Is the economy turning employers into jerks? (vent)

[Qestia]

It seems everywhere I turn the people I know who still have jobs are just getting treated like crap by their employers. At my workplace they've made the usual budget cuts: laid off people, made others take reductions in pay and hours, took away our 401k match "temporarily" (yeah, right), won't pay for professional development... but that's to be expected with a downturn. It's the lack of respect I can't take, our workplace is full of back stabbing gossiping jerks right now. I mentor someone at another area college and I can't believe how poorly she is being treated: they make her work 60+ hour weeks in a junior level job, won't fund professional development even though they found money to hire someone above her (who doesn't work those kind of hours). These same stories are happening everywhere I look. I think employers are just doing it because they know there are no jobs right now and we can't quit.

Anyone else experiencing this?

[CatsCradle]

I hear ya!

Last year, my firm laid off a number of staff and professionals and gave paycuts to those of us remaining. Along with the paycut came a memo: "We expect you to work just as hard, or even harder!" (paraphrased)

I realize that the economic troubles were real in our line of work, but it doesn't help to take a paycut and be asked to do 250% at the same time. It is a real motivation-blower, I hate to say. I had a lot of "survivor's guilt" during this time period and kept my mouth shut. It does take a mental toll, however.

That being said, our original pay was reinstituted this year and we are being giving merit raises and merit bonuses. I think there are businesses out there that are truly taking a hit and then there are those that may have taken a hit but are continuing to use the hit as a way to cut employee costs. That's just my opinion.

[annethcz]

Nope, hasn't been a problem for me or for my DH. Yes, there have been lots of budget issues at both of our workplaces, but both of us still feel valued in our jobs.

[Elismum]

Originally Posted by CatsCradle

"We expect you to work just as hard, or even harder!"

We got the same message. And we were told that our department was expected to be the only department to turn a profit, and it was resting on us to make up for the whole firm's losses. Along with paycuts, etc. etc. I also realize the economic realities but it was a hard year. I'm finding the firm is using the economy as an excuse not to make partners as well. I really hope 2010 is brighter!

[Starcat2]

Yep, this happened with my company to. They fired almost all of the 'on-call' people and cut full timers down to part time. After my latest "oh no strong steady contractions" scare, they cut me down from that.

We have 100 people to take care of and there are only 3 nursing assistants to take care of them on a shift. NOT cool!

[Ellien C]

My job had lay-offs in Oct '08 and we've all pulled together since then. Many things have been cut, but I don't feel devalued. If anything, people are working very hard to communicate and make "the right" decisions. Sorry things are going poorly.