Hi Everyone,

I need advice but also want to tell you what I plan to do with asking for my raise to see if it seems appropriate? I work in a very small MD Office,  this May marks 2 years at this job. I was hired with no benefits but with a decent starting hourly rate in lieu of it & I don't need benefits. Upon hire, I knew there wasn't enough hours but my boss was looking for a new office location with another doctor, therefore I could obtain more hours (possibly within the office with the other doc) and I would get a raise. Now, This office move didn't happen & won't be either. I work only 28 hours with him but FYI- I'm fully capable of working more if he had more office hours or work on updating patient charts on my off day. Also, my boss is into lots of other things (business things)on the side which he offered me a job with him too, and this other opportunity hasn't taken shape either.

I sat down with my Boss back in December, and explained that it was becoming difficult with my lack of hours and money I was making. At this time, his "other" business was to start in Jan. 07, where I would make more $$ in that business. It never materialized & now it seems our "talk" has been forgotten!

I have prepared a letter to him, pointing these things out to him. I wrote I'd like to discuss it after he has read it. I will give it to him at the beginning of my shift so he will know we need to talk. In the letter,  I have told him I love working with him but am in a tough financial situation and can't hold on any longer. I told him I need a raise and that if he can't do it/or isn't willing to, I will need to seek another position elsewhere & will properly train a replacement. I told him I have worked through ALL options that would help me stay with him, but its not possible with a child at home/nor do companies want me on such a part time basis (after my hours with him). At the end of the letter, I outlined what I make, and told him I need to "bring home" or "net" at least $150.00 (or more) weekly (I need to clear that). I did not wish to request some one dollar or a few dollar amount pay increase hourly but rather I'd prefer to give him my bottom line of what I need to be financially secure.

Is it not proper for me to give him a total figure instead of asking for a few bucks more? Can I ask for an overall "salary" per week instead of asking for an hourly pay increase? Also, would it be wrong for me to say "How about the additional $$ under the table on top of my regular paycheck?"

I know I am worth every penny. I go above & beyond & extremely valuable to the office. I take on MANY extra tasks without question (or more money). He has gone through many "dips" prior to my hire. I just don't want to sound selfish but I think after 2 years and all I do for him, I am in NEED of a big raise, I'm a single Mom, and my son just got braces  (hence a new payment), and I am NOT surviving on my paycheck now?

Thank you for reading my story - PLEASE Help Me before I do this on Monday!!

SweetXOXO31