Chapter 28 Monday, March 28th

Last weekend, it was said that President Li and others had finalized the project plan near the Guesthouse of Horrors. They would be conducting inspections and officially starting construction soon.

Of course, their renovation of these hotels and restaurants wouldn't involve building from scratch. They were using the existing buildings in the old industrial area for remodeling. With extra shifts and hard work, they should be able to complete the project at the same time as the Guesthouse of Horrors. Even if some individual projects were delayed, it wouldn't be for too long.

As long as the money was there, China's construction speed was always satisfactory.

Pei Qian was slightly surprised that the plan had been developed so quickly, but he still maintained emotional stability.

*Sigh*, he couldn't stop it, so he would just let it be.

Today was Monday. Pei Qian had originally planned to go straight to Fei Huang Studio to announce the "Shock Therapy Plan," but Hao Yun from the Human Resources Department said she had something to report. So, after lunch, Pei Qian came to headquarters first.

Pei Qian was a little puzzled because the Human Resources Department shouldn't have much to do lately.

Could it be that Hao Yun was bored and creating work for herself out of thin air?

If that were the case, it seemed like a very bad sign. Pei Qian would have to consider replacing the head of the Human Resources Department.

Hao Yun knocked and entered.

"President Pei, this is mainly to report on the salary adjustment plans submitted by various departments."

Pei Qian was even more confused: "Salary adjustment plans?"

What did this mean?

Wanda's benefits weren't good enough?

Could it be... that there was still room for me to improve?

Pei Qian suddenly became interested.

Hao Yun said, "That's right, President Pei. With the goal of 'strengthening the foundation,' each department has conducted a self-examination of its internal situation. Among them, some departments have realized that there are unreasonable phenomena of salary inversion among employees."

"After studying it, our Human Resources Department believes that this phenomenon seems to be common in various departments. So, we used Friday afternoon and this morning to quickly compile statistics and report to you."

Pei Qian understood a little, but was still confused.

He knew what salary inversion meant.

Salary inversion generally refers to a situation in a company where the salaries of new employees are higher than those of old employees, the salaries of front-line employees are higher than those of management, or the salaries of subordinates are higher than those of supervisors.

This phenomenon exists in many companies. For example, an old employee joined the company two years ago at a market price of 3,000 yuan per month. Even if there were salary increases during those two years, they wouldn't be much. However, two years later, the market price became 4,500 yuan per month. The salary of a new, inexperienced employee was higher than that of the old employee as soon as they joined the company. This created a salary inversion.

Salary inversion is a very common phenomenon because most companies can't afford the cost of adjusting the salaries of all employees to the current market price every year.

Because of this, most companies prohibit employees from discussing salaries with each other, as this would expose the phenomenon of salary inversion and cause a large number of old employees to become dissatisfied or resign.

If a supervisor finds that they are doing more work but earning less than a new employee, their mindset will inevitably collapse.

Wanda, as a company that had been established for more than a year, had recruited several batches of employees. Although there were frequent company-wide salary increases, there were still some cases of salary inversion due to differences in each person's position, qualifications, and abilities.

Of course, because Wanda frequently raised salaries and other benefits accounted for a high proportion of total compensation, the salary inversion situation was much better than in other companies.

However, Hao Yun felt that, in the spirit of "foundation strengthening" of the Cornerstone Spirit, salary inversion was ultimately a hidden danger. Although other companies didn't care about it, and it was true that nothing would happen if they didn't care, it was still better to report it to President Pei and let President Pei decide.

Pei Qian took the information from Hao Yun's hand. The strings of numbers made him a little dizzy.

After pretending to look at it for a while, Pei Qian said, "So, you're saying that the base salary of some new employees is higher than that of old employees, is that what you mean?"

Hao Yun considered it and said, "That's what it means, but the actual situation is a bit more complicated than that."

"Simply put, for example, if an old employee joined half a year earlier than a new employee and their actual work ability and experience are obviously higher than the new employee's, but their actual base salary is only 200 yuan higher, this is actually a form of disguised salary inversion."

Pei Qian's eyes lit up involuntarily.

Well done! He was worried about not having a reason to continue raising employee salaries!

"This problem is easy to solve."

"Add money!"

"Every once in a while, screen based on the highest salary standard for newly recruited employees and make up the difference for all old employees!"

Hao Yun was stunned for a moment: "Uh, President Pei, that's certainly the best way to handle it. But I must remind you that such a universal salary increase is fine when there are few employees. When there are more and more employees in the future, the amount of money increased each time will also increase, even completely exceeding what we can imagine at this time..."

"Other companies basically... save expenses in this area. All industries do the same."

The more it rises, the better?

That's great!

Pei Qian was as happy as if he had picked up money and said decisively, "Just do it like that, raise it immediately!"

"No matter how many old employees there are, no matter how much money is missing, raise it all!"

Hao Yun confirmed again: "All of them?"

She was well aware that what President Pei meant by "raise it all" wasn't to make everyone's salary the same, but to eliminate the salary inversion situation.

