Bit odd and rambling but bear with me
About 4 years ago work was basically bankrupt . Baliffs, restraining orders , CCJ’s etc . Run by a moron, but a sound business with growth stifled by debt .
Several ‘post bankruptcy’ offers and pheonix style rescue ideas in place (including one with me being a part owner )
Then we had the infamous TV program and take over by 3rd party .
We were told that business had to turn around and start making some money to cover the massive debts . Fair enough .
Being involved for 8 years ( + 15 in the industry ) I knew how to stop heamoraging cash and increase sales .
Being niave , but wanting to part of a profitable firm i volunteered a 25% pay cut . I could afford it and the wage bill was not in proportion to the then output .
Since the removal of the retarded owner and idiotic sales guy production and profitabilty have grown substantially. Easily double digit increases in production over the last 2 years and actually making a paper profit .
I asked for a 15% pay rise to bring me back up near what i was earning 5 years ago , without any allowance for inflation over that time . I didint even ask for my old salary to be re -instated.
The new owners slightly off hand response took me back abit .
Basically you can have a pay rise , but 1 memeber of staff will be sacked / asked to leave and i will have to take on some of his work.
I cant fit my work into a 40hr week at the moment , and i dont want to be responsible for someone loosing their job because I want a new bike or 2 . So basically im being blackmailed or manipulated into accepting the status quo , and earning what amounts to a starting salary for most jobs . Even the flippen cleaners cost the business more than my hourly rate and they scrub toilets .
Before anyone starts i know it was dim to take a voluntary pay cut , especially without an agreement to reverse it once the business had turned around .
Wish I had never asked now .