Anything I can Do?

Question

Both my husband and I work for the same company as general managers for about a year now. We relocated our whole life from LA to San jose. I was managing 1 store and getting paid 45k and my husband was managing 2 for 60k. Then they gave both of us 5 stores to manage together BUT gave us a pay cut me down to 40k and my hubby down to 48k. They company was really struggling but they kept telling us it will get better so we stuck around.(i know thats our fault) they asked us to start laying people off in our stores, so we did. then of course we are under staffed so me and my husband are covering shifts instead of marketing etc.. So saturday we find out they want to fire all of their managers because they think its our fault that we are not making any money for the stores....now my question is, is there anything I can do? I dont think this is fair at all...we bust our butts all day for the stores. none of the other managers work as hard as us. WHAT CAN I DO?

we are for sure both looking for other jobs. and 6months in the company i wanted to look for another but again was told this would get better and to please just stick around.

Answer 1

Increase the profitability of the stores so they can see that you are worth a lot more, and can afford to pay you a lot more.

Stop covering shifts instead of marketing, Do you job right.

Answer 2

When a company starts to go downhill, they always say that things will turn around so that they don't loose the good workers. You and your husband have great experience. It is best that you get other jobs now before it goes bankrupt and you can't use them as a reference anymore.
I once read an article on financial survival. It listed two things. First, a couple should not work for the same employer and not in the same industry. If one looses his/her job, there is still the other paycheque. Secondly, don't invest your money in the same industries you work in. Again, if the industry takes a bad hit the shares of the company will become worthless. Just something you might want to keep in mind in the future.

Answer 3

You should talk to a lawyer. You should also start to shop around for another company. Good managers are hard to find and their competitors are waiting in the wings like wolves for you guys to start leaving the company so they can hire you. Be amongst the first. Of course the lawyer might suggest you stay on and make them lay you off, so get that advice first, but start thinking about stronger franchises in your area that would want you to work for them. Making you work as a "team" is probably what will get your current company in trouble - you are managers, not franchisees.

Answer 4

This should be a valuable lesson for you that having a job is Just Over Broke. Learn to work smart, not hard. Hard work only makes your muscles sore and dulls your mind.

Seems like two of you are capable managing 5 stores. Why don't you investigate to manage just one --- business of your own. I guarantee you much shorter hours and higher pay than what you are getting now.

Answer 5

Probably nothing except look for new jobs. I had a similar situation where we kept getting told to stick around, we're turning the corner, etc. Of course, they ended up folding completely.

Answer 6

You might be able to recover damages based on the fact that you relied on their information to your detriment. I think this is called Promisory Estoppel. You may want to consult a lawyer and find out if there is anything else.
Before you do that though consider any of the contracts you signed and wether or not it will be worth your time.

Answer 7

Look for another job

Answer 8

get another job