Company forces employees to re-apply for their jobs at an $8k salary cut: 'I've been there 6 years. Built entire systems, trained new staff, covered shifts constantly'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Nov 9, 2025 10:00 PM EST

Honesty is always the best policy, in most every occasion. People value transparency because if you know exactly what is going on, you're less likely to be upset about it. Nobody likes feeling duped. It makes us feel like we've been taken advantage of because someone thinks they know better than we do. It's an insult to our intelligence and our self-respect. But if you leave everything out in the open, then you can never truly go wrong, especially in the workplace. 

But this doesn't always happen. Sometimes companies will try to get the better of you without you knowing it. This is why it's vital to be educated in all the ways someone can try to take advantage of your work. You have to be able to smell a rat when one appears. That's why online communities can be helpful. One employee learned that after their company tried to pull some tricky business on them. They were offended at the prospect of being asked to reapply, and imagined that there might be something deeper at play here. 

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  • A woman looks confused at a paper on her desk.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Applying for jobs is rough business. But what about applying to a job that you already have? That's downright inhuman. But that's what one company asked their employees to do so that they could ultimately give them a pay cut. But they weren't going to take it in stride. Scroll on to find out what happened. 

  • My employer is making us reapply for our own jobs at a lower pay grade...

    So our company "restructured" and now existing employees have to formally reapply for positions. Same job, same responsibilities. But here's the kicker the posted salary is $8k less than what we're currently making.
    via u/Camm210
  • I've been there 6 years. Built entire systems, trained new staff, covered shifts constantly. Now I'm competing against external candidates and being told I need to "prove my value" at a rate that's below what I was hired at. They're banking on people being too scared to leave or thinking this is normal. It's not. This is wage theft with extra steps.
    via u/Camm210
  • Update: Talked to two coworkers. Same situation. We're all looking elsewhere now.
    via u/Camm210
  • A woman looks confused and frustrated at her desk.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Commenters agreed that there might be something more going on here.

    virgilreality 24m ago • If you don't reapply, will they fire you? Wouldn't they have to pay unemployment for you? It sounds like they are trying to get you to quit. The term you (and your attorney) are looking for is "Constructive Dismissal".
    via u/virgilreality
  • Camm210 OP. 20m ago Oh I hadn't heard that term before but that's exactly what it feels like. They're banking on people just accepting it. I'm definitely going to look into that angle.
    via u/Camm210
  • Sure_Acanthaceae... 21m ago While you're looking for a new job, make sure you act your wage. Good luck. This sucks.
    via u/Sure_Acanthaceae_348
  • Camm210 OP • 19m ago . For real. I'm not busting my ass for the reduced rate. Minimum effort until I'm out. Already started applying places yesterday.
    via u/Camm210
  • DuncanEllis1977 · 23m ago If you have to reapply for your job, I believe you're legally being laid off at the cut off date. Depends on the state. You may want to consult with a lawyer.
    via u/DuncanEllis1977
  • Some corporations love to do this, eliminating old positions. and opening new ones that people have to apply to. But remember, YOU'RE NOT QUITTING, your job is being eliminated and you're being laid off.
    via u/DuncanEllis1977
  • kden-underwater 18m ago theyre trying to get you to quit. i suggest you work until they fire you, dont reapply. theyll possibly pay severance, plus you can get unemployment.
    via u/kden-underwater
  • HalfSoul30. 13m ago Get everyone together, and no one reapply. Impromptu union, baby!
    via u/HalfSoul30
  • FarmyardFantastic 18m ago Go through the interview to waste their time
    via u/FarmyardFantastic
  • Circussssssssssss... .14m ago Depending on jurisdiction, refuse Backhanded way of getting. around laws which ban violation of employment contract. In most jurisdictions with worker protections the employer cant lower your
    via u/Circusssssssssssssss
  • wage arbitrarily. They have to fire you, and then you get government benefits (or private compensation). This is their way of getting around that, making you "reapply"
    via u/Circusssssssssssssss
  • Grouchy_Friendshi....12m ago Whoa. That's fucking crazy.
    via u/Grouchy_Friendship_9
  • Agent-c1983 • 11m ago Have a chat with a friendly local employment lawyer to learn what rights you have where you live.
    via u/Agent-c1983
  • memphisjones • 10m ago . Or just work at the level they set it. Don't go the extra mile anymore. Do the bare minimum.
    via u/memphisjones
  • MNConcerto • 7m ago I remember a story out of India where this occurred, the workers pulled the manager or owner out of the office and beat him to death. Not saying this is the answer but........ Also this is basically being. laid off, you can claim unemployment.
    via u/MNConcerto
  • Stompy1983.7m ago If we think about the vp or manager who's got this idea, how scums of the society do you have to be to think of doing this to your employees. I'd suggest to sign nothing. and continue doing your job until they fire you. If financially your are ok then get unemployment for a few months (take it like paid vacation) and find something else
    via u/Stompy1983
  • MurkDiesel • 7m ago what did you think was going to happen in capitalism? you want to get paid and so do they they're not banking on people being too scared to leave
    via u/MurkDiesel
  • they're counting on you and the two workers leaving this is intentional and they will continue to exist and profit and then do it all over again in 5-6 years this is how the game is played
    via u/MurkDiesel
  • emceelokey 1m ago. . Reapply, go through all the BS while also applying elsewhere. Keep this job if you have to until you get something better. When you do something better, just leave. Leave them hanging. and have them figure out their bullshit. Who cares! That's not a place you'll want to go back to anyway.
    via u/emceelokey
  • RiskShuffler67 1m ago This management doesn't deserve any workers at all. Walk.
    via u/RiskShuffler67

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