Raise not commensurate with promotionI have an ongoing wage issue with my boss. I was hired in almost 2 years ago for less than I should have been but since I was going from a 65 mile each way commute to 15 I felt it was a fair trade off short term. A few months later I had never actually done the job I was hired for since I was working beyond that level, I spoke with my boss and was told it would be adjusted with my annual raise since she acknowledged that I was low balled, this raise did not happen. A few months later a guy that was hired at the same time into a much higher position was on the way out due to poor performance, at this point I was given a promotion and his supervisory duties, this combined with the past raise that didn't happened resulted in a fair raise of about 6K, and a promise that when this person left I would have his management job. Fast forward he left the company I took the position with a great deal more respnsibility for a raise that left me making 10K less than he did. I prepared for a meeting with my boss and took in examples of similar positions within in the company and the surrounding area - I was well below all of them. I was given the expaination that because of the size of the first raise she was unable to get me to my predecessors pay but that I would get 7% in March and the balance by the end of the summer. Needless to say once again I received the standard that everyone got and am currently making 85% of what the guy that couldn't do the job made plus he came in with more vacation time than I currently have. I tried to talk with my boss last week about this and was told that she needed to finish what she was working on so clearly I need to schedule a meeting and make it official. I have talked to HR and since there are no set standards for pay ranges there isn't much they can do plus their staff is new and wasn't part of it originally so basically they can't/won't do anything at this point. I regularly get calls from head hunters and within a few hours of putting out some feelers I had calls so I could find something else, but I have learned more at this company than any other so I would like to stick it out if possible. Any suggestions what else I can put in my corner to fight for equitable pay? I have the same title as the guy that left but with added responsibility, I can't help but feel there is some gender bias at work here - ironically my boss complains she is paid less because she is a woman!!! Sorry for the novel! With the exception of bringing info about what other jobs pay, I think you have done what you could. Your raises, while you feel they don't bring you to market value, have been substantial compared to what others receive, probably due to your taking on more responsibility. There may have been reasons for the other guy to get paid more... higher education, more experience, boss's nephew... It doesn't matter. You get raises based on what YOU do and if you have pointed out these facts and still aren't where you feel you should be, maybe it's time to leave. So look at the other jobs. Do they really pay better? Benefits comparable? Career growth possible? Commute tolerable? Weigh them all and compare them to what you have now before making a decision. I agree with Chet. Sounds like you've done just about all you can at this point. If you feel you've made your accomplishments on the job as clear as possible, (you can't compare your performance to anybody else's - it's the value you bring to the job that matters, not your contribution compared to anybody else), then I think it's time to initiate a job search - keeping in mind that it's always easier to find a job when you have one and also that if you quit you'll lose a ton of negotiating power with prospective employers. Then, when another, more attractive job offer comes along - give your two weeks notice and take it. Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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