Pei Qian didn't hesitate: "Yes, raise it all! There should still be time, starting this month, have the finance department redo the salary table."

Hao Yun nodded with emotion: "Yes, I understand. I'll go notify the finance department immediately."

Although Hao Yun had vaguely anticipated such a result before the report, President Pei's urgent expression still made her feel President Pei's care for all the old employees.

Hao Yun was about to turn around and leave when she was stopped by President Pei again.

"Wait a minute."

"You said at the beginning that, with the goal of 'strengthening the foundation,' each department conducted a self-examination of its internal situation and discovered the phenomenon of salary inversion... Why strengthen the foundation?"

Pei Qian suddenly realized that Hao Yun's initial words in the report were a bit problematic.

Hao Yun smiled slightly: "President Pei, didn't you issue the Cornerstone Award last Friday, implying that all departments should strengthen their foundations? That's why the departments started self-examination, but other than salary inversion, they didn't find any serious problems."

Pei Qian blinked, a little confused.

It's related to me again?

I issued the Cornerstone Award to imply that everyone should strengthen their foundations?

That wasn't the intention.

Hmm... but it seems to be achieving the same goal by different routes.

They didn't find any other problems, just a small problem with salary inversion, and it also made me spend more money.

That's pretty good!

Pei Qian didn't find any other problems and nodded: "Okay, go notify the finance department."

...

After Hao Yun left, Pei Qian packed his things and rushed to Fei Huang Studio.

Now that *A Beautiful Tomorrow* had been taken off the screens and the contract with Aili Island had been signed, Pei Qian had had enough.

He had to take advantage of the fact that these people hadn't caused any new troubles yet and seize the time to "shock" them!

The system had made an exception and allowed one department to be shocked each cycle. This was already very kind, and Pei Qian felt that he had to make good use of it.

Arriving at Fei Huang Studio, Pei Qian found that only a small number of employees were browsing the web and watching dramas.

A large number of employees were actually still working!

President Pei saw it and felt pain in his heart.

Look, look, is this something that humans do?

The project had already been completed, and the new project hadn't started yet, but some people were still forcing themselves to work?

It seemed that Fei Huang Studio really had a big problem. This wrong idea of working hard had become deeply ingrained. It had to be "shocked" immediately for treatment!

Huang Sibo and Zhu Xiaoce were discussing something in front of the computer screen. When they saw President Pei coming, they quickly stood up.

"President Pei, why are you here?"

Pei Qian decided not to waste any more words and said directly: "It's nothing else, I'm here to announce a new system."

"The Shock Therapy Plan!"

"A large amount of profit means a large amount of effort. The more money you earn, the more you overdraw."

"On the surface, making money is a good thing, but there are also hidden dangers. It not only overdraws your energy and health, but also your inspiration and talent!"

"Therefore, for departments that are severely overdrawn, we will arrange 'shock therapy.' For the next four months, all employees of Fei Huang Studio will receive their usual salaries and benefits, but will not do any work."

"During the entire treatment period, you should focus on restoring your energy, health, inspiration, and talent."

"The shock therapy period for Fei Huang Studio is four months starting next month, which is from April 1st to July 31st."

Everyone present was dumbfounded.

What did this mean? The entire department was given four months of paid leave?

Other companies give paid leave to individuals to ensure that after the person goes on leave, their work can be handed over to colleagues to complete.

But when it came to them, the entire department went on vacation?

Moreover, it was clearly paid leave, so why did President Pei say it so seriously, even with a bit of gnashing of teeth?

This didn't feel like he was talking about paid leave, but rather like he was announcing exile...

Huang Sibo was stunned for a moment and said, "But President Pei, that won't work. Even if the studio isn't doing a new project, someone has to be responsible for the daily work. It can't be completely shut down."

"This shock therapy can't become death therapy..."

Pei Qian thought for five seconds: "Then arrange rotational shifts to ensure that the studio can maintain the minimum level of normal operation."

"Divide the studio staff into groups, with each group responsible for one month. Ensure that everyone's 'shock' lasts for four months, but because of the rotational shifts, the entire shock therapy period will be extended to five months, which is August 31st."

Huang Sibo hesitated: "But there's still..."

Pei Qian's face darkened: "No buts. Overcome the difficulties yourself. You must enter shock therapy before April 1st!"

Huang Sibo looked at Zhu Xiaoce. Both of them had a look of reluctance on their faces.

But in the end, they both nodded: "Okay, President Pei, we'll arrange it right away."

Pei Qian showed a satisfied smile: "Very good. During the shock period, only maintain normal operation, and don't start any new projects. And don't worry about not being able to create value for the company. You've already given enough!"

Huang Sibo was a little touched: "Okay, President Pei! But please rest assured that even if we're on vacation, Fei Huang Studio will still be able to create value for the company!"

Pei Qian's smile froze on his face: "?"

Zhu Xiaoce stepped aside, revealing the computer screen that the two of them had been surrounding earlier: "President Pei, *A Beautiful Tomorrow* has been favored by an overseas distribution company and will be arranged for overseas release!"