Because your employer is no longer paying you

Your employer has hit hard times.

They can no longer pay you.

They’re not ready, however, to shut down the company, to let their dream die.

They want to work through this, in the hope that one day they’ll be viable again.

They want you to work through this, in the hope that one day they’ll be able to pay you again.

Out of loyalty to the people you’ve been working for so hard for so long, you agree to go on working without pay.

When the time comes to face the reality that their dream is already dead, they’ll shut down the company and lay you off, telling you that they have no choice.

Until then, you’re a slave to your employer’s delusions.