Be grateful you've got a job...

[one_voice]

My husband went to work for a company a year and a half ago. When he was hired, he was told what his base salary would be, plus the company had bonuses if you met or exceeded certain goals. He was told he'd have a review after a year, and a raise if his work merited it.

He works about 15 hours a day, with the exception of Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday he usually works 8-10 hrs and about 6 on Sunday. He's required to use his personal cell for business and is required to answer at all times..unless he's sleeping.

It seemed to be a good get, decent salary, bonuses, supposed to be "normal" hours. So hubby busted his ass exceeded all goals since he started and has yet to receive a bonus. They keep moving the goal post. This company has offices all over the East coast, and his office is ranked number..up from last..when he was hired. But still no bonus and no review or raise.

Today was pay day. No check, this is the second time in a month this has happened. All of "corporate" were off today so there was no one to and ask where the paychecks were. No one in his office was paid. They're going to have to wait till Monday to see what the problem is. All of corporate and the veeps have auto deposit...they won't offer that to the "lowly" workers.

A few people have complained about the amount of work vs pay and the hours...mind you things changed once you started. They were told they shouldn't be complaining they're lucky they have a job. Many of the people that work with my husband live paycheck to paycheck. Having to wait even a day can really hurt. When the checks didn't come before they were again told you're lucky you have a job.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm very grateful he's one of the employed. What bothers me is the idea that these people think they treat you anyway they want because they know there aren't any jobs. They skirt the law in paying OT, and dare you to complain.

The union has been trying to get to this company but so far no luck. I think this is how things are going to be permanently. The jobs aren't coming back, and people are going to be forced to work in f'd up situations because there are no jobs.

My husband had a heart attack in Oct. It happened on a Wed. he came home that weekend, told the doc he'd lose his job (yes he was afraid of that) so the doc let him go back to work that Monday half days for a week, which meant 4hrs in the office 8hrs at home.

Anyone else working for a company that thinks they "own" you?

Thanks for letting me vent.

[panader0]

1. I would be if I had one...............

[one_voice]

3. I'm sorry...

the last thing I wanted it sound like was that I wasn't grateful that he has a job. I know things could be a lot worse. He was out of work for over a year.

My point was more about how I think things are going to change for the "common worker". Cattle comes to mind.

I do hope you find work soon. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[hedgehog]

93. One of the reasons so many are out of work is that so many who

are working are working unpaid overtime. Why hire someone when the people you're paying now are too scared to object to working two jobs for one salary?

[elocs]

2. What job?

:shrug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

87. I'm unemployed, too; however, thank G-d my husband (knocking wood) still has one

and I was able to get the extended unemployment benefits passed by the lame duck Congress. I've been out of work a year on Jan. 8th. It could be a lot worse for us, too, as we don't have kids to support and thank goodness, we have health insurance through my husband's employer.

Regardless, what your hubby's company is doing is total bullshit and I'm sure is stressing you and him out. Wish there was something I could do. Sounds totally illegal to me (what, he and the others should work for free?). ((Hugs))).

[elocs]

95. In my house it's just me. When I don't have a job, nobody does.

No unemployment either.

[Electric Monk]

4. This is the house of cards we called "society" collapsing. I blame the BFEE.

"Neo-conservativsm" is actually neo-feudalism.

[Tansy_Gold]

5. Yes. I do.

But it's not really a job because I'm an "independent sub-contractor," so I have no benefits at all, and no rights at all. I earn barely minimum wage and sometimes not even that, but minimum wage only applies to employees, and I'm not an employee.


But hey, the stock market is going up and up and up, so everything is fine. We're in serious recovery mode and it will only be a short while before the bosses earn enough to start trickling a little bit down to the rest of us. That's the way it works, you know.





TG, TT

[Rex]

6. I am, I am very grateful to be able to buy the necessities in life

and even if I can't afford any luxuries - I know there are people out there with no job and some with no food or shelter of their own. In America, we working poor should be happy to at least be working.

[PassingFair]

15. No, we should be furious that we are being treated like slaves.

I know I am.

59 million without health insurance.

