My job (1 Viewer)

[TheIronSheik]

My boss and my bosses boss had been telling me for the past 6 months that a promotion and pretty good pay bump was coming my way the end of this year or the beginning of next. This was good because I had mentioned to them a couple times that they were getting me for a steal. I like this company, and the people who I work with. But it really is bottom of the barrel when it comes to pay.

I told them I didn't expect to get paid the same as I did when I worked for Big Oil, but I just wanted a nice bump up and some more responsibility. They said they totally understood that and that they realized they were getting a deal on my salary considering my experience and knowledge.

So today I asked my boss if the bump up was still on schedule, as I'm hoping to do things in the next year or two (like buy a house and probably get married.) He said that raises will happen in March like they always do. So I replied back, "OK. But is it the normal raise everyone gets, or the considerable bump up like we had talked about?" He said he wasn't sure they'd be able to do that considering the "climate" that the company is in right now.

This kind of pisses me off for a couple reasons. Besides the obvious, for the past 2 months, we get 2 emails a week talking about how great our company is doing and how we are expanding. Usually the emails say things like, "We have never been in a better position than we are now!' Yet, ask for a raise and I'm told the climate isn't that good?

I replied back to my boss and said, "I just really need to start making better money, like what we had discussed earlier this year. I'm barely getting by now. Making two or three times less what I had in the past. I really like working here. But eventually it becomes a question of can I afford to keep working here?"

He replied back saying he understood and he would try to get some more information for me as soon as possible.

I can't even explain how much my blood is boiling right now. I guess come March, I might have to start looking for a new job, which sucks. It just pisses me off that they weren't even going to tell me their plans had changed.

 

[kutta]

You are one guy that I envision looking exactly like your avatar. So every time you post about work, I imagine your avatar having these discussions with your boss.

Good luck!

 

[Arizona Ron]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

 

[StrikeS2k]

Why wait til March?

 

[TheIronSheik]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

 

[TheIronSheik]

You are one guy that I envision looking exactly like your avatar. So every time you post about work, I imagine your avatar having these discussions with your boss.

Good luck!

That is me.

 

[jon_mx]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

They already revealed their hand. Unless he comes back soon with some definitive response, the time to start looking is now.

 

[humpback]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

It seems obvious that they aren't going to give you a big raise just because they're feeling generous, and looking now gives you leverage (assuming you find something that pays a lot more).

 

[StrikeS2k]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

Waiting makes sense given the above. No reason to get too mad about it though. At the end of the day it's just business. But if you feel they're not compensating you properly come March then find another job.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Start hiding notepads

 

[tjnc09]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

 

[NutterButter]

Best case would be have a job lined up for February. You'll get your vacation in as well as bonus and then you give your current gig the opportunity to meet your needs or risk losing you. If they're not willing to give you the pay you feel you deserve, you seamlessly transition into the new gig.

 

[Arizona Ron]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

 

[cstu]

I guess come March, I might have to start looking for a new job, which sucks. It just pisses me off that they weren't even going to tell me their plans had changed.

Look for another job now.

 

[cstu]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

You can start looking now and quit in January if you find something.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Agree with this... If you like the company, you can also leverage the offer. You'll find out how serious they are, or you'll walk.

 

[DocHolliday]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

So you work on your resume now and begin looking for a job at the beginning of January. You leave when you find a better job. You are not going to get a generous raise in March.

 

[cstu]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Agree with this... If you like the company, you can also leverage the offer. You'll find out how serious they are, or you'll walk.

Do you really want to stay at a company that will only pay you want you're worth because you already found another job?

 

[TheIronSheik]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

When I lived in Texas, I was working for Big Oil. You'd be surprised what these companies will pay. I had over 13 years of Oil & Gas experience and was very good at my job. But when the job market crashed, I moved back east to my old stomping ground. Sadly, there are no oil jobs in SE PA like there are in Texas. So that was one reason. The next thing I found out was that companies up here were mainly banking or pharmaceutical. And they all wanted prior experience. It didn't matter that I was exactly what they wanted, someone with Project Management skills, Training skills, Management skills and technical writing skills. Because I hadn't worked for a bank or drug company before, they didn't want to hire me.

