Flexible working / pay cut

lyndsey80

We had a meeting yesterday saying we are not making enough money blah blah blah. Anyway, they said that only part of our company (The buildings section) will be asked to be flexible and take a pay cut. The structures side in our office need to reduce costs by 10% per month and the other side of the office need to reduce costs by 5%. So, we have been asked to take a 5% cut, but then after that there is a second stage, only for one half asking if they want to do 9 day fortnight, 4 day week or sabbaticals. So, in effect, people could have a 15-25% pay cut!! I don't know why they couldn't have asked people to take 10% and be done with it.
So, I already work 7 days a week, doing 2 jobs as I can't live off 1 salary. I also have started doing Avon. Therefore I can't accept a pay cut. They said if people don't accept then the director will call them in and ask why - do I have to tell them? Surely it's personal!!!
So I have not accepted the pay cut and also said I can't accept the other options. They have given us 3 days to make this decision and it will come to affect from June 1st!!! After they told us EIGHT weeks ago this MAY happen. I think it's bad that they are now trying to rush it!
I don't want to be victimised, but fear I will be. Luckily I have 2 interviews lined up, so I could even be in a position to hand my notice in by then!!
Suppose after all this waffle, what I really want to know is, does this all seem fair and reasonable?

woody01

I would expect if people say no then redundancy will be enforced.

lyndsey80

I think there may be redundancies anyway, especially if we don't win this job we are waiting to hear from at the end of June.
I have held my pension, which was 3% contribution and have now had an e-mail saying, if you can hold your pension, then in theory you can take your 5% pay cut (Not quite so blunt). So I am going to say I can take 3%, I really am not in a financial position to take any more, as I said before, I work 2 jobs and do Avon to get by.
But another question is, they said it would be this 1 department in the whole company, but I know that 1 lady who is 33% allocated to us doesn't have a form to make these options. Am I within my right to question this? The Directors say we can approach them and ask them anything, but not sure if I am over stepping the mark? I am annoyed as I do the work that is within her job description, she is meant to be doing it, but I am not the sort of person to say "That's not my job". I even do work for other offices when they are busy as I hate having nothing to do, but am wondering why I am doing this for her if she's not included in the consultation. She works in another office and is meant to be here 1 day a week, she's not. And don't think if I got made redundant (Which I fear could happen if I am being obstructive) she would work in this office as it's too far for her.
I am not going to name names, just ask for clarification that EVERYONE in this department is being involved in this consultation, even if they are only partly allocated? Is that fair?

getmore4less

You should be able to ask anything, how questions are handled can be a good indicator of fairness.

One option if there are a few people involved is to hold a meeting and get a list of questions from everyone and present them as a group so anonymous as far as they can be.

In difficult times companies should involve the staff to explore the options.

There might be people that want to leave or are prepared to take a bigger cut than others or even some extended time off, perhaps during the school holidays.

The other thing is to check your benifits and tax credits are correct, doing 3 jobs to make ends meet is taking on a lot.

lyndsey80

I am in a bit of debt, bought a house and live on my own, it's my own fault I know, but am doing something about it, which is the main thing. I am not entitled to any kind of tax credit unfortunately.
They have asked AFTER the pay cuts for sabbaticals, cut hours, which is a bit of a double blow for us.
My main concern is this other person not getting a form. I think I am going to talk to the Director and say I am doing part of her job and don't think it's fair - in a diplomatic way of course!!