We live like frightened rabbits and
this bullshit's got to end.

[Rex]

33. We live in THE country with the highest incarceration rate on the planet.

You bet we live like frightened rabbits! It is by design.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sanity Claws]

7. Sorry that your husband is treated like that

I'm also one of the unemployed masses.

Employers think they hold all the cards and treat people like crap.

All I can think of is perhaps you can help him look for something else or even a different career.

[one_voice]

14. I'm sorry...

I really hope you find something soon. I know what it's like my husband was out of work for a little over a year, before he got this job.

I'll keep you in my thoughts.

[Sherman A1]

8. Yes, he is being abused by his employer

Today it's all about doing more with less and less or robbing Peter to pay Paul and eventually your run out of..............

I don't know if there are any good solutions, but a complaint to your states wage & hour division might be worth considering.

[Missy Vixen]

9. This might be a stupid question, but I gotta' ask

Have you tried talking to OSHA yet? You also need to talk to an employment attorney. If the union's not helping, it's good to check into that, too.

IMHO. I understand it's not cheap, but it sounds like either that company is having significant financial trouble, or they are banking on nobody complaining because, after all, they "have a job".

Again, IMHO. I hope things improve, or I hope that your husband gets another offer and can get the hell out.

[one_voice]

13. They have been reported at least once..

here (Delaware & Boston) apparently they have to pay employees within a specified time after the pay period ends. They were way past the legal limit, so they had to change the day people were paid.

Not sure the details, but they weren't happy when they had to change it.

He's looking, but there's nothing out there. It took him a year to find this job.

[Missy Vixen]

40. It's happened a second time; are the laws more stringent in Boston than Delaware?

Even if they've previously been reported, they need to be reported again until it stops. It's hard for me to believe that their suppliers, for instance, would take it well if they knew the company had missed payroll twice in two months.

My husband worked for companies like that before, specifically a software company that made billing solutions for the cell phone industry. He worked 15 hour days as well. He had one day off in two years. He finally started looking for another job after being paged 175 times in a weekend because of support issues.

I'm happy to say that the software company in question is out of business.

I'll cross my fingers that your husband has another (and better) offer appear ASAP.

[one_voice]

44. Thank You!

We look everyday. Glad your husband got away from that abuse.

I really don't want to make light of people that are out of work. I don't want to seem insensitive; my husband was out of work for a little over a year, so I know that side of the coin too.

[Missy Vixen]

47. We were out for 10 months 2008-2009

I'm not making light of it, either. It's hell. I think about the people here who are out of work every day, and hope and pray their situation turns around.

Is it just too evil to hope that the Karma of those taking advantage of this situation (i.e., employers like your husband's) visits sooner than later?

:hug:

[NHDemProg]

84. Can you give

any details as to the name of the company or in what industry they're in so I can avoid them like the plague?

[trud]

92. an employment attorney is no help unless you have the money to pay them.

[OHdem10]

10. I have heard Business Reports on many channels that Companies

are working people harder and longer. Some have
described it as getting the work of two persons
out of one person.

Some have said this is why we will not see much
hiring of new people.

Another report, indicated that 70% of new hires
now are temporary workers. (Avoid benefits etc.)

We are living in interesting times.

[Foo Fighter]

54. Extortionist times is more like it. n/t

[onethatcares]

11. it's alright to vent but

please name the company. 100 hours of labor a week is not something to just complain about. I'd blow em in to the state for not paying overtime, and again for not paying on time.

I hate to say it but I gotta call bullshit on this story. Unless of course the company is named. They can't track your home computer and this ain't facebook so go for it. It'll keep others out of a crappy situation

[EFerrari]

16. Do you really think tracking a home computer is the only way

this could track back? Seriously?

[one_voice]

22. I will not name the company...

like I said they have offices all along the west coast. It's not worth the risk.

Why would I lie about something like this? When he didn't get his check today, it really pissed me off so I came to DU to vent. Mostly because there was no one to call to find out why, what the hell kind of shit is that. He'll get it on Monday, and thankfully we can wait, but not everyone in his office can.

