for my supervisor at a younger age in the past, and he rehired me in this position.

Ok.....So what, exactly, is your question?

 

[meril888]

I guess my question is, do I have a leg to stand on if I decline the demotion? Or is this just something that happens in business, get rid of the high paid experience and pay someone peanuts for a better looking P&L? I don't want to play the gender/age thing, but I don't think any man in the company would be asked to forfeit pay to create a position for a woman. Thank you for your reply.

 

[cbg]

You mean, is there a law that says they have to leave you in your current position and your current rate of pay if you decline?

No, there isn't. Your job, and your pay, are what your employer says they are.

Now, that being said, if you had to guess (no prompting from the peanut gallery, please) why do you believe your employer has chosen you for this?

 

[meril888]

Trying not to make this too lengthy. I am paid significantly more than the comparable employees in my position at other facilities within the parent company. However, I have been there 7 years and the others have not been in position more than 2. We are 11 years into business in a rural area, and our business is driven by membership. Our pool of membership potentials has decreased, and it is increasingly difficult to grow at the pace we did 6 or 7 years ago. I was told that "we" should pick a number that I am comfortable giving up that won't make me look for another job. The person who I would be giving up 10% for, will have the job of assisting me to increase a specific revenue line. He is my subordinate, but earns close to what I earn, as he really hustles with his commissionable hours. Great employee. Clearly, this is a sign that I should start to look. Since I joined the current team, we have made a profit every year, we have grown membership, and I have innovated new programs. Despite the first quarter performance that we all take responsibility for, I was the only manager asked to take a pay cut. We have had tough quarters in the past, and nothing this radical has ever been proposed.

 

[ShyCat]

Trying not to make this too lengthy. I am paid significantly more than the comparable employees in my position at other facilities within the parent company. However, I have been there 7 years and the others have not been in position more than 2. We are 11 years into business in a rural area, and our business is driven by membership. Our pool of membership potentials has decreased, and it is increasingly difficult to grow at the pace we did 6 or 7 years ago. I was told that "we" should pick a number that I am comfortable giving up that won't make me look for another job. The person who I would be giving up 10% for, will have the job of assisting me to increase a specific revenue line. He is my subordinate, but earns close to what I earn, as he really hustles with his commissionable hours. Great employee. Clearly, this is a sign that I should start to look. Since I joined the current team, we have made a profit every year, we have grown membership, and I have innovated new programs. Despite the first quarter performance that we all take responsibility for, I was the only manager asked to take a pay cut. We have had tough quarters in the past, and nothing this radical has ever been proposed.

Logically, you are presumably the "only manager asked to take a pay cut" precisely because you are "paid significantly more".

 

[cbg]

Okay, this is one of those situations where the reason makes a difference to the legality, which is why I asked. However, this is also a reason which is legal. So your options are to accept the new position and new rate of pay, or find other work. Your employer's request is legal and there are no laws you can invoke that will force them to leave you in your current position/current rate.

Sorry.