Workplace expectations are changing fast, and many employees are facing sudden schedule changes, overtime pressure, and pay disputes. Conversations about fair compensation, HR policies, and work-life balance are trending as workers rethink what’s reasonable. Recently, a reader sent us a letter about being asked to work Saturdays and then facing a salary cut.
Dear Bright Side,
My company just started a new project and told us we’d need to work Saturdays too. I refused and said, “Weekends are for family.”
After that, HR hired a younger part-time worker to cover my Saturdays.
Everything seemed fine until the end of the month, when my salary was reduced. I confronted HR, and she said, “We’re paying someone else to do your Saturday work, so we’re cutting your salary and paying him from your money.”
What they didn’t know was that, over the past few months, 3 recruiters had already contacted me about joining other companies.
So, the next day, without telling anyone, I deleted part of the work I had already done on the project—roughly the same percentage as the pay cut.
Then I told HR I was quitting. I knew this would put them in a difficult position because the project is at a sensitive stage. HR said, “You can’t do this now. You can’t leave your part unfinished—we’re relying on it.”
I just told them to ask the part-timer to handle it, because I wasn’t going to work for free.
Now I’m second-guessing myself. Did I make the wrong choice by leaving so abruptly? I’ve spent 4 years at this company, and part of me feels like I’m throwing that away.
But cutting my salary crossed a red line for me, and maybe I’d be better off starting fresh somewhere else.
I need your advice and honest opinion, please.
Sally
You definitely did the right thing by quitting. When they decided to cut your salary without notice they weren't really thinking about you and your family. You shouldn't have to stay under those conditions. If you ask me they don't even know what loyalty means
That depends on local labour laws.
You were completely justified and correct in your response. Stick to your guns.
Several years ago most companies stopped showing any loyalty to their workers which is why I think its foolish for an employee to give two weeks notice on quitting. Requiring a person to work Saturdays without added compensation is wrong unless it's a one time thing.
They claim it under salaried position. Most such jobs state and other duties as assigned.
I'm assuming they didn't give you any additional compensation when they expected you to work Saturdays so you were already taking a pay cut. Unless you were on salary the additional hours should have been at time and a half. Regardless, any employer pulling a stunt like that is not a company anyone should work for. However, deleting already completed work was totally wrong on your part.
it sounds like the completed part of project may have been done on extra time by the writer, so if uncompensated time was used, then he was justified in deleting it...why give it to the employer who cut his salary pay without first giving him notice that's what they would be doing?
They were stealing from you. you took the correct action.
I dont agree at all on what Shally did. While there is spl situation where contribution from employee required to meet a project , it is important to support org in critical situation. Most stupid thing she did is deleting the Code written, is high level of arrogance and selfishness.
From Sat timing, even if working hours is 8 hrs, do anyone work 8 hrs? Max we do 4-5 hrs. Rest 3 hrs org loose every day..
HR should take action even for code deleted.
So you admit to stealing? If company finds out you might face criminal charges as well as being fired & blacklisted.
The excuse of every one else does it just makes you the example for them.
Remember Time is Money 💰.
This company doesn’t value you or your work; you need to work somewhere where you are treated with dignity and respect, and are compensated fairly. Leaving is the right choice.
I think they should have fired her... Too lazy to work and do her duties
Actually, S. Devon, just likes to take the side of the ABUSIVE PARENTS, BOSSES and FAMILY MEMBERS, IN EVERY STORY. Doesn't have sense enough to actually UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE READING. PITY.
Hahaha he's one of those lol x
Great assumption without knowing the duties or employment contract.
Thank you, Sally, for your thoughtful letter. We really appreciate you sharing your experience so openly.
We have practical advice and next steps to help you protect yourself, respond to the salary cut, and move forward with confidence.
They literally threatened and caused harm to this person. This is not normal or ok. American work "culture" needs to update
Save your payslips, the “Saturdays required” message, and HR’s “pay him from your money” statement (screenshots/emails). Request a written breakdown of the deduction and the exact policy/contract clause they relied on.
Send the full packet to Finance and senior leadership (not HR) as a formal “unauthorized payroll deduction” case.
Recreate or restore what you removed (from backups, drafts, exports, or your own copy) and submit it with a dated handover note.
Otherwise, they can shift the story from “illegal pay cut” to “misconduct,” and you lose leverage. Keep your position clean: the issue is the salary reduction, not the project output.
I agree it's time to leave, but deleting the work you did while being paid for that work - no. Not right.
Offer a short, paid transition plan: 2–4 weeks, weekdays only, at a premium rate, with clear deliverables.
Put it in writing: exact tasks, deadlines, and handover/training for the part-timer. If they reject paid terms, you leave immediately and stop contributing.
Message the three recruiters today with a clear start window and ask for salary band + written offer steps.
Use your “immediate availability” as leverage to speed up interviews and offers. Once you sign, resign formally in writing and keep all communication documented.
Nelly was accidentally paid double salary. When HR asked her to repay the extra amount, she refused, saying she shouldn’t be held responsible for the company’s payroll mistake. Her case has gone viral, dividing opinions online and sparking a heated workplace money debate.
Look. If your working the weekends. That is time and half
If they are infact paying the part time gal out if your paycheck. Thats called stealing. You need to contact the other interested parties and cut a deal with of them. As for HR whinning of course their going to whine. They were under cutting you by taking money out of your paycheck and giving it another employee. Just for one days work. No one in their right mind would put with that sorta bull crap. So yes its time to move on. Let HR deal with the ness that they themselves created
Salaries are calculated using working days available, minus federal holidays and weekends (its 2080 hours in OR). Salaries are based off of a 40 hour work week, and adding a saturday to that, outside of contract, is illegal according to labor law (im not an attorney but im pretty sure this is the case). Added job responsibilities require renegotiation of original contract.