As for the OT my husband is salaried, and the states laws aren't easy to understand. But from what I've read, if you're salary there isn't anything you can do.

[Electric Monk]

26. West coast, East coast, what's the difference?

You've said both now, fwiw.

[one_voice]

30. Oh shit...

I live in Delaware...I meant to type East...it was a mistake.

see post 13.

[tammywammy]

29. You can be salaried and get OT pay

I'm a salaried employee, but non-exempt. I am not in a management position, but I am guaranteed pay. If I work overtime I get paid overtime. Period.

Here's a link to FSLA where it determines exempt vs non-exempt employees.
http://www.flsa.com/coverage.html

[one_voice]

31. He's a manager...

I looked it up before. It gets confusing--at least for me---when I was reading about state law vs fed law. Let me find the site I was reading.

Once I find it I'll post it.

[tammywammy]

32. If he's a manager then he doesn't qualify under federal law for overtime

He's an exempt employee.

Edited to add: It seems like Delaware falls back to the federal standards for overtime.

[one_voice]

35. That's what I remember reading...

there's a difference between the state law and the federal law. I looked it up before, because I thought the law stated that if you weren't paid OT, you should receive comp time. When I looked up the law it was confusing, but it seemed, unless I read it wrong..there really wasn't anything he could do.

[tammywammy]

36. Nothing you can do towards overtime pay

Since he's not entitled to it. You can make a complaint to the state labor board about not being paid on time.

[one_voice]

38. I know...

and they take full advantage of that. Thanks for looking it up.

[xor]

55. I'm betting I could figure it out if I worked for his company...

Depending on the size of the company, it might be really easy. I'd start by searching the username of the poster and then moving from there... If that pulls up any results, then they might be able to start connecting dots. Unless one takes extra care to make sure their internet life is fully isolated from their real life, it's usually pretty simple figure stuff out.

[trud]

94. overtime

If you;re a salaried employee there is no such thing as overtime pay.

[closeupready]

12. I believe that this may be illegal. You may want to contact the Department of Labor

to see what regulations or laws govern the payment of wages promptly, i.e., if they are supposed to pay every other Friday, they can be penalized if they don't. I'm not a lawyer, and not entirely sure about that, but I think you can contact the US DOL about this; see what they say, what guidance they can offer.

I DO, however, realize that those of us who are employed should be grateful. I was always probably the LAST person to say that in prior good times; having learned recently that every single other person in my apartment building had lost jobs over the last two years, I am now fully subscribed to the "grateful to be employed" mantra.

[littlewolf]

19. hmmm lets see ... OSHA isn't going to be much good

unless they are breaking some safety rule .... employment legal eagle ... good idea ....
skirting OT laws .... notify your state employment ppl. ...

[Sanity Claws]

20. Right OSHA is not the right agency

Try your state's department of labor. They will be able to help you or refer you elsewhere regarding the timeliness of the paycheck.

As for the overtime issue, you didn't say what your husband does. Some positions are exempt from the overtime laws so this may not be fruitful to pursue. You could talk to your state department of labor and see if they will examine whether he is in an exempt position.

[Missy Vixen]

41. IMHO, but the OP's husband had a heart attack, most likely from stress

Wouldn't requiring an employee to work 100+ hours a week be considered hazardous to health?

Again, not an attorney.

I hope the OP can find someone to come down hard on this employer.

[malaise]

17. Why is he working 15 hours a day

Isn't he supposed to work an eight hour day with a lunch hour?

[one_voice]

24. He doesn't have the support staff he needs...

and he needs to get the work done. We found out the guy that had this position before him, made 15,000 more a year and had 2 more people--as support.

His boss told another person in the office (in another position) when the guy asked for help--if you can't handle it there are at least 8 people out there that are waiting to do your job.

[HughBeaumont]

58. Ooooh, a threat. Also illegal.

They fired a manager at the last job I had over that.

[knitter4democracy]

78. Heck, I've heard that several times from principals.

They trot out the old "English teachers are a dime a dozen" canard and then stare at me meaningfully. I backed down with the first two principals until the second one finally crossed the line and threatened to fire me at the semester. I backed down to her face but then got the union involved, which ultimately took care of things.

