Moral Dilemma

I just got a performance bonus at work, after I was made redundant (job ends at the end of this month) after 9 years.

If you work in a good company with a nice working environment in a solid team where success is measured on the success of the team and the company, then consider that in your decision. (Probably go w/the 4-day week.)

But if you work in a place where there is an unhealthy competition between team members (which is often fostered by the company...), or you aren't appreciated for the work you do (you are "carrying" your coworkers), then definitely go for the 5-day week.

Good luck.

I think the first question I would ask myself is; are there any people in the organisation who, to coin a phrase, are wasters.

If there are is there a chance that they could be "removed" by redundency. If there is I would vote no and hope thay they are targeted. This way the orgainsation is stronger and the option of a 4 day week is still avaliable in the future if things get worse.

Otherwise the best option is probably to try to retain the most skills in the organisation, by keeping all of the people.

For me it would depend on how confident I was that the management could arrange their redundency selection criteria to target the right people.

I have been in the position managing a couple of redundency excersies in both cases one of the option of a 4 day week was requested by the unions, but turned down, mainly so that some dead wook could be removed.

What an awful situation for you to be in! I think you have to go with your gut feelings on this one. Gut feelings for me would be "can I afford to lose that much money and if I do am I still going to comfortably be able to meet my monthly outgoings".

If you decide to vote against the 4 day week don`t feel guilty, you are only being asked your preference. Best of luck hun x

[Ruffy]

Call me a cynic if you like, but:
1. It seems that the boss has abdicated from making a mangement decision and placed all the stress and angst onto the employees. He's not gathering information about the impact of each option, he's asking you to make the decision. Coward!
2. Does a 4 day week mean the company doesn't have to pay redundancy settlements?
3. What are the real longer term prospects for the company?

Fair point made earlier about being clear about redundancy criteria - you don't want to put your job at any more risk. However, you are an employee, not the employer. You do not have responsibility for keeping your co-workers in employment. So, feel guilt free about believing in the value of yourself and your services to the company. If you cannot afford (with ease) to take the pay cut, and the company is still viable on lower numbers, then I say you should vote for continued 5 day working.

ref. 3, my worry would be what happens in a couple of months: Is it just hope that business will pick up following a short term balance sheet problem or is this the beginning of the end and further cuts might follow?

[G]

I have been in a similar situation and trust me dont believe any of it.

We went into a 90 day consultation period for a 12.5% pay cut at my work, this was to avoid redundancies.

The majority agreed to the paycut............however within 1 week of the end of the consultation period the first round of redundancies has already come and 25 people have gone......their payout was based on the 12.5% less salary they agreed to 1 week earlier.

Those who did not agree to the paycut had their contracts terminated, they were offered new contracts at a 15% paycut and told to except it or leave.

For me.....I firmly believe you have to look after number one....yourself, like you I knew I was 110% safe and could play the game.

I did not agree to the paycut because I make the company 500% profit on my costs whilst other people sit around doing absolutely nothing, I also simply could not afford it. I looked for another job and got one with a 30% pay increase and a better car.

Amusingly as soon as I resigned the company were willing to give me a payrise and whatever else they had to do to retain me...yet weeks earlier the paycut was across the board no exceptions.

So for me there is no dilemma, Lissa you have to look after yourself...... everybody is in a different situation and will view it differently though I guess.

Originally Posted by Jamiebridges123

Tbh, if you are sure your job would be safe, you should firstly look out for your family and you, and everyone else second

+1

What does the union say?

[steveg]

Hi Lissa,
I work in a small team , who all work really hard and we all get on well, therefore I would take the 4 day week , however depends if you work with a bunch of wasters.
I would also take this as a sign to dust off my cv and look at the job market in case this is the first sign your company is in troube.
These are difficult times , hope things work out well for you.

Cheers Steveg

what a horrid situation Lissa, i agree with Claire go with your gut feeling - with the vote be anonymous?

Difficult situation Lissa. Look after ones-self and significant others. £250 is a lot of miles on the bike especially in July and August, I'm not saying the 250 will affect that, but that's one way of looking at it.

Sorry to see its come to that. I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make. Dad had to make a decision whether he could take £9k as a voluntary redundancy offer from Aston Martin or stick out not getting made redundant, if he got made redundant it would have been significantly less. Luckily he chose right and didn't get the chop but lost his managerial job and has had to take a £250 paycut.

Times is tough and like I say, I wish you all the best Lissa.