How to Handle a Pay Cut
如何應對減薪
Perhaps you've noticed that business has slowed down around your office, which could be a sign that your company has fallen on tough times. The good news, you learn, is that you still have a job. But before you can say, "Whew," you learn the bad news: Your salary is being reduced.
你可能已經注意到辦公室裡的業務已經減緩下來了,這是你們公司在經濟困難時期下滑的表現.好訊息是你仍然有一份工作.但是在你鬆口氣之前,你馬上聽到了不好的訊息:你減薪了.
Make No Accept-ion
不接受
When your supervisor breaks the news to you about your pay cut, do not accept anything immediately. In other words, refrain from conveying any type of agreement, either verbally or in writing. If pushed, you may say something to the effect of "This is a lot to process right now. I need to think about this and discuss it with my family this evening."
當被上司告之減薪時,不要馬上就接受一切.也就是不要訂立任何口頭或書面形式的協議.如果他們催你的話,你可以這樣說"這不是現在就能決定的事情.我要好好考慮一下,晚上回去和我家人商量下這件事情."
What you want to do is buy yourself some time. Why? You need to find out all the facts surrounding a salary reduction before you accept it. A pay cut can affect your future severance package and compensation for unused sick or vacation days as those numbers are usually calculated based on your current salary -- as are unemployment benefits. Also, the reduced compensation could affect salary negotiations with future employers as your last salary of record could be significantly less than what you are really worth.
你要做的是為自己爭取一點時間.為什麼?因為在你接受之前你要找出有關減薪的所有原因.減薪會影響到你將來的遣散費、病假或其他假期的補償費、以及失業補貼,因為這些費用都是按照你當前的薪資來計算的'.另外,減薪也會影響你將來找工作時和你未來的僱主協商你的薪資問題,因為你的上一份薪資明顯比你的價值要低.
Just the Facts
查清事實
Once you're no longer reeling from the shock, go on a fact-finding mission. Questions to ask your superiors include:
一旦你從震驚中恢復過來,就開始找出事實的真相吧.你可以問上司的問題包括:
1) Is this a mandatory or voluntary pay cut?
這次減薪是強制的還是自願的?
2) How much will your pay be lowered by?
你會降低多少?
3) Who else is affected by the pay cut?
其他還有什麼人也會減薪?
4) How long will the pay cut last?
減薪會持續多久?
5) Could there be retroactive reimbursement?
是否有什麼補償措施?
6) How will this affect raises, bonuses and benefits?
減薪會對以後的加薪,福利等產生有什麼樣的影響?
7) Are you going to have to work longer hours or take on additional tasks?
我是否需要長時間的加班或做其他額外的工作?
8) What are the company's plans to turn things around?
公司有什麼改善措施?
Questions to ask yourself include:
可以問自己的問題包括:
1) How much do you need this job?
你有多需要這份工作?
2) Do you have faith that the company will recover from this setback?
你是否確信公司會從這次危機中恢復?
3) Can you trust what your superiors are telling you?
你是否相信你上司說的話?
4) Is it time to move on?
是不是到了該前進的時間了?
After gathering information outwardly and inwardly, you may want to speak with an employment attorney to explore all of your legal options and your rights.
收集了表面和內在的原因後,你可能需要和一位職業律師談談,研究下你合法的權利和選擇.
It Pays to Negotiate
談判是值得的
Once you know the facts and think you may wish to continue at your current job, see if you can negotiate to make the pay cut more palatable to you.
在你得知事情的真相後,如果仍然願意留在當前的工作職位上,就看看是否可以通過談判的手段使得降薪對你更有利.
Some areas to negotiate can include your weekly hours and where you work. Suggest a reduced schedule, such as a four-day workweek. Or try to arrange to telecommute to reduce your commuting costs.
可以協商的領域可以包括你工作的時間和地點.可以建議減少工作時間,比如一天工作四天.或努力爭取遠端辦公或減少你的交通費用.
You can also negotiate around stock options, if you still believe the company is viable -- and valuable. If you don't have any stock options, ask for some. If you have some, try to get more. If you're not sure what the shares are worth and where the company is headed, do some research.
如果你認為公司的股票有價值,並且可行的話,你可以和公司協商股票持有權的事宜.如果你沒有股票持有權,那就要求公司提供.如果你有一些的話,試著得到更多.如果你不知道多少股份才有用,也不瞭解公司的領導層,那就做一些調查吧.
Finally, ask the company for a written agreement around the salary cut, when your old pay rate might be reinstated and if there will be any recompense for lost wages. Your supervisor may balk, but if you work for a small company, you may be able to negotiate this.
最後,向公司要一份降薪的書面證明,註明你的舊薪資什麼時候恢復,以及公司有對你損失的薪資有沒有什麼補償.你的上司可能不會同意這樣做,但是如果你是在一家小公司工作的話,你就可以和上級協商此事情.
Exit Stage Left
是離開的時候了
If at the end of your fact-finding and negotiating you feel cornered, remember: you're not. You still have choices and options. However, to exercise any of them, you may need to consult with an employment attorney or your local unemployment office.
如果在最後,你被尋求事實和協商逼到了絕境,記住,你還有其他選擇.但是在實踐之前,你可能需要找一位執業律師或當地的失業辦公室諮詢一下.
Because most people are employed "at will," you or your employer can end the arrangement at any time and your salary can be lowered, as long as it is done for a legitimate business reason. But, if your pay has been cut by an unreasonable percentage, you may be able to quit and still collect unemployment benefits. Rules vary from state to state; check with your local unemployment office before you do anything.
因為很多人的僱傭關係都是很隨意的,你或者僱主隨時都可以結束僱傭關係,或以一個合理的工作原因來降低你的薪資.但是,如果你是因不正當的理由被降薪了,你就可以在辭職的時候享受失業福利.每個州的規則都不一樣,在你有所行動之前先諮詢下當地的失業辦公室.
If you have an employment contract, you may be able to refuse the cut altogether or at least quit and collect unemployment, but only if the contract states terms of compensation and says that your employer cannot alter the terms without your consent. The pay cut could constitute a breach of contract and an attorney can help you negotiate the terms of your release or fight for your full pay.
如果你簽訂了勞動合同,或許可以拒絕降薪、至少也可以在辭職的時候得到失業福利,但是這也得是在合同規定了賠償條款或寫明瞭僱主不得在未經你同意就出任何變更的情況下.減薪可能會構成違約,你可以找一名律師來幫你將薪資保護戰進行到底.
Finally, you can temporarily agree to the pay cut, update your resume. Begin applying for new jobs immediately and look forward to the future with a different employer.
最後,你也可以暫時答應減薪,但是開始著手開始更新你的簡歷.馬上開始去找另外一份工作,期望將來找到一位好的僱主.