Raise not as promised

[pvgypsy]

Help! I'm in my first job after college and I got this big promotion...but not the increase. My boss put in for part of my raise after I had been in the position for 3 months and it was initially stamped yes, then turned down. It will now be delayed until late July, six months AFTER I started the position. To top that off he could only get half the raise and to make up the difference I have to work 9 hours a day. The women in the position before me only worked 8 and were paid way more than me. I know I am young (24) but what can I do to make sure this doesn't happen again. I'm not very good at confrontations even if they are nice, yet tense, ones.

I would leave, but the benefits are good and they'll pay for my MBA.

Any thoughts would be nice :-)

Thanks!

[M4A1]

It will now be delayed until late July, six months AFTER I started the position. To top that off he could only get half the raise and to make up the difference I have to work 9 hours a day.

How much is your raise? Is it based on your performance? Or is it fairly automatic?

With the job that I started near the end of last year, I was promised a minuscule raise after 6 months and then every other year. But I didn't just want a minuscule raise, it's a menial job, I wanted to use that job as a spring board to something else. Therefore, whenever I have the opportunity to show to my manager that I have the ability to do more than what's required of me. I'd show him. I make sure that the reports are done in the upmost professonal manner. It's a huge difference from how other employees do theirs.

He realized that I have the desire and potentials to do more. It'll just be a matter of time before I find better opportunities and leave. I thought to myself that there is a good chance that my manager understands this, but he isn't gonna care anyway. So I kept doing what I was doing, working hard at work, sending out resumes when I'm at home. To my surprise, he spoke to another manager about me wanting to take up more responsibility and got me promoted to this new job. Yes it came with a significant increase as well. No more hourly for me. Even though it's still far from where I like to be, but consider how bad the economy is, I can definitely live with it for now.

What I'm trying to say is that, if you are good with what you do, and make sure that you show it to your boss. You can send a message to him that you are too good for this job at the current pay rate. He needs to understand that there is a good chance you'll take your skills some where else if he doesn't give you the fair treatment.

Talk to your manager. After that half-a$$ raise, in a very clam and professional manner. Let him know that you were expecting that raise to help out your financial responsibilities. Student loans, car payments, rent, mortgage, parents' medical, spuse & kids' medical. Whatever. Let your manager know that economy isn't doing so well and you understand, and you will let this one go. But don't let it go without talking to him about it. If you aren't gonna get that raise that you wanted, don't let it slip so easy, talk to your manager.

This is from my perspective. I don't know what type of business that you are in, and what kind of person that you are dealing with. You may have to be more flexible in dealing with your particular situation. But keep in mind, the economy sucks, it's lucky to have any kind of job. Unless you were seriously counting on this raise, I'd say you just talk to your manager and shrug it off.

Hope it helps.

[pvgypsy]

I talked to my boss yesterday, letting him know that I haven't received my raise yet (did I tell you he didn't tell me it was delayed?). HE told me to talk to HR and HR (who is a friend of mine) told me that the reason he, HR, didn't say anything was because my boss said he would take care of me...well, when all this comes to light all my boss can say is "sorry about the delay." :rolleyes: So needless to say that was not the appropriate way to handle this situation. I am beginning to resent the job that eight months ago I couldn't wait to get in. I also talked to him about my not being challanged and now I get to do Powerpoit for another executive, which I do not mind at all. But a comment he said still unnerves me "Well, your the one who wanted to be an executive assistant." I wanted to tell him I took this job because I was promised the money.

Anyway, I am interviewing at other places, more arts related. I'm not happy, even though I'll be making the money soon. We'll see if I actually have the guts to make a job move.

[M4A1]

I hear you pvgypsy. It sounds like your boss is insensible, which is typical among many managers. I know exactly how you feel. I am in somewhat of the same situation myself.

I can write a novel on my bad experience with these people. But that won't help. Let me share with you on what worked for me.

Before I begin. I say that you start actively looking for another job. Stay away from those assistant type of positions.

Now, right down to point: The only constant that you are truly in control of-- is yourself.

Sure, it'll be nice for my bosses to be understanding. Maybe even give me a praise on the good job that I do once awhile, instead of focusing on stuff that I didn't do well. Now, you can put in a lot of effort in trying to change your boss's opinion towards you. This may take a lot of work. Let us assume that your boss may be uncaring because of his unpleasant childhood. "Oh hell noooo. How am I going to change that.." you think to yourself. Well. It can be done. You can start reading books on psychology, and spend a lot of time on changing his perspective towards you. Given a considerable time and patience, you maybe able to affect his thinking process and alter your own behavior just enough for things to work out.

