What do you think about my pay cut?

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Hi everyone. Wanted to hear some opinions about a recent pay cut I received. I was hired a couple of months ago (in September) as an RN for a residential rehab facility (12 beds). I did not have any addiction experience so I was happy to have the opportunity to get into the field, and therefore didn't mind taking a pay cut to get the job--was making $31/hr at previous job, and hired at this rehab facility for $25/hr (or $52,000/yr). It's a 40 hour work week, but I put in way more than 40 hours but never put more than 40 down on my time sheet--I know many of you will say I'm wrong to do that but the facility is non-profit and they don't have a lot of money (I think).

In the meantime, my boss, the director, is constantly telling me what a great job I'm doing, how happy she is I'm there, blah, blah, blah, in other words, I've heard nothing negative or any complaints.

My boss pulled me aside the other day in the parking lot, telling me once again what a great job I'm doing, and that she is going to make me a salary employee. She stated that it is mostly for bookkeeping purposes but that I should still fill out a timesheet. I thanked her (what a fool I must have looked like) because at the time I wasn't sure what the perks were to being a salaried employee but I was sure there must be something good about it. On Friday, I got my first paycheck as a salaried employee and boy was I shocked to see that I actually got a PAY CUT. I am now salaried making $50,000, a $2000 pay cut! I called the bookkeeper to see if maybe there was a mistake. She said "no, I thought they talked to you about this." I asked her how many hours a week it is based on, and she said "40 but salaried employees always work a lot more."

I still like my job a lot, but now I feel like a such a sucker. Plus, my husband is giving me a hard time because I took two pay cuts since my last job and now I'm working longer hours, taking time away from my kids. He also believes that when I was first hired, I should have asked for something in lieu of not needing medical insurance (i.e. more pay or vacation time) but I didn't. I probably have no other choice except to accept this if I want to work there, but I'm upset because they weren't truthful in the salary when I was hired. I know the economy sucks and I should just be happy I have a job, but isn't it crummy of them to change the terms of the agreement. Guess I just felt like venting. Thanks for listening.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

So you're not getting any benefits, either?

IDK that you really have any leg to stand on since you agreed to the salaried employee status. This company certainly isn't behaving in an ethical manner, but without being too harsh, they played you for a sucker. Never "feel sorry" for your employer and work off the clock like you did at first. Salaried employee means you get paid for 40h regardless of how many hours you work. Theoretically, you could work 32h and still get paid for 40h, but I doubt in this facility you will ever get to take advantage of going home early.

If I were you, I would start looking for another job ASAP. It's not going to get better.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

Since you are such a good worker, it should'nt be a problem you going to your manager to see if you all can come up with a good plan. Such maybe working four days a week with ten hour days, to give you an example. I hope everything works out at home and work. Keep us posted.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.
So you're not getting any benefits, either?

IDK that you really have any leg to stand on since you agreed to the salaried employee status. This company certainly isn't behaving in an ethical manner, but without being too harsh, they played you for a sucker. Never "feel sorry" for your employer and work off the clock like you did at first. Salaried employee means you get paid for 40h regardless of how many hours you work. Theoretically, you could work 32h and still get paid for 40h, but I doubt in this facility you will ever get to take advantage of going home early.

If I were you, I would start looking for another job ASAP. It's not going to get better.

It would be hard for her to look for another job due to working long hours. If she has an interview she would have to call in. If she don't get the job it will put more strain on this job. I do agree with OCNN63, but it is said then done.

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Hi,

I'm sorry to hear this. It sure sounds to me like they're taking advantage of you! They have officially made you "exempt" (from paying you OT for hours worked > 40/wk, that is - it's not something "prestigious", actually, it generally does more harm than good). It's for this reason that most nurses in nonsupervisory positions are perfectly content to be "nonexempt", or hourly employees, which means that they have to be properly compensated for actual time worked!

Employers cannot arbitarily decide to make you exempt, however; I'm no expert at this, of course (there's lots of info on the Internet, though), but you generally have to be in a supervisory position and/or meet some other criteria to "qualify" for exempt status (read: for your employer to be able to get away with this). It has been argued - by employers, of course - that all RNs are professionals and should therefore be exempt; however, so far they have not been able to succeed with this (can you imagine the nursing shortage we would have if this were the case?!)

Anyway, I suspect your supervisor noticed that you put in more than 40 hours but were content to claim no more than that; so she thought you would be easily convinced to accept exempt status. Employers cannot, however, just do that if your position does not meet the criteria for exempt status (in this case, they are breaking the law).

