I know this is a weird topic but I am tired of searching the web.

Today my boss came into my office and told me that the company was going to reduce my pay by 17%. I asked him what would happen if I didn't accept the wage reduction. He told me I could resign if I don't like it.

I don't make a lot of money and I don't know if I can survive on the reduction. I think he wanted me to thank him because he "fought" for the 17% because corporate told him to do 20%. And he was nice enough to get it moved to an effective date of the 12th instead of Friday.

 If they would have laid me off at least I would have some money coming in while I looked for something else. This way makes me feel trapped.

The Ohio website is meesed up and when you click on the wage and hour tab it goes to the prevailing wage page.

I know all states are different but does anyone know if employees have any rights or do we have to bend over and take it?

Thanks for any help.

Keep an eye on the Flea Market I may be having to do some serious liquidation!

sorry about that man just keep searching for a new one.. and if u flea market stuff let me know. im a tackel junkie. lol

Yea they can and most of the time when this happens the company is already in trouble. In NC you can go ahead and quit and still draw unemployment for 28 weeks and I think this holds so in most states.

I hired a fellow a few weeks back and he worked four weeks and it just wasn't working out. I let him go and he is now drawing like $285 a

week for twenty eight weeks. This money is charged to my account that I pay quarterly and it will up my unemployment rate. He is still working for himself and getting paid cash so he is doing pretty good.

If you are in a management position or a non-union company, the answer is yes; you bend over and take it.

Good Luck, hope you can find something better with more money.

My recommendation is to bend over and take it and then start looking for another job.  It's obvious the company does not want to lay you off because you are either a very valued employee, or they don't want to pay any severance pay.  It would depend on how long you have been with the company.  Also, if you get laid off, you are eligible for unemployment insurance.  In reality, your employer has to pay that bill also because of an increase in Unemployment Insurance rates.  You are still drawing a salary, although it is greatly reduced.  Use this time to find another job.  The job pays a lot more than your unemployment checks would.

When I worked in ad/marketing, there was a creative director who instead of quitting, just stopped showing up one day. He checked to see how getting fired effected his contract with the company, and then just stopped coming to work.

He used that time to find something else, and forced the company to either pay him the severance or keep him on payroll for doing nothing.

Talk directly to a State Employment Agency Employee and get the policy in writing. None of us are experts and listening to some advice here might leave you unemployed with no income,

  Thanks for all the great advice. Even though the Ohio website was messed up I looked at some other states and it seems that at will employment states are pretty much the same and my option is to take the cut or quit.

  I worked for a family owned business for 18 years and in April they sold out to a national company. All of our time/seniority was supposed to  come with us. Yesterday I found out I was classified as an entry level manager and thus the paycut.

  I don't know who to vote for in November but whomever ends up in the Whitehouse better make it a priority to get jobs back in the USA.

 Thanks again for all of the input.

Sorry to hear of your bad news.

Unfortunately, you may as well grab your ankles and take it. At least you have a salary that is probably better than unemployment, and more than likely you have benefits that you won't have if you quit. My advise is, stay where you are and look for better employment, while still collecting a check.

My wife is a Human Resource Systems Specialist for the largest ad agency in Michigan. She suggests you continue to work, because quitting doesn't look good on a resume, according to the recruiters in her office.

Good luck,

Falcon

Yeah, I would continue to work and get out and get a new job. Buyouts always suck. I was with a company that got swallowed up and they offered us $100 retention bonuses (80% payable after 10 months, 20% at 12 months). I did not last long but when I left I gave them 3 weeks notice, and the employer I went to was really impressed with that.

Good luck man. Out of curiosity, what field do you work in?

At will states have you over a barrell from the day you start. Talk to an employment attorney to get your options. There are loop holes that may help some. If your company has picked on you(as the only one required to take a cut) you may have options. Get experienced help.

Good luck.

Have your ducks in a row and be prepared to verify your job duties and the calipher of work that you performed while working for them.

I'm with Long Mike.  Just accept it and search for another job.  If you fight this, there would likely be a very strained relationship with your superiors and you might find yourself forced to quit in the future.  Then, there's no chance at unemployment and no job.

Also, for what it's worth consider these options for survival on the lower salary:

-Cut out the cable/satellite TV (if you're not under contract) and watch local antenna channels.

-Cut your cell service/home phone to minimum (or cut out one all together; maybe you don't need a home phone.

-Eat out less, no more movies/movie rentals, etc.

-If you have a note on a car and can get out from under it, sell it and pay cash for a used vehicle.

-Lower your utility bills (thermostat at 80, cold-water washing, etc.)

Overall, cut your budget back to NEEDS, not WANTS.

Good luck through all of this.  Be aggressive at looking for a new job and remain upbeat.  This is only temporary.