There is also a possibility that it will not work out-- despite all of your efforts.

Things may work out for a little while. He maybe nice to you for 3 weeks, and then, he goes right back to where he was before you put in all of your efforts. If this happens, your time and efforts are wasted. There are plenty of variables that may disrupt your plans. I'm just stating the obvious here. When all the havoc have passed. Only you will remain. Should you be fired or promoted to a different position to a different department in the future. Only you will remain. Your current boss will not be in the picture.

Do not take this to the extreme. I'm not asking you to be selfish. I'm asking you to understand that you can only control yourself. As for me, I like it when people recognize my abilities and ambition. I feel bad when people say bad things about me, or misunderstand me. I tried hard to be a good employee, friend, or son. I do not always get the gratifying results, and it's also very hard to maintain that image.

Move away from thinking about what that other person is thinking of you. When you are in an uneasy situation. Think, "Only I will remain. Only I will remain...." This is how I do it. Switch your attention toward to an achievable task. For example: "Where the hell is that Powerpoint slide that I asked you to make? How many times have I told you that I need it?"

Respond by: "It'll be done in a second." And turn all of your attention to making that slide. He may keep yelling at you the whole time, but he'll go away-- only you'll remain.

[pvgypsy]

Thank you for all your good advice. I have already started to look for other positions, voice teacher and dance instructor. I also found that one of my former bosses is VERY willing to help me move into another position in the company. I will take him up on that offer only after I try these other options. I'm also going to try and start my own voice studio for extra money.

I'm thankful for the advise that "Only I will remain." It helps to think that when all else is done, I am the one I can rely on most. That way I don't get too upset when things don't go right.

Thanks again! I'll update you on the search.
:D

[pvgypsy]

Hello,

I have been on the job search and there are a few good jobs on the horizon. I really need to get out of here soon because I am starting to have thoughts like "why don't I just not go in" and "I want to quit even though I don't have a new job yet." Not good things. But I'm making progress on the getting out issue.

:D

[M4A1]

Good to hear that you are making progress. Keep it up!

But it sounds like that things still have not gotten any easier. If it is really getting to a point that you cannot put up with it much longer, I would check and see if how long you can hold up without a job. And consider working part-time else where to make up for some of your other expenses. The worst thing to do is to just quit without a plan. If you are going to quit, you should have a plan to either work part-time somewhere or focus your energy on job search. Job search itself can be a fulltime effort. You should make a schedule for it. Say Monday through Friday from 8 to 2 you will focus completely on your job search. Treat your job search like a fulltime job.

Meanwhile, keep up that professional attitude at work. Don’t think too much into your situation. Look at it as if you were watching “Titanic.” It’s very sad, unfortunate and all, but once the credits pop up on the screen then it’s time for you to leave. You can’t always have happy endings and you also don’t need to make them happy at your own expense, but whatever it is-- it will end. They may think that they are getting a good deal out of you, having you work 9 hours a day for less money. But you can think of it in the same way as well, your current job can enhance your resume and it also provides some income in the meantime. All of this will end eventually. Remember that you can’t always control the situation, but you can always control how you act in that situation.

Good luck.

[dragonfly]

I'm in a similar position as pvgypsy and what m4a1 says makes so much sense .. I'm 25, a web developper graduated last year and in 2 weeks will be a year since I started working at my current job and of course I'm quite apprehending how the internal review will be!! ... when I started I was told I needed experience ..that i was young and that I had to prove myself first ... well that's what i've been doing .. actually my goal would be to be involved in management and strategy and the thing is I know I'm not totally ready . but what i do now I do really well ..

So now I'll have to wait and see if all that was promised in the beginning like car allowance, raise of salary, commission etc etc would be kept ... I hate discussing as well but I know the same bla bla bla will be said .. the company is a new company .. we have to wait ..etc .etc ..so any advice on how to discuss and convince my director that a raise would encourage me to stay here and be devoted to my work would be so much appreciated ...

[M4A1]

Dragonfly, I’d suggest that you be more careful on how you negotiate with your manager. As a fellow e-commerce worker-- although I’m on the systems support side-- I can tell you that things aren’t good for us. There are thousands of IT workers who have been unemployed for over a year and are still looking, or just are looking to get out of IT. E-commerce jobs are especially scarce to find. Check the IT message board on monster. I don’t want to write a status report here.

