There’s something happening that you can’t do anything about but you need to recognize it so that you are prepared. Citi is counting on your fear to “step in line with putting in more hours”. Its a way to prove you’re dedicated to the cause and are “worthy” to continue to work here. Keep in mind, doing so with no increase in salary. As a matter of fact most likely a reduction in pay for many. Regardless of what was said to in the last town hall, let’s face it, Citi does NOT pay fair market value for the roles.
The job market is getting better and interest rates are lowering which spurs company growth. Jobs will resurrect the first of next year across all sectors. I suggest to cast a wide net beyond the financial sector to all sectors on searching for another job. A coder at a bank can be a coder at transportation or retail or medical field. A friend of mine was a firewall guy at a tech company. During the layoff rumors there, he started searching and got a job as the firewall guy at Frito Lays making more money and equal benefits.
My point being that whatever your role is, its not like Citi is the only place ever in existence will ever have or employ that role, no other company ever will have job openings doing coding, tech work, number crunching etc… EVEN THOUGH CITI WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE THIS. Believing in this, re-affirms the fear factor that Citi fosters to make you “step in line” and crank out those extra hours without the increase in pay.
What are your options. Well that’s easy.
First: Do exactly that, give them more hours with no extra pay and come to grips with no work life balance.
Second: Do just enough to keep from getting fired.
Third: Move on to some other company.
My favorite is the third option. I’m aware that it sometimes takes many months to interview much less actually land a job. So, start now on the process, how can this be a bad thing. One thing is for sure, if you stay at Citi, you can expect more of the same ole, same ole and continue to watch the CEO and a few levels lower get those multimillion $ raises, bonus’s and stock payout while you get the honor of putting in even more hours with less pay. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Stay and reconcile with it, or work toward leaving.