These days, I just smile and nod. Go ahead and replace me and see what happens.

[ThomCat]

18. Unfortunately, yes, many companies do that if they can.

That was the whole reason for unions and for the department of labor and for many of the regulations we used to enforce in this country. :(

If companies can get away with abusing employees then they will abuse them. Undermining the power of employees helps keep employees from requesting raises, and prevents employees from organizing, and allows companies to cut corners in ways that save money even if it is dangerous to employees.

If they don't have to pay you on time then they won't. Holding on to that money, even for an extra day, makes them more money and keeps you in a more financially perilous situation.

I am very sorry that your husband has to deal with this. :hug:

[OHdem10]

23. Could it be, that people are so fearful of losing their job, they

tolerate a lot to hang on to a livelihood of any kind.

In right to work states, I know people used to put up
with a lot, because the companies would threaten to go
overseas.

I am just saying the fear of job loss can be a lot of pressure.

[ThomCat]

28. Yes, you are absolutely right.

And in right to work states that is still true, if their jobs haven't already gone overseas. :(

[customerserviceguy]

21. He needs to find one of his company's competitors

and work for them. It can be so satisfying to know that the extra effort you put in for a new company is even slightly screwing the jerkoffs who didn't realize what they had, when they had you.

[lib2DaBone]

25. Wage-hour slavery to put us on an equal footing with Viet Nam...

Thanks to Republicans and Big Corps.. and of course.. Mr. Obama and CONgress for going along with it all.

[tammywammy]

27. Does your husband qualify for OT pay?

Is he in management?

As for the late payment of wages, that's against the code in Delaware. If it was due to the holiday, which doesn't make sense since the holiday is tomorrow, they are to be paid their wages the preceding day.
http://delcode.delaware.gov/title19/c011/index.shtml#1102

If he is due overtime pay (he's a non-exempt employee) and the late payment of wages, I would definitely contact the Department of Labor and make a complaint.

[one_voice]

37. Thank you for posting this link...

they've already been in trouble for paying late...

(b) Every employer shall pay all wages due within 7 days from the close of the pay period in which the wages were earned; provided, that if the regular payday falls on a nonwork day, payment shall be made on the preceding workday. If, however, the regular payday is within the pay period (on or before the final day of the pay period) and the pay period does not exceed 16 days, the employer may delay until the next pay period compensation for the following:

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title19/c011/index.shtml


He used to get paid on Tuesday..his old pay schedule he wouldn't be getting paid till Tuesday. Someone reported them and they had to change it. They also had to do change the pay date in Boston for the same reason.

[Capitalocracy]

34. There's no such thing as permanent.

Everything changes. We're living in difficult times, but things can always get better and they can always get worse. The fact is we're not as powerless as we think we are.

I'm very sorry to hear about how they're treating him. I don't know what your situation is, but maybe you could help him by looking for other opportunities and sending resumes for him while he's working those 15-hour days.

I think we need to start an alternative economy. We need microloans for small businesses, and failing that, we need to come up with diverse ideas for zero-budget entrepreneurship. That's what I'm trying to do... and I started out with nothing. It cost me my job and every penny I had to move to Argentina to be with the woman who is now my wife, and after learning Spanish, I worked for a short time at an illegal call center (for U.S. customers) for less than even this country's minimum wage (about $300 a month at the time, 10-hour days) and bought a very old computer with a 4-gig hard drive for about $20 and an internet connection and started working as a freelance translator. Now I'm trying to start my own small translation, transcription, and subtitling agency. I haven't been too successful so far, but I'm hoping to grow in the longrun.

[LiberalEsto]

39. My husband does

I'm unemployed. Almost 27 months.