So what can you do? First, I would do some research on exempt vs. nonexempt status. With this info, I would request a meeting with my manager and request that she reinstate your hourly status (if you do qualify for exempt status, you could ask that your workload or caseload be reduced so you don't have to put in more than 40 hours on average). If this doesn't work, you could always talk to an lawyer specializing in labor law; just getting a letter from a lawyer might quickly convince your employer that you're not exempt, after all. However, it will definitely not make you popular at work.

Do you really love this job? Just how many hours do they expect you to work? What is your real hourly (and annual) wage based on that? Is it worth it to you? Another consideration: Exempt employees typically receive excellent benefits; do you?

Only you can make this decision. I wish you the very best!

DeLana

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You didn't ask what the salary was before agreeing?!

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I went from a salaried position M-F (normally over 40 hours/week) to a now hourly position-M-F-actually get OT if I work over 40-shat a concept!!

Make more per hour too.

Lovely.

To the OP-did you have to sign papers that you were now going to be salaried??

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You didn't ask what the salary was before agreeing?!

It was an odd conversation because it took place in the parking lot while she was getting into her car. I don't know why, but I assumed it wouldn't be LESS than what I was making, especially since I was receiving so many kudos. I know, I'm such a fool.

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I went from a salaried position M-F (normally over 40 hours/week) to a now hourly position-M-F-actually get OT if I work over 40-shat a concept!!

Make more per hour too.

Lovely.

To the OP-did you have to sign papers that you were now going to be salaried??

No I didn't sign anything.

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

legally they have to have you sign something for them to change your rate of pay. I would find another job if one of two things didnt hapen, 1) they give you a raise, more than the $2000 lost for the salaried position OR 2) they put you at your origional salaried rate and you get paid your overtime accordingly.

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First look immediately for a new job, your a R.N. there are jobs!

Report her to the labor board!

Then to H.R. and the CEO SHE NEEDS TO BE REPORTED!

NEVER LOOK BACK A LESON LEARNED!

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.
Hi everyone. Wanted to hear some opinions about a recent pay cut I received. I was hired a couple of months ago (in September) as an RN for a residential rehab facility (12 beds). I did not have any addiction experience so I was happy to have the opportunity to get into the field, and therefore didn't mind taking a pay cut to get the job--was making $31/hr at previous job, and hired at this rehab facility for $25/hr (or $52,000/yr). It's a 40 hour work week, but I put in way more than 40 hours but never put more than 40 down on my time sheet--I know many of you will say I'm wrong to do that but the facility is non-profit and they don't have a lot of money (I think).

In the meantime, my boss, the director, is constantly telling me what a great job I'm doing, how happy she is I'm there, blah, blah, blah, in other words, I've heard nothing negative or any complaints.

My boss pulled me aside the other day in the parking lot, telling me once again what a great job I'm doing, and that she is going to make me a salary employee. She stated that it is mostly for bookkeeping purposes but that I should still fill out a timesheet. I thanked her (what a fool I must have looked like) because at the time I wasn't sure what the perks were to being a salaried employee but I was sure there must be something good about it. On Friday, I got my first paycheck as a salaried employee and boy was I shocked to see that I actually got a PAY CUT. I am now salaried making $50,000, a $2000 pay cut! I called the bookkeeper to see if maybe there was a mistake. She said "no, I thought they talked to you about this." I asked her how many hours a week it is based on, and she said "40 but salaried employees always work a lot more."

I still like my job a lot, but now I feel like a such a sucker. Plus, my husband is giving me a hard time because I took two pay cuts since my last job and now I'm working longer hours, taking time away from my kids. He also believes that when I was first hired, I should have asked for something in lieu of not needing medical insurance (i.e. more pay or vacation time) but I didn't. I probably have no other choice except to accept this if I want to work there, but I'm upset because they weren't truthful in the salary when I was hired. I know the economy sucks and I should just be happy I have a job, but isn't it crummy of them to change the terms of the agreement. Guess I just felt like venting. Thanks for listening.

I'll be honest...your not-for-profit organization is ripping you off in more ways than one.

They want you to keep a time sheet because the job of a registered nurse, is an HOURLY PAID position by the guidelines of the US Department of Labor.

They cannot, legally pay you salary, even if they wanted to...and they are in violation of labor laws if they do so.

That is why all nurses that are in direct patient care (management is different) get paid hourly...trust me, all employers would pay nurses a salary and work them to death, if they could get away with it.

That is why she wants you to keep a time sheet...so she can "fix" the books if she ever gets audited.

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