'My boss cut my salary in half': Employee demoted despite having to do the same tasks and responsibilities, internet reacts

Author image for Ben Weiss
Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 1, 2023 2:00 PM EDT

It doesn't get more insulting than this. This employee hadn't received a performance review despite having worked at his small firm for over four years. On the day of said review, the other coworkers in the office were told to leave early. That was the first red flag right there! When the meeting finally happened, the Redditor learned that they were being demoted despite being tasked with the exact same responsibilities. To make matters worse, their salary would be cut in half.

 

OP accepted the offer for infuriating reasons you can read about below. He did manage to advocate for a check-in after a month in the new position. However, now that it has been a month and no such check-in has occurred, it's time for this employee to start seriously considering looking for another job. When that job comes, he should definitely leave without notice.

 

For more stories like this, check out this post about a messy office after the cleaning lady quit!

Advertisement
  • 01
    Plant - My boss cut my salary in half. I can't wait to be out of this situation. I feel forced to stay because I need the health insurance coverage and have already paid thousands out of pocket to satisfy the high- deductible insurance plan and to get coverage for specialty medications.
    via Copernico
  • 02
    Font - My boss cut my salary in half. I can't wait to be out of this situation. I feel forced to stay because I need the health insurance coverage and have already paid thousands out of pocket to satisfy the high- deductible insurance plan and to get coverage for specialty medications.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 03
    Font - My boss runs their own small firm. Small team. My boss is HR, judge, jury, and executioner. I work directly under my boss in an environment and work relationship that would make the writers of The Devil Wears Prada cry.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 04
    Font - My boss invited my coworkers to go home early on the day of my performance review (which was at 3:30pm), unbeknownst to me, and they all awkwardly left, albeit failing to make it look casual. Unbothered by it yet curious, I texted a coworker, "Did [boss] tell you to leave early today?" and never got a response. I still don't know if they were pre-warned on what was going to take place.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 05
    Font - This is the first performance review I've had in 4 years I've been with the company. Prior to it, I filled out a "self appraisal" questionnaire and my coworkers (who I don't work on any projects with nor do I talk to other than at the water station) filled it out as well, rating my skills and providing commentary.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 06
    Font - I came ready to highlight project successes with examples, metrics, and client testimonials of a job well done, but it didn't matter. The outcome for this performance review had already been decided by my boss. And it was dismal and downright insulting. Despite me saying that I didn't feel the proposed changes reflected my experience, continued growth, and contribution to the firm's continued success over the past 4 years.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 07
    Font - In efforts to keep this post from being too long, I'll sum it up here. She demoted me, disguised by a new position that hadn't ever existed, created because she "liked me." The salary was cut in half. Take it or there's the door. I felt cornered. I need health insurance. So I signed. The only thing I had the foresight to request was that we revisit the job position details after a month. It's been a month.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 08
    Font - My job duties have not changed. My boss took a thesaurus and picked the dumbest options for each verb to justify the pay cut on paper. My output has not changed. Demands of time and skill sets have not changed. Client interaction has not changed. Even my LinkedIn title hasn't changed. Yet I now make less than the new college graduate I trained in last year. Thanks for reading.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 09
    Font - casual_creator. 14 hr. ago This was a constructive dismissal. They were 100% trying to get you to quit so they wouldn't have to fire you and deal with unemployment. That's why the other workers were told to leave early - so they wouldn't witness any fallout.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 10
    Font - Start looking for another job. NOW. Then leave that company with no notice; they don't deserve any. 315 Reply Share
    via u/fantomefille
  • 11
    Font - neekogo 15 hr. ago Start applying to other jobs. Kep your (former) job title on your resume. When you get a better offer don't bother giving a 2 week notice. 224 Reply Share
    via u/fantomefille
  • 12
    Rectangle - Kevaldes 15 hr. ago No notice, and do not respond to any calls, texts, or emails. Just vanish. 133 Reply Share
    via u/fantomefille
  • 13
    Font - wlfwrtr 13 hr. ago Check with unemployment, often if your hours or pay are cut you can qualify for partial unemployment. Also check into medical assistance. With your pay cut you may qualify and not have to worry about insurance.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 14
    Facial expression - Ok-Debt-5117. 14 hr. ago Start doing half the work you used too until you find another job www.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 15
    Font - tesseract_sky 13 hr. ago Act your wage. Do the absolute minimum and go as slow as you can. Force their hand to fire you. If they give you another contract to sign simply say "no thank you". Unless you have a contract with a timeline, you never have to agree to new terms, and don't sign anything that puts you at a disadvantage. Remember this "if I don't sign this you're going to have to fire me in writing".
    via u/fantomefille
  • 16
    Font - Suspicious-Bed9172 12 hr. ago Time to do 1/2 the work while you look for a new job, make sure you leave with absolutely no notice except maybe a sarcastic note on her desk
    via u/fantomefille
  • 17
    Font - Alaskerian 14 hr. ago Every workday going forward you have a new task: Apply to a position outside the company - from your desk. If this feels wrong, then apply to 2 positions so your new promotion/raise comes more quickly.
    via u/fantomefille
  • 18
    Font - kiwimuz 14 hr. ago If they had any issues with your work it should have been raised before an employment review. I'd go to an employment lawyer as this stinks of unjust treatment. I'd also look for somewhere else to work where you will be appreciated.
    via u/fantomefille

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

workplace-stories employee fired work stories toxic-workplace job work quit reddit thread Reddit quitting toxic-work-environment
Scroll Down For The Next Article