Yes

2 of 13

by Ann Caimen

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Generally, yes, I would take a pay cut to save a coworker's job. The only reason I wouldn't would be if the coworker was lazy and didn't really deserve to keep their job. It wouldn't make sense to sacrifice part of my paycheck so someone else can get paid to be lazy and not do their work whenever the manager turns their back. In that case, the other person doesn't really deserve to keep their job.

Let's say for the sake of argument that this coworker is a hard-working employee, valuable to the company. Sacrificing some of your pay to save their job would not only be a nice thing to do. It would also be mutually beneficial. First of all, a lot of businesses are struggling right now and no one's job is safe in this economy. Doing everything you can to help the company you work for can increase your chances of keeping your own job. Secondly, you'll be doing the right thing to help out someone else. Not only are you setting a good example for your coworkers, but that person will remember that good thing you did for them and you may end up needing their help. They may be more willing to help you if you helped them before. I also firmly believe it's our duty to help other people when we have the opportunity and the resources. Obviously, if you have a huge amount of debt you should be using your money to pay bills instead of giving it to charity, but if taking a pay cut will just mean you'll have to give up a few extra things and just might not be able to go out as much the sacrifice is worth it. Remember, you're helping someone else keep their job.

America is a country of freedom. I believe that freedom has caused a lot of people to become selfish and focus on their own problems. It's partly just human nature, but we can turn it around if we really want to. Sacrificing for other people is a way to show that we're capable of helping other people. When it comes to sacrificing part of your paycheck to save someone else's job, it's beneficial to you anyway. There's really no reason not to unless the amount you would have to sacrifice would keep you from paying your own bills or the person whose job you're trying to save doesn't really do their job or fulfill their commitments. Other than that, sacrificing some of your pay would be a good thing to do. If you're willing to make that sacrifice your boss will remember that too, so if things get better for the company you'll probably end up making the same amount of money you were making.

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