MadDave works for a large financial firm that has a number of contracts with the federal government. Two days a week - sometimes more - he has to be at his desk at 7 a.m. sharp, no matter what. He commutes on the DC Metro, which is falling apart, so he gets up extra early and leaves for work early because he's taking no chances. Does he leave work at 4 pm on those days? Hell no. Regardless of when he comes in, he's there until 6 or 7 or 8pm. Usually without a lunch break or even a bathroom break. Then there are endless Saturdays and Sundays. On top of that, his company makes sure the lowly workers (these are computer database professionals) don't have almost any free time. On days like Presidents' Day and Memorial Day, they have mandatory all-day classes which are completely irrelevant. They also periodically have to take mandatory tests in stuff like accounting, which has nothing to do with their work. Their HR department makes up the test assignments, probably in lieu of doing anything useful. Certain people who suck up to management get away with doing virtually no work and leaving early. They dump their assignments on the non-suckups. It's a really nasty work environment. Dave's coworkers all work silently and don't dare talk to one another. And he's afraid if he tries to leave, any place else he goes will be just as bad.

All the extra hours are unpaid hours.

I imagine the executives get their kicks by treating their employees like shit.

[TK421]

42. If you have a job today, that company "owns you" n/t

[wryter2000]

81. Very true, even if it's a good company

My employer is wonderful. I wouldn't dare try to go anywhere else in this climate. :scared:

[Liberal_in_LA]

96. sad but true

[southernyankeebelle]

43. What a damn shame.

[niyad]

45. isn't that what the slaves were told, as well?

seriously, wish there were some helpful words of advice I could give you in this horrible situation. the way corporations are behaving is only going to get worse.

[tabasco]

46. My boss tried to stiff me for a day's pay.

She's a real dumb shit.

[man4allcats]

48. The place I work isn't quite as bad as what you describe, but

it's close enough in many ways that I understand perfectly what you're talking about. I wish I could offer encouragement, but I think the reality is that you are correct when you state that "I think this is how things are going to be permanently. The jobs aren't coming back, and people are going to be forced to work in f'd up situations because there are no jobs." All the same, I wish you and your husband and all the rest of us in this situation the best of luck. We're all gonna need it!

[CoffeeCat]

49. My husband is on the same track as your husband...

My husband works for a company that has unleashed five rounds of layoffs. Everyone
lives in fear that it will happen to them, as they have watched the company shrink.

Everyone is doing twice the work for little or no raises. This is a high-tech
company with mostly professionals/white-collar workers who have degrees in
computer science, engineering and business. They've been reduced to living
in fear and they put up with nonsense.

There is an on-call phone--which always has to be manned. My husband has the on-call
phone a couple of times a week, at least, and on holidays. He worked on Thanksgiving
and Christmas. He has a month of vacation built up and has taken no days. He
absolutely can't. They are so short-staffed. He's practically afraid to leave
for a half day.

My husband complains of chest pains. The doctors find nothing. He's so stressed.

We're working on solutions. I have been a stay-at-home mom for a decade. At first,
when the kids were born--this was a great idea. I'd be with the babies, he'd work
and I'd go back later if I wanted. Now, having one salary is dangerous. It's also
stressful to the one person who is responsible for bringing in all of the money. So,
we're hoping I can return to work. As you can imagine, that's tough in this economy.
I've been out for a decade. Despite having a degree and 15 years experience in my
field--I will be very lucky to obtain employment in my field.

This is the American way now. I feel for all of us.

No one is immune.

[one_voice]

50. Please have your husband take care...

My husband is only 43 and he had the heart attack. We had no warning at all. He never smoked, doesn't drink, normal blood pressure, a few pounds over weight but not a lot. He's never been on any kind of daily medication in his life, and now he has to take 8 pills a day. No job is worth his health.

I'll keep you in my thoughts. Good luck.

[Samantha]

52. People who experience panic (anxiety) attacks often think they

are having heart attacks. In some cases, the symptoms are very similar. A muscle relaxant can help, but the only ones I know of are prescription only by a psychiatrist. Deep breaths sometimes help, as well as yoga techniques -- but not always. Sleep deprivation aggravates the condition, as does caffeine.

I have taken this medicine for the same reasons: stress caused by my work. I walked away from that job, even though I knew the recession was going to hit (I read DU!). I made a lot of money, and I do miss that, but I am much healthier today without that job.

