Got my employment contract for the upcoming year (staff at private k12) and my hours have been increased while my hourly pay has gone down. Right now we work 7.25 hrs plus 45 min lunch. Next year they want us working 8 hours plus a 45 min lunch for a lower hourly rate. I asked HR for an explanation as to why my time is suddenly less valuable this year, and was told since we got 4% COLA raises (COLA in my state is 8% this year) I am still making more annually than I did this year. I feel like I’m taking crazy pills trying to explain to them that if I’m working LONGER days for the SAME paycheck, I am indeed getting paid less.