“The salary package offered to a middle manager is one fifth lower than what he could have obtained last year. Instead of receiving an €18,000 car, he receives one worth €10,000 one,” said Manolache. IT specialists have also been affected as companies are presently recruit these for €600 instead of some €800 in 2008. The value of a recruiter fell to €500 from €600-800 and that of a marketing manager to €1,200 from €1,500-3,000. Companies are determining payment based on performance in order to cut costs. Sometimes, the efficiency of employees can make a difference. “For instance, a sales specialist who is recruited at this time, the fixed share of salary is lower than last year, while his commission makes up a higher percentage of sales. Thus, an efficient person can earn more now than last year,” said the company’s Managing Partner. Persons with high salaries are often, and unfairly, the first to be laid off, according to the Skill Team official, who warned that companies risk losing their key personnel. Many companies have opted to externalize the recruitment process to cut costs. However, in some companies personnel turnover slid to slightly over 12 percent from 50 percent. “At present, specialists are refusing a doubling of the salaries they have at their present place of employment, in order to benefit from stability,” added Manolache.