Yes, less cash can cause stress but over the last two years, I have "made my own job." Perhaps you can think of something you too can do from home -- daycare -- to give your husband the opportunity to take another job, should he be fortunate enough to find one.

All of the descriptions of the unfair work treatment your husband has received is the type of employment Republicans have always dreamed of achieving. For many years, the approach has been being made; Bush finally brought it home for a landing. The only way it is going to stop is if YOU stop it. I am just trying to give you an accurate assessment. Good luck in this New Year.

Sam

[lumberjack_jeff]

57. +1

Life doesn't have to be like that.

[Corey_Baker08]

51. I Was Layed Off As A Security Officer in Dayton, Ohio-A Very Dangerous & Violent City- I Am $crewed!

Im a 21 year old college student majoring in Criminal Justic and I had a job that I actually liked when I was told that through no fault of my own the company had to lay off a majority of workers that have had less than 10 years, heck I wouldve been 11 ten yearsm ago. It doesn't seem fair, I was a Security Officer in Dayton, Ohio a city that is rampant with violent homicides, robberies, sexual assaults and every other crime you could think of. Yet I worked my ass off every night literally risking my life for a job that I felt would help prepare me to be a police officer which is my goal, my dream is to run for public office, yet I found that you have to have money to do that.

I understand the economy is horrible but I had been employee of the month before, I was respected by most, yet when it comes to layoffs seniority rules which I do agree with to an extent. I am truly screwed because of this, my car recently broke down and its $225 to get it fixed and I cant get it fixed without a paycheck, yet I have postetd my resume online and got several responses, unfortunately without a car I have not been able to get to the interviews... I just hope 2011 is a better year, Good riddance 2010!

It is not a happy new years for me and my family...I hope you and yours are truly having a wonderful New Year, and for those of the many of you who are in a position similar or worse than mine, just remember that things will get better, the storm will pass...and god help us if it don't!!!

:hi:

[xor]

53. I'd wonder about any company that doesn't offer direct deposit...

I don't think I've ever had a job that didn't offer it. I've had jobs that only offered direct deposit and didn't print paper checks, but never the other way around. Is there a reasoning as to why they do that?

[lumberjack_jeff]

56. With all due respect; IMHO neither of you should be thankful he has that job. n/t

[Dash87]

59. At my dad's old job, they told somebody there that the company was that person's "New Family,"

And the person's 'old family' and 'home life' was no longer important. 'Work should come first at all times,' according to them. I kid you not. That concept is so offensive to me, I wish I could smack whoever said that across the face. They were cruel sociopaths. :(

My dad worked from 8 am until ~2 am (yes, you're reading it right) 7 days a week. They finally laid him off. He got a new job, and is actually home even at 6 pm sometimes now.

His old place of employment got fined for doing this. I hope they go under. I would have just quit. :(

[HughBeaumont]

60. Grateful. That we have a job.

So, the act of making a living is now a privilege and/or a luxury.

Wow. Just wow. So this is what we're striving for in 21st century AmericUH?

Quite the high bar "Trickle Down" has set, no?

[RobinA]

61. A Guy

where I used to work (and was laid off in 2001) had a heart attack last year and wouldn't tell his boss. He claimed he was just sick, as in had a cold, and tried to come back in three days. Word got out and he took all of a week off. Came back looking like gray and half dead. Sick, sick, sick. While I think this was taking things a bit far, I can certainly understand his fear. He's a father with kids getting ready to go to college.

[B Calm]

62. Cheap Labor Conservative philosophy: Work Cheap or Starve!

[hayrow]

66. The results of the December, 2000 coup de etat

At the federal level the law is whatever a Bush appointed judge says it is. Think minimum wage laws or working condition statutes will be followed? At the state level, the law is whatever the republican purchased justices say it is. We must face the facts. The class war ended with the election of Reagan in 1980, and was buried with the installation of the junta in 2000. We lost, and we are living the the lives of the class war losers. It is not unusual for losers in wars to be turned into slaves or near slaves.

[Capitalocracy]

75. Hey, a new member to the "2000 was a coup" club!

Welcome! :toast:

[Bragi]

63. Americans know the "right thing" to do in this situation

The right thing is to be grateful for your job and blame yourself for its horrors.

