Should I offer to take apay cut?

Patrick2008

Registered User
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I work for a Property development company and some of the Managers were asked to take a 10% pay cut about 6 months ago. They are with the company over 3 years. I joined the company in February 2008. I have not been asked to take a pay cut but I am wondering if I should offer to take a pay cut or should I just keep my mouth shut?
 
Don't offer. If the company need to then they will ask. It might be a case that the others are on much bigger salary.?
 
I think if you can manage it, it's a good gesture and may get you brownie points down the line. Obviously, if you think you will struggle - don't offer.
 
I am the only Quantity Surveyor in the company and before I came on bord they had to outsource this role. This was costing them anything from €200k-€500k in fees annually. I know things are alot quieter than last year but at the same time I feel I am saving them money as I am on nowhere near those figures. At the same time I am glad to have a job at the moment and I know a good few of my friends in the industry have since been made redundant and cannotf ind jobs at home and abroad.
 
I think if you can manage it, it's a good gesture and may get you brownie points down the line. Obviously, if you think you will struggle - don't offer.

Great, brownie points, where can they be cashed in?
 
why on earth would you offer to take a pay cut?
 
The implication being that money is your only motivation in employment I guess? I'd prefer to think longer term, especially these days.

I would never offer to take a pay cut, no. If the company are in a bad position and asked me to take one I would. But no one should work for "brownie points".
 
Caveat. I take your point but unfortunately the construction industry is very cyclical so we have to "make hay while the sun shines". If a Property developer is not generating an income then they are left with no choice but to cut costs. We are okay at the moment as our company bought land for development over 20 years ago so the land is paid for. Thus, we can drop the prices of our houses lower than our competitors. However, in the current market people are not buying houses regardless of the price
 
But no one should work for "brownie points".

I'm not suggesting they do. I'm suggesting they work for their agreed salary less 10% - if and only if they can afford it. A gesture like this would never be forgotten.
 
I'm not suggesting they do. I'm suggesting they work for their agreed salary less 10% - if and only if they can afford it. A gesture like this would never be forgotten.

Most people can afford a drop but that doesnt mean they should offer to take a drop. I don't think the gesture is worth much, if it comes to it and the company need to make you redundant these feel-good factors are meaningless.

On the flip side would think its a good idea to offer to work an extra 4 hours a week unpaid?
 
I'm not suggesting they do. I'm suggesting they work for their agreed salary less 10% - if and only if they can afford it. A gesture like this would never be forgotten.

Or it might be forgotten in a week.
Say nothing. You may be drawing unnecessary attention to yourself
by making the suggestion.
Keep your head down and work hard.
 
On the flip side would think its a good idea to offer to work an extra 4 hours a week unpaid?

Yes, maybe a better idea - amounts to the same thing.

However in the current climate he may be working (unpaid) well over the standard hours anyway.
 
Most Companies by now will have assessed the impact on costs of the current economic downturn. If they haven't they would be mad. From this they will identify cost saving measures that need to be put in place. This will include all the normal things, pay cuts, no overtime, reduced working week, redundancy etc etc.

If you havent been asked yet, lucky you. That either means you are safe or you are safe for now. I would not offer up anything at this stage, wait and see how thing pan out.

Craig
 
Thanks for all your replies. I think I will keep my mouth shutfor now and keep my head down. The ironic thing is that I am directly involved in making cost savings across the company but I fee a bit of a hypocrit considering I am not taking a pay cut. However, in saying that, my employer has not suggested anything in terms of me taking a pay cut so I will wait for him to make the suggestion if and when he decides to do so.