> asked what happens if one were not to sign, and the response was "Oh, we haven't thought about that. We're hoping that everyone pulls together."
My next question would be "what are the benefits of taking a pay cut?"
Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
41–50 of 67 posts
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#42I was working for a small web-dev shop during the 2008 crash and took a pay cut at the time. I knew the owners pretty well (they worked in the office too, at desks just behind mine), and knew the business was under a lot of pressure, so I didn't begrudge it. Working anywhere else meant a much longer commute, so I stayed ... until they paid me late one month and I found another job and left. Again I didn't hold it against them personally, but not-getting-paid would have been a big deal for me and my family, and getting paid late meant the risk had gotten too high for me. The business turned the corner eventually and is still going, but I actually enjoyed the other job much more and the move ended up being a big leap forward for me career-wise
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#43I would take the pay cut and use the working hours to get prepared for future tech interviews. In any case, I guess you don’t want to work for them anymore.
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#44I was in a similar situation in April 2020. I think we had to sign a 20% pay cut. COVID having just started, I signed. After 6 months, they reverted the salary, but I left shortly after. I still regret signing the pay cut
We had a 20% pay cut for covid in 2020, but they also cut hours 20%.
It was actually pretty nice.
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#45Forget about the company, this boils down to choices. Can you get another job relatively easy within a month, or for as long as you can finance your unemployment? If the answer is no, you need the job and most likely should take the pay cut. Whatever your choice will be, it's time to start looking for a new job. The behavior you describe in your employer sounds to me like they don't put value in employees.
> Whatever your choice will be, it's time to start looking for a new job. The behavior you describe in your employer sounds to me like they don't put value in employees. Well even that aside, when your employer has known money issues, especially to the extent that they're struggling to pay staff, ... Hopefully OP won't need it, but I wouldn't wait for the company to go belly up to start looking personally.
It doesnt seem like they are struggling to pay staff, at least in context of what he said.
What would be your alternative. I'm guessing they are taking measures to not lay off more than 10% of people. Is there a win/win scenario here?
I'm more curious than anything to be honest.
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#46Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#47I was in a similar situation in April 2020. I think we had to sign a 20% pay cut. COVID having just started, I signed. After 6 months, they reverted the salary, but I left shortly after. I still regret signing the pay cut
We had a 20% pay cut for covid in 2020, but they also cut hours 20%. It was actually pretty nice.
If they had cut our hours too, I wouldn't have gone back to the normal salary :)) but we were still expected to work 40 hours a week.
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#48I was in a similar situation in April 2020. I think we had to sign a 20% pay cut. COVID having just started, I signed. After 6 months, they reverted the salary, but I left shortly after. I still regret signing the pay cut
How did the pay cut influence your quality of life during those months?
Not at all. But I'm pissed off that I stayed in a crappy job for worse pay.
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Whatever your choice will be, it's time to start looking for a new job. The behavior you describe in your employer sounds to me like they don't put value in employees. Well even that aside, when your employer has known money issues, especially to the extent that they're struggling to pay staff, ... Hopefully OP won't need it, but I wouldn't wait for the company to go belly up to start looking personally.
It doesnt seem like they are struggling to pay staff, at least in context of what he said. What would be your alternative. I'm guessing they are taking measures to not lay off more than 10% of people. Is there a win/win scenario here? I'm more curious than anything to be honest.
You think they're cutting pay because despite having no problem affording it, they're.. what, concerned they're offering above market rate?
I'm not claiming to have a good alternative for a company in trouble, I'm just saying if my employer is the company showing signs of trouble like that I'm going to start looking around.
Re: Ask HN: Should I sign a pay cut agreement?
#50In the US they don't do this. The thinking is someone getting a lower salary and the same job will not be very motivated. It's better to just get them go and keep other employees at their same level or higher.
It all depends on if your billable. If rates are going down than to keep the margin you have you have to cut pay.