If you were only smarter, or worked harder, or paid more attention to whatever, then you'd not be in such a tough situation.

Everyone in America can be whatever they want, and if they are in a bad situation, ten it's their own fault.

That's the ideological glue that holds Americans in thrall.

It's also what makes it imposible (so far anyway) to organize efecive resistance to the powers that be.

Not even Marx imagined that the controls would be so total that the the oppressed would sit around in their heavily-mortgaged basements blaming themselves for their sorry state.

[Kievan Rus]

86. "The American Dream" is the greatest lie ever told

George Carlin said it best: it's called the American Dream, 'cause you have to be asleep to believe it.

[quaker bill]

64. "Be grateful you've got a job"

Is the new management mantra. Everyone I know who has work has been told this, usually accompanied by an announcement of a pay freeze, pay reduction, benefits reduction, hours reduction..... the list goes on.

Missing paychecks on the other hand is a really bad sign. I have suffered missing paychecks or bouncing paychecks with two different employers in my past. Within a handful of weeks after the problem arose, one went voluntary Chapter 11, and the other was raided by the IRS, locked up, and the President arrested for embezzeling tax witholding funds.

My theory has always been that it is easier to find a new job when currently employed. I would encourage your husband to keep looking.

[mwooldri]

71. I am one of the lucky ones.

I have a quoted "annual salary" but I am paid hourly, and I am non-exempt, so I do get overtime. I do work for a big company (no not Walmart, not that big) and they do look after me well, especially my immediate managers and such.

You're right Quaker Bill - it is nowadays really easier to get a new job whilst employed. For some reason job recruiters find that more palatable than someone who does not have a job. It's no longer theory, it's fact in a whole lot of cases.

Yes, my office has had layoffs but because of my present position and my performance I did escape the axe. Right now the company has figured out it cut too many people out and is now re-hiring like crazy. I'm seeing low-level management who were made redundant come back in taking the non-exempt front line CSR positions because that's where they started in the first place, have a history with the company, and more. One of those re-hired ex-managers who is now a front line CSR is actually happy to be back where he started because believe it or not he's making more money!!! (strange but apparently true).

[proReality]

65. The feudal system is making a comeback. n/t

[closeupready]

72. It really is. The feudal system is the new model of life in America, it sometimes seems.

n/t

[NNN0LHI]

68. I don't believe this

I believe the story in the OP, but I can't believe I have actually lived long enough to see it come to this in my lifetime. But it has. Geebuz.

Don

[B Calm]

70. The rich bastards have been riding on the back of a tiger for 30 years and

that tiger is starting to get very hungry. Interesting days ahead? Let us hope so!

EAT THE RICH!!

[TatonkaJames]

69. I worked at a large Pharma Co. for 20 years as a TEMP !

There were 5 of us hired at the same time 20 years ago by the manager of the department from an ad in the paper. It said nothing about it being a temporary position.
We five worked and performed with the other 7 people in the department who were "regular" employees. We all performed the same jobs. When we found out we were working for a temp agency we thought
this is how they see if they like you and then hire you if you perform well. Never happened. Now I must say our group of "temps" got a separate contract than the other 800
temps in the company, higher salaries than the regular workers but nothing else, no benefits and only holidays because the manager was a great guy and gave us them out
of the department budget.
After 5 years I started asking about the legality of this after employees at Microsoft sued and won a class action lawsuit because they were temps for a little over a year and
they won their back wages and benefits.
We kept getting excuse after excuse, they were trying but they couldn't find positions for us. B/S. Other departments were doing it all the time. But it was a great job with great
people so we worked and kept waiting. That day never came. Since I left the company to begin a new career after back surgery I don't regret leaving and will never work for
anyone but myself from now on.
They rule the roost now and it can only go downhill from here if they can get away with that.

[msanthrope]

73. Some advice?

1) Document, document, document. As in, when your husband gets to work, and when he leaves.

2) If he's to 'lowly' to pay by direct deposit, it means that the job itself is too 'lowly' to invest real time and effort.

