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.
Makes a lot of sense. Didn't understand the whole time sheet thing since I thought that was one of the perks of being salaried--no time sheets. Thanks BabyLady.
Just wanted to add something to all the other good advice already posted. I worked for a non profit in the past and we were constantly bombarded with the old song & dance about being a non profit so we can't pay as much, give as much, etc. Basically that is a load of nonsense. My former employers' primary funding sources were Medicaid and Medicare; the same as the for profit companies providing the same services we did. In addition my former non profit employer received grant funding, private contributions and quite a few tax cuts due to their non profit status. The managers and administrators in the top tiers of the company made salaries and received perks on par with their peers in the for profit companies. What the non profit didn't do was pay dividends to stockholders. Nor did my former employer re invest any of their profits into updating software, equipment, training for employees beyond the basics or increased benefits. At least not until they were forced to replace items or arrange for mandated training. Those profits did go into pay raises for the upper tiers of management, perks such as company provided cars and fully paid health insurance.
My point is I get very tired of hearing that line about how being a non profit means that an employer operates on some kind of higher moral plain or has inadequate funding to pay competive wages, offer decent benefits plus the constant (at least in my experience) refrain of give some of your time for free because we are a non profit and we have no money. There may be exceptions to my experiences with non profits but from a business perspective they have to make a profit just like everyone else; they just don't answer to shareholders/stockholders or pay dividends on stock. Being non profit does not automatically equate to being morally superior.
Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.
You were shafted. They played you for a fool, and won. How unprofessional of your boss to have such a conversation in a parking lot. Now that you realize the implications, I would have an official sit-down with the boss and put all your cards down on the table.
You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Just wanted to add something to all the other good advice already posted. I worked for a non profit in the past and we were constantly bombarded with the old song & dance about being a non profit so we can't pay as much, give as much, etc. Basically that is a load of nonsense. My former employers' primary funding sources were Medicaid and Medicare; the same as the for profit companies providing the same services we did. In addition my former non profit employer received grant funding, private contributions and quite a few tax cuts due to their non profit status. The managers and administrators in the top tiers of the company made salaries and received perks on par with their peers in the for profit companies. What the non profit didn't do was pay dividends to stockholders. Nor did my former employer re invest any of their profits into updating software, equipment, training for employees beyond the basics or increased benefits. At least not until they were forced to replace items or arrange for mandated training. Those profits did go into pay raises for the upper tiers of management, perks such as company provided cars and fully paid health insurance.
My point is I get very tired of hearing that line about how being a non profit means that an employer operates on some kind of higher moral plain or has inadequate funding to pay competive wages, offer decent benefits plus the constant (at least in my experience) refrain of give some of your time for free because we are a non profit and we have no money. There may be exceptions to my experiences with non profits but from a business perspective they have to make a profit just like everyone else; they just don't answer to shareholders/stockholders or pay dividends on stock. Being non profit does not automatically equate to being morally superior.
OK soapbox put away, mini rant over now.
I have to agree. It's often misunderstood, but non-profits do in fact make a profit (have to, to stay in business) but they get special tax breaks and other special treatment. And their CEOs are most certainly very well compensated, don't anyone doubt that.
So non-profit status is no reason to pay less (or violate labor laws ).
Well, you were already a sucker for staying longer and not wanting to get paid for it by not listing your correct hours on the time sheet. Maybe the boss thought you would be even more charitable by changing to a salaried position (which will probably entail longer hours without OT compensation).
I'm sorry, but you got played. ...so much for being charitable. Go to HR and say you were unclear on the details of the salaried position and want to renegotiate, or ask for your wages to be made hourly again... and ask about your benefits, too! Otherwise, you just look someone they can step all-over on. Good luck to you.
If the OP hasn't signed a new contract, being as the conversation took place in the parking lot - do the management have a leg to stand on?
Although I'm sure this wouldn't happen, because the OP is morally above such tactics, but he/she could potentially deny that the conversation even took place, being as there is no record of the event.... not even a signature.
. What an unscrupulous company!!
Thank you all.
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dekagirlsRN
137 Posts
To be honest, after reading everyone's replies, I have a knot in my stomach. Wow. You've all given me so much more to think about.
Thank you all.