I do not know which company that you are working for thus cannot comment on how well the company is doing. But I can tell you that if you are working for a service-oriented company, or B2B, then it’s likely that your company is hurting a bit from the sagging economy and they are probably looking to cut cost through attrition or even more severe measures.

Anyway, I do not mean to discourage you. I just like be more realistic. But never go down without a fight, well in your case, you should really approach your manager with the mildest manner possible. First is to do your homework and find out how your company is doing and what hiring plans they have for the next few fiscal quarters. If you are on a hiring freeze then you have little or no room to negotiate, then, it’s best for you to acknowledge to your manager that the economy is bad and that it’s tough times for everyone. But meanwhile you hope that, just like what you said what you do now you do real well, the company recognize your achievements and will consider make some kind of a reward in the future.

But be sure to say it with confidence! No stuttering or smirking. Practice. Focus only on the words that you are saying and look him right in the eyes to let him get the feel that you are content but are expecting something as well. If you don’t, he will walk all over you next time and the time after.

[dragonfly]

Hello M4A1, thanks for replying ... I agree with what you say ..
let me explain my situation more clearly .. I graduated in Fine Arts with a specialisation in advertising .. then you must be wondering how on earth did I end up in e-design ... well when i started my studies I was in such a different state of mind .. I wanted to be an artist and still wants sometimes .... then I wanted to get into advertising to make money ... but by the end of my 4 years I thought the internet is the future .. so try that .. what i'm trying to point out is that my options are quite vast .. if I'm not succeeding in website development .. I will move .. coz right now I know I'm still testing the fields although I love what I do and if i can move to a more secure position I would make a career out of it .. that's why I'm planning for a postgraduate in web strategy and management !! I want to be flexible enough to be able to move to advertising or any creative media at an important position .. The company is a very new web design and consulting company and right now the load of work depends a lot on me .... plus I have a very good understanding with the consultant ..we work together and it's a good working relationship .. I wouldn't want to trade that!!! The company is just starting off .. and that's another thing I have to ask in the review ..how well is the company doing( or can you tell me how I can find out??)??? there won't be no hiring if possible ... that's one thing I know!

my question is if let's say he tells the economy isn't doing well etc etc ..etc ...I totally understand but then can I ask something like funding for my studies, flexible time, .you know i haven't thought too much about it ... but to make him understand that I'm ready to wait for the company to be better but the cost of living ain't getting any lower!!!! and I'll need to take a loan for my masters .. we bought a second car and half the loan needs to be paid .. plus we shifted to our house ..etc ..etc ..etc .. so I don't want to sound arrogant specially it's my first job and all and I've worked for 1 year only ... but i'm ambitious and I need to know where I'm going!!

ok I think that's a long mail enough ... basically I need to be prepared for any kind of arguments that may rise !!
thanx again ..

[M4A1]

Definitely bring up the tuition assistance issue. As far as a raise, I would first find out how much will make you more comfortable. Yes, the cost of living always goes up, it’s never the other way around. :-) Your boss knows that, but between you and showing a profit in this weak economy, he will choose profit. If he had, or there is a policy, mentioned that he would consider giving a raise to you upon the internal review then definitely be a little more persistent, or insistent, when asking about it. If he hasn’t said about considering you for a raise, or there’s no policy on that, then the best thing for you to do is to try to get him to commit to something. Like getting a promise to consider you for a raise in the next review.

But if he has mentioned about giving you a raise, then bring up examples of fine jobs that you have done and the fact that you do such a fine job because you truly like the company and are very devoted to your work. You should recite his words or that of the company’s, on policy to give someone a raise when certain expectations have been met. Tell him that how much you respect his word or that of the company’s. Tell him about the fine works that you have done and how it warrants a raise. Again it depends on your personality and that of your manager’s. This is a fairly aggressive strategy that I’m suggesting here. I’m sharing this because it truly sounds like you want and deserve this raise. But don’t overdo this, it’s not worth scarring the relationship you have with your company, discrimination can easily occur and you may force yourself out of a job.

Do your homework first before the review. Find out who gets briefed on how well the company is doing. Don’t you guys have a business development team? Those guys should get briefed every week. Developers should get briefed at the end of every fiscal quarter. Maybe it’s different for you. But ask around and be smart about it. The more prepared you are, as in having the right information, the more confident you will be for your review.

[dragonfly]

You're very right .. You must have had some experience to be so objective about the whole issue .. .. the way you think of the company's side and all .. I can see I react like somebody in its first job .. thanx a lot .. will let you know how it's going ... I'm really preparing these days .. 14 days to go!!

I'll keep posting on the board itself ..