It sounds similar to the kinds of stories I heard during the dot-com crash.

And oh yes, THIS. I'm getting horrible flashbacks to when I was laid off from the first real full-time job I ever had because the CEO was told by their accountant that if she didn't let someone go she was going to lose the company. The actions you're describing are NOT those of a financially healthy institution, and are sounding increasingly desperate.

{{{Teppy}}} My God, what a gaggle of asshats. Like everyone said, you deserve much better.

And do companies really still only give one week's vacation to new staff?

Well, I dunno. I haven't job-hunted in 13 years.

I think it depends on where you work. If you were to get a job at my employer, they're kinda boxed in by the fact they're a state agency with lots of rules, and you'd earn 8 hours per month for the first year with gradual increments each year until you're like me (because my pre-Annabel service credit still counts) and get 16 hours per month. But in the private sector, especially with a small organization, I'd think that would be a good issue to negotiate.

OTOH, there's something to be said for large state organizations. Even the worst boss I had wouldn't have pulled that crap, because she didn't have the power to do so without raising all kinds of red flags with HR.

The actions you're describing are NOT those of a financially healthy institution, and are sounding increasingly desperate.

So much this. First the mandatory compressed schedule, and now this? This is like when you're in university and debating which cds to sell for beer money.

FWIW, I've never worked somewhere where benefits were really negotiable, though people keep saying it can be. But I've also never encountered vacay less than 2 wks at start. So I'd expect to lose a week going somewhere else, but probably not more than that.

Oh, and Steph? Since you're apparently an hourly employee now, ::coughbastardscough:: here's a suggestion. Go through whatever records you have or can compile and see what kind of time you can document, going back as far as you can. My old boss got caught up in a similar situation and one of her coworkers filed a complaint with Labor - since you've been reclassified as hourly there's every chance you've been inadvertently reclassified as non-exempt. The company ended up forced to pay them overtime for every hour over forty they could document going back to the start of their employment.

The actions you're describing are NOT those of a financially healthy institution, and are sounding increasingly desperate.

Yes, this. And I'm so sorry you're being treated so awfully by those ... things masquerading as people and responsible employers.

But I've also never encountered vacay less than 2 wks at start.

Most places I've worked, a new hire gets no vacation and has to earn it a few hours a pay period, and you try to save up some to roll over for next year when the cycle starts over.

Utah is a Right to Work state, AKA Right to Screw Over Your Employees So Long As Some Poor Schmoe Is Willing To Take It.

Yeah, I think it really depends on industry and state.

I have to deal with a few aspects of my company that I don't really care for, but I am really very lucky. And I don't take it for granted. Not after spending 2001-2004 selling crap on eBay and temping.

Teppy, they're being asses and I am sorry you're the victim of their incompetence.

Brenda is wise. They can't have it both ways. If they treat you as hourly now you are possibly elegible for a lot of unpaid overtime leading up to this. Quite a few companies got nailed for this kind of BS in the eighties.

What a bunch of bullshit, Steph. I'm sorry the assholes have you down.

Teppy, I have to go ahead and quote people, because of the wisdom.

First Amy because, yeah...

They're FUCKTARDS, Steph. Bosses do this kind of thing because they can, for reasons that usually have no basis in reasonable behavior or expectations. You are NOT incompetent, and Boy deserves all sorts of hugs for his incredibly RIGHT reaction.

I know this hurts, because something like this always does, and a gut punch is exactly what it feels like. But please believe this is NOT a reflection on you at all. If you need to curl up and cry and sleep tonight, do that! And rant here all you like.

Then truthiness from Tom...

Pure speculation on my part, but the company closing the office one day a week? Arbitrarily cutting back an employee's salary? Could it be that the company isn't doing well financially, and the management is scrambling for fixes?

And what Brenda said about not having it both ways.

I've been an employer for 20 years (big business start anniversary next month). My best employee ever happens to be the weirdest ever. Believes in every internet conspiracy theory, the US behind 9-11, etc. Never vaccinated any of her children. Amuses us all with her wacky politics. Most competent worker evah. I don't care that she works from home 75% of the time. I don't care that when she is in the office she listens to wacko talk radio. She takes pride in her work. It has nothing to do with me.

I'm not saying I'm the best boss ever, but I think I recognize the competent employee vs. the waste of every dollar paid employee. For a whole lot of years I have read work related posts here from many Bitches. My read as an employer has been that Teppy cares about the quality of the work she does. This is something that has nothing to do with the employer but is an integral part of a person's character.

Teppy, they do not deserve you. Absolutely play the game of quantifying and being all dedicated, but your dedication needs to be directed to finding a worthy situation. You do not deserve this, and they clearly do not deserve you.