3) He doesn't have direct deposit because the company doesn't have enough cash reserves to ensure that a payroll company (think, ADP) will pay out for them.

4) This company is swirling the bowl.

5) Call the Department of Labor and figure out how to file for unpaid wages. File the claim.

6) If he's fired, he can go on unemployment, which might work out better, wage/hour-wise for you. If he can show he filed the claim, then got fired, he's bullet-proof.

[Nikia]

74. Not nearly that bad

But I report directly to "the heir" and he has really been coming into his own. He works long hours, working hard to grow the business, so he he seems unsymphathetic about my direct reports and I not having his same priorities. I don't think that I will get fired anytime soon for not working quite as much as he would like, but I don't think that I'm going to get a raise while I am working there either.

[vduhr]

76. Your saying that the union isn't any help.....

If the company isn't paying the workers on time, or not paying overtime, isn't that covered in the union contract? Perhaps the workers should have a meeting with the union officials to find out specifically why this company is getting away with these things. Couldn't hurt.

[guruoo]

77. I recommend that you document everything, and then

lawyer up.

[onlyadream]

79. My hubby hasn't had a raise in 4 years

and he has a top posisiton for a large company. He is an over-achiever, and is a valued employee, but he's supposed to feel lucky to have a job (and I suppose he is lucky). Things are very wrong when the very educated/hardworking (in a tech field) are scraping by. Where's the hope for the others (and our children)? What are they going to have to do (leave the country for a job)?

[wryter2000]

80. I am truly lucky

I work for a company that's wonderful to its employees. Believe me, I know how rare that is, and I'm thankful for it every day. (Even when my boss drives me crazy.) We're a non-profit, though, so the company goal isn't to squeeze every penny out of its employees.

[XanaDUer]

82. I was laid off last month

but the remaining (victims) employees are being told variations on the theme: "Love it or leave it" and "Just be glad you still have a job."

Way to go to motivate the remaining troops!

[1monster]

83. Been there during the GHWBush's recession. I had worked for a company for nine

years when it was bought out by another. I had worked for years to get a schedule where I worked only four nights per month. The new company rescheduled me to four nights a week, despite knowing that I was taking evening classes and had just paid tuition for another semester. They promised that they would reset the schedule so I could continue classes. After two months, during a meeting, I asked when the schedule would be changed. I was told, "You work for us; we don't work for you."

The manager was constantly checking the time sheets for over time. When he found it, he would erase the over time hours and put those hours on the next week's time sheet as regular hours. When challenged, he would say something like, "Wanna make something of it?" There were no other jobs.

Also, all employees with dependent children were fired, finessed out of their jobs, or harassed to the point that they walked off the job within a year and a half.

When jobs are scarce, employers get away with everything short of murder -- and probably that too.

[XanaDUer]

85. Funny you should mention that

at my old workplace, the managers would try to force the hourly workers to clock out and then keep working off the clock. Or, now, post the latest round of layoffs, clock out 15 minutes early to "save money" but you will bet the employees don't get to lay their work down and leave when they clock out.

And this was in a better economy, so I cannot imagine what they are doing to them now they are all quaking in their shoes for being laid off in the next round, which management swears is not coming. But no one believes them on that.

[joanbarnes]

88. Be grateful if you've got a job.

Yes, and then they stopped paying us altogether and went out of business. Still owe me $4000, they declared bankruptcy and got off the hook.

[bluescribbler]

89. It's happening everywhere

I was laid off last March. Finally found a job, (temp, no benefits), in September, at 80% of my previous pay. :mad:

[dembotoz]

90. oh please be careful

what is the health of the company.
My former employer started have late pay days last summer.
by end of oct they closed.
they did not pay health ins prem in sept so there was no cobra.
group health was canceled by the provider.
I had a new gig in 1 week--long story but lucky stars.....
At any rate, i am owed about 10k with little or no hope in getting it.
Commission is not treated same as hourly.
the hourly folks should be ok.
Me in sales???? basically fucked.
i can sue
but if no money is left.......


KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN
and the resume updated.

[trud]

91. yes