So I found my current job and figured I'd work here and gain experience before moving on. Over time, I started to enjoy the people I worked with. And the company was a good company. Sure the pay was no where near what I used to make, but I had hoped that over time, that could change. And even if it didn't, at least I was still getting the experience.

So that's the reason for the pay decrease.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

If you start looking in mid-October, you can accept by mid December... For most I think the job hunting process is 6-8 weeks total anyways... With a start date of mid Jan, you can take your vacation and collect your bonus.

 

[NutterButter]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Agree with this... If you like the company, you can also leverage the offer. You'll find out how serious they are, or you'll walk.

Do you really want to stay at a company that only paid you want you're worth because you already found another job?

I wouldn't care. If I liked my job, as long as I was getting paid what I wanted, I don't care how they reached that decision. If you're going to a new job, there's a whole bunch of unknowns. You have no idea what you can get away with nor have you earn the credit to be able to get away with things.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Agree with this... If you like the company, you can also leverage the offer. You'll find out how serious they are, or you'll walk.

Do you really want to stay at a company that only paid you want you're worth because you already found another job?

I usually go with either the highest bidder or the most potential (situation depending). In my field that would be stock options (pre-IPO).

I understand exactly what you are saying, but I try to leave emotions out as we work for only one reason regardless of the factors. If the difference is misery versus happiness for 5-10% than I would take the lower paying job, otherwise money or potential wins.

 

[tjnc09]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

When I lived in Texas, I was working for Big Oil. You'd be surprised what these companies will pay. I had over 13 years of Oil & Gas experience and was very good at my job. But when the job market crashed, I moved back east to my old stomping ground. Sadly, there are no oil jobs in SE PA like there are in Texas. So that was one reason. The next thing I found out was that companies up here were mainly banking or pharmaceutical. And they all wanted prior experience. It didn't matter that I was exactly what they wanted, someone with Project Management skills, Training skills, Management skills and technical writing skills. Because I hadn't worked for a bank or drug company before, they didn't want to hire me.

So I found my current job and figured I'd work here and gain experience before moving on. Over time, I started to enjoy the people I worked with. And the company was a good company. Sure the pay was no where near what I used to make, but I had hoped that over time, that could change. And even if it didn't, at least I was still getting the experience.

So that's the reason for the pay decrease.

If it's a completely different industry, your old pay there has zero to do with your current situation. Do you think a NFL player who was cut after making $400,000 a year uses that as leverage when he finds a job in the fast food industry?

No offense, but if I were your manager, I would be bothered that you feel entitled to a salary that isn't appropriate for your current level in your current job. I'd figure your resume has been updated for some time and would be anticipating your departure in the very near future.

 

[jon_mx]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

There is only so long you can be a pro-wrestler.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

If you start looking in mid-October, you can accept by mid December... For most I think the job hunting process is 6-8 weeks total anyways... With a start date of mid Jan, you can take your vacation and collect your bonus.

I get what everyone is saying. But I'm not that worried about getting out as close to January 1st as possible. Am I pissed right now? Sure. I just got the news. But it's still a job. And I have so much more stress with the holidays coming up that I don't really want to add job hunting to it. Come the new year, I'll begin looking. There is still a possibility the promotion happens here. Other companies I've worked at that said that, I knew it was BS. But here, it's a little different. My boss and my bosses boss really like me. So I have a little bit of hope that they'll do the right thing.

Either way, I'll start looking for a new job come 2015.

