Moral Dilemma

[Lissa]

Work has been a bit quiet just lately, and today the owner came in and held a meeting to point out that costs will have to be reduced. Normally, this would just mean redundancies, but instead he is suggesting we all go on to a 4 day week for July, and possibly August.

For the 4 day week thing to go ahead, everyone in the factory would have to agree.................and this is my dilemma!

I am 99.9% certain my job would be safe, and going on to a 4 day week and losing £250+ a month would be a serious finacial problem for me. However, I would hate for anyone to lose their job too, especially as the job market is so bad around here at the moment.

We have been given the weekend to think things over and have to vote on Monday about the 4 day week. I really am in a quandry about this. If you were in this situation, how would you vote?

Tbh, if you are sure your job would be safe, you should firstly look out for your family and you, and everyone else second... £250 a month at a minimum LOSS is a F#CK load of money.

I know it sounds....REALLY harsh but needs must, and in the workplace other people shaft you all the time, so you have to look out for yourself.

I'd vote to keep the 5 day week.. but that's just me.. I'm not selfish but if I had a house (I assume you have a partner, house, kids maybe?) to run and bills to pay, f#ck'em

The way I'd look at it is:

Could you carry on day to day without that money? If so then vote for the 4 day week.
If you think the effects of loosing that money are too great (ie life would turn into a bit of a struggle) then you have no option but to vote for the 5 day week.

Another thing to consider could you not barter with your boss about getting a pay rise? I know that sounds strange but let me explain. If you was to go with a 4 day week can he/they not pay you a little bit more so your not loosing so much money?

Whatever happens I hope things work out for you.

You have identified the issues as far as I can tell.

Unfortunately, I think that only you and Pete can answer this as only you know your own personal cirumstances.

So no opinion from me I'm afraid. Good luck, I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you.

[DavieSV]

My grandad once said to me "If you are paid to do a job, do it to the best of your ability, even if you think you arn't paid enough"
That is what I do. I see people swinging the lead, and trying to do as little as possible.

I was faced with the same dilemma,
I voted NO to the 4 day week as I would not be able to be civil to these people trying there hardest not to work, while I would still do my best.

I'm pretty much with Seggons on this. If you can still cover living cost on 4 days, then vote for 4 days, otherwise vote for 5. My boss was recently made redundant to cut costs. I and others would have happily took a wage cut save his job, but that was not an option. I don't agree with the 'F*ck everyone else' attitude, that's why our society stinks. I find that you get what you give in this life.

[DavieSV]

If all the members of our team had pulled their weight, I would have voted for the four day week, but I am not having my daughter and sons go without to "carry" some one who is basically taking the Pi$$.

The person in question once said to me "it's a clever man who goes to work and gets paid for doing nothing" I don't agree with that.

Every work place is different and it is not an easy decision to make. I'm just letting you into some of the many reasons I came to the decision that I did.

God that's a hard one, Lissa. I can sort of see both sides, tbh. In our work there are those who don't work hard, take frequent sickies, arrive late, let others down, and it would seriously chap my hide to take a hit for them, especially when they won't do holiday cover, etc.

If I depended on the money, to be honest, I'd vote no.

we are on a 4 day week at work now - short hour's aswell the majority of us felt this was the way to go as we didnt wan't people out of job's especially when the prospect of getting another is slim to none we have managed to get by and have adjusted our spending to compensate.

everywheres cutting back we have 10 VR's on our early shift and anyone who wants a "buy down" of hours can.