'Did you get a pay rise or cut in 2009?' poll discussion

guestjim

glossyhair wrote: »

I took a 20% reduction in hours and pay in August 2008 and still my contract was not renewed from end of April 2009. Been unemployed ever since :(



You are obviously employed or you wouldn't make such a flippant remark. Finding a job ain't that easy Poppy!!!:mad::mad:

I am fully qualified in two professions and have been unable to secure a role in either . . . even for substantially less pay than I was getting before! So please don't come on here and bash people like me who have to exist on the megre JSA allowance. It's not through choice or lack of effort. :eek::eek:

I'd LOVE to have a job to go to . . .

I know this from two sides. I was looking for a job for two years - in pre-recession times even worse now - and only got one by chance and not from my intensive search efforts. [Part-time unpaid work was changed to full-time paid.] It is not easy to get a job that will pay the mortgage and other expenses, and living on social benefits is hell.

Now I am in work I see the numbers who apply for jobs and many follow all the right techniques as advised by ‘experts’ to get it. But it is an avalanche of applications. [To the extent that instead of advertising we try to use connections to seek a suitable applicant out.]

In summary it is not easy to get a job - perhaps more so for 'executives' - and it is a horrid existence on benefits. Nobody stays on benefits gladly

littlemissbossy

I was on a 4 day week most of last year and have now been put on a 3 day week - but I've still got a job at least.

pinkfluffybabe

Voluntary sector - no cost of living increase but moved up a rung on the incremental scale.

Can't vote because our sector has been ignored in the poll :mad: bad form indeed!

cw18

No options in the poll for me !!!

I lost my (well paid) job in Nov 2008, and started a new (less hours and much lower hourly rate) job in Nov 2009.

So an increase in income during 2009 (I didn't qualify for means tested benefits other than CTC before I got the job, but now have the salary plus WTC coming in), but as it's not extra from a source I was already getting an income from I can't actually declare it as a 'pay rise'.

And as my hourly rate is slightly above minimum wage rates, I can't say whether or not the company gave a pay rise in 2009 (would have been before I started working for them).



I see someone else mentioned the lack of a category for pension income though -- I get a widows pension from a company scheme, plus WPA from the State (reason I got no means tested benefits), and had small increases on both of these in April 2009.

gailehughes

Public Sector - working for a GP - pay freeze last year and looks like another pay freeze this year - but we did get extra stress last year, and extra stress this year!!!

jfdi

Public Sector - 3rd year with no rise. (And no, I'm not a Manager or summat like that!)

Carnaby_lamb

This poll may be swayed by the amount of us on minimum wage, which effectively takes no account of the sector you work on.

Penny_pincher_4

I took up a higher paid job in the same company - pay rise included. At the end of my probation period, 31.01.2010, my pay will increase again with my next paycheque at the end of February. This increase will be above the agreed limit as I have re-negotiated in December.

However, it's not all easy days: My travelling time, distance and costs, i. e. petrol, as well as my working hours have increased as well.

Instead of a 16 mile return trip to work it is now a 60 mile trip.
Instead of 20 minutes each way it now takes me 45 minutes to 1 hour each way depending on traffic on the A5.
Instead of working Mon - Fri 2pm - 10.30pm I am now working on rotating shifts: 1 month 2pm - 10pm, then the next month 6am - 2pm then it swaps again. My weekly hours have gone up from 40 to 50-ish.
And instead of £80 to fill up my car per month it now costs me around £180 - £200 per month.

However, I'will be moving nearer to work this year - hopefully thus cutting costs again.

elmccw

Global_D wrote: »

I work for an architectural firm and the construction industry has been hit really hard.

Jan 09 - Pay Freeze

May-Sep 09 - 3 day week (essentially a 40% pay cut for 3 1/2 months)

Sep 09 - 5 day week but @ 90% pay

Jan 10 - Pay freeze at 90% pay

I also work for an architectural firm

June 09-5% pay cut plus no employer pension contributions.

Nov 09- Further 10% pay cut.


ey sti

irishwench69

I got a freeze in Jan 09, but just got a rise in Jan 10 (I work in the private sector).

My OH works in architecture - truly an awful time at the moment for that particular industry. He's had a 10% paycut for all of last year, and no prospect of that lifting. No bonuses or pension contributions either....

Feel for all those currently out of work or struggling - so much for the miracle of being out of recession

IW x