Female manager of restaurant told her salary will be cut in half despite the owners doing nothing to help the business, she quits: “I do not accept the pay cut”

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
May 3, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Welcome to Cheezcake, internet goers. Job security is everything. No one likes to feel like their job is on the line, that they could lose it at any time. In generations before us, such as boomers or gen x, it was encouraged to stay at a company for 20+ years to prove your worth there, and if you didn't they will always have the upper hand to let you go. These days, with the independent mindset and entitled attitude of gen z, the tables have turned, and many companies are struggling to keep constant employees. Reliability is difficult to come by in this economy, and the entire structure and system of work is not what it used to be. 

In the story below, the narrator is a woman who's going above and beyond at her workplace. She's the manager of a restaurant, which is not an easy job to do in any capacity. She works long hours, and has been a manager there for many years, even a decade. She claims that the owners aren't taking care of things as they should, and she lacks the power to make big changes. She's told that her salary will be cut in half, so she's obviously not pleased about this. She decides it's time to quit, and takes matters into her own hands. 

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  • 01

    AITAH for quitting my job when my boss just told me my salary is being cut in 1/2?

    Cheezburger Image 10499906048
    via Joshua Resnick / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I run a small restaurant that has not been doing great over the last 2 years. I have tried my best to do everything within my power to boost sales and get new customers, but the ownership refuses to advertise or to use social media appropriately (make a TikTok,
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795

  • It must be so discouraging to feel like you do extra for your business, and you only get the short end of the stick. Her owners don't care, and she's the only one holding up the business, but no one appreciates it or cares. She should get out of there and transfer somewhere that will be better for her. 

  • 03
    engage users, make events for specials). They also do not replace broken equipment. The ice machine has mold growing in it. The cooler doors fall off a few times a shift. One AC unit in the kitchen just doesn't work so it's always hot and uncomfortable for the cooks. I have been working there for 12 years and I love my job
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 04
    90% of the time, but yesterday I was told that my salary would be cut in half starting next pay period and they wanted ME to pick what my remaining responsibilities would be... keep in mind, I am the only manager and there is no chef.
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 05
    I manage all orders (be, li, r, w... and food), I plan special events (Thanksgiving dinners, be.. specials, etc), I cook when a kitchen guy is out sick, I bartend when noone can cover a shift, I am the electrician/plumber/HVAC/janitor/t herapist. I make all the schedules, do all the training, created the
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 06
    training program, pay the bills, the list goes on... The owners take extravagant trips yearly like going to the Paris Olympics or Scotland for a week. They spent 3 months in Europe two summers ago... while I ran their business. Now that the business is not doing so hot and I
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 07
    am the only salary employee, I have to give up half of my pay. I would go from 1800 per week to 900 and be forced to bartend to supplement my income.. which means my bartenders will make less money and have fewer shifts while I have to work more hours to get my other responsibilities taken care of.
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 08
    So I want to tell them that I do not accept the pay cut because I know I will still be responsible for all of the things ownership is going to neglect or forget to do... which I assume will mean I am fired/quit.
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 09
    Does that make me a selfish ah le? My husband says I should stick it out because I need the insurance, but I am tired of feeling like I have been taken advantage of.
    via u/Electrical-Ad9795
  • 10
    ToastetteEgg NTA. Think of it this way: You can stay at a sinking restaurant at half pay, or you can get a job at half pay in a thriving restaurant and work that pay up. You owe your
    via u/ToastetteEgg
  • 11
    employer nothing after what they did. They sure as h | aren't taking a 50% pay cut.
    via u/ToastetteEgg
  • 12
    Cala... Hi. I own a successful restaurant.Let me give you my perspective as a potential employer in your field:
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 13
    Cheezburger Image 10499905280
    via AleksandarNakic from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    Tell them you need the new offer in writing before you can figure out your new responsibilities. Then take that letter to the unemployment office and file for unemployment due to constructive dismissal.
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 15
    Unemployment will either give you your half of the wages back or give you leave to quit and collect unemployment while you find a new job. (USA)
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 16
    If you can do all of those things reliably, competently and on a schedule without any training or oversight, and if you can care that much about someone else's business, you can find a better job. The ship you are currently
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 17
    on is sinking. It's already sunk to the point where the mast is barely poking above the water and you're balanced on top on one foot. The owners do not give one single sh about that business. You will be losing your job anyway if you don't quit. One day soon, you
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10499904768
    via andresr from Getty Images Signature / Canva

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    will show up to work and the doors will be chained shut and a tax lien will be posted on the door.
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 20
    If you do decide to keep your job for the insurance, do exactly half the work you are doing now and give zero f S about the rest. Don't do work you aren't paid for. Make it their problem. They created the problem; they can solve it.
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 21
    But they won't. So your job will become to deal with angry people who didn't get paid/served/whatever. Aaaaand we're back to just quit.
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 22
    Please, for the love of justice and sanity, do not continue to keep this business running for $900/week. They do not deserve that from you. NTA
    via u/CalamityClambake
  • 23
    Madsmebc Doesn't this constitute constructive dismissal? I'd check into your local laws - at least that might get you compensation and unemployment insurance
    via u/Madsmebc
  • 24
    AccomplishedFace4... You need to call the health inspectors in if there is mold in the ice machine and stuff. Why are you still working there and why haven't you called them in knowing all of this? You're all lucky that someone didn't get sick and sue the restaurant
    via u/AccomplishedFace4534

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