My company wants me to take a 12month pay freeze what should I do?
Accept it. And count your lucky stars that it’s not a P45 they’re handing you. Over the last month or so clients have been coming to our company looking for help in finding a new job because they’ve been given two months to go in their current positions.
When accepting the pay freeze, put yourself in the shoes of your boss, it’s a difficult position to be in, the company is struggling, cuts need to be made and decisions are tough. Don’t make this request tough. They won’t forget the good will that you showed them in these difficult times. You should however make them understand that this is for the betterment and future of the company.
Unfortunately, if you’re being asked to take a pay freeze things obviously mustn’t be good. You should begin to look at your options outside of your company and also outside of your industry. You need to be clear on how you and your skills are going to solve a company’s problems and meet their needs. You need to be very specific on what you can do for them; that there are only upsides.
You do need to think of the future for yourself. If you believe your company can pull through this, great. If you don’t, get looking.
Eoghan McDermott is Director of Careers, The Communication Clinic . www.communicationsclinic.ie