 

[tjnc09]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

If you apply for another job, a reasonable company will offer a signing bonus in place of your expected bonus. If they don't, that's an easy sign that they aren't a place I would want to work for

 

[TheIronSheik]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

When I lived in Texas, I was working for Big Oil. You'd be surprised what these companies will pay. I had over 13 years of Oil & Gas experience and was very good at my job. But when the job market crashed, I moved back east to my old stomping ground. Sadly, there are no oil jobs in SE PA like there are in Texas. So that was one reason. The next thing I found out was that companies up here were mainly banking or pharmaceutical. And they all wanted prior experience. It didn't matter that I was exactly what they wanted, someone with Project Management skills, Training skills, Management skills and technical writing skills. Because I hadn't worked for a bank or drug company before, they didn't want to hire me.

So I found my current job and figured I'd work here and gain experience before moving on. Over time, I started to enjoy the people I worked with. And the company was a good company. Sure the pay was no where near what I used to make, but I had hoped that over time, that could change. And even if it didn't, at least I was still getting the experience.

So that's the reason for the pay decrease.

If it's a completely different industry, your old pay there has zero to do with your current situation. Do you think a NFL player who was cut after making $400,000 a year uses that as leverage when he finds a job in the fast food industry?

No offense, but if I were your manager, I would be bothered that you feel entitled to a salary that isn't appropriate for your current level in your current job. I'd figure your resume has been updated for some time and would be anticipating your departure in the very near future.

I'm not asking for what I used to make. I've made that clear to them. And even though I work in a different job industry, I'm still doing the same exact work. I'm a Business Analyst who uses Excel and Word. Shouldn't matter what the industry is.

I've told them what I'm expecting, and I still think the number I'm asking for is below market value. I'm not trying to be greedy.

 

[Fat Nick]

Probably for the better....they say you're supposed to spend 3 months salary on an engagement ring. Buy that ring now, get the raise later. If you got the raise today, you'd have to get a bigger rock.

 

[guru_007]

If it were me, I would not start looking for a job in March, that's ludicrous. That's 7 months away still. I'd be looking now.

The precedent has already been set in that your boss, and bosses boss told you they would be revaluating you for promotion/significant pay increase end of year or beginning of next year. That was 6 months ago.....by my rough calculations that would have been in March? Was that what they told you at your last review?

Now they are telling you, well, we're not so sure what we promised you is going to happen now.

Why wait around for another 7 months?

Truth be told, promotions and significant pay increases can be handled between the times of the yearly evaluations for an employee they intend on keeping happy. They assuaged you with promises of future gains, and now you're getting the reality of it all.

I don't know in your company what the standard raise is, but let's say it's a 1-3% basis. And they give you 4 or 5% raise, are you going to be pleased as punch? And they can say that they gave you a significant raise - hell nearly 2x as much as even their higher performers received.

The only way to get a significant increase in pay or better position is more often than not by jumping ship. Or at the very least, having that offer in hand to jump ship and have your current company counter.

I don't know what the yearly bonus your expecting is, but you can surely use this in bargaining for a new perspective employer should you go out interview and get an offer.

It's very easy to say, "Well, new company, I am definitely interested in joining your company and your offer is competitive, however, I would be missing out on a significant performance bonus should I leave before the new year.....blah blah blah" And just factor that in if/when you get an offer and see what you can do. The worst they can do is say no, that's not in our budget for this position or something like that. Often times companies factor in signing bonus or relocation bonuses when hiring perspective employees, you would not be the first person to ask for it.

g'luck The Iron Sheik

 

[tjnc09]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

When I lived in Texas, I was working for Big Oil. You'd be surprised what these companies will pay. I had over 13 years of Oil & Gas experience and was very good at my job. But when the job market crashed, I moved back east to my old stomping ground. Sadly, there are no oil jobs in SE PA like there are in Texas. So that was one reason. The next thing I found out was that companies up here were mainly banking or pharmaceutical. And they all wanted prior experience. It didn't matter that I was exactly what they wanted, someone with Project Management skills, Training skills, Management skills and technical writing skills. Because I hadn't worked for a bank or drug company before, they didn't want to hire me.

So I found my current job and figured I'd work here and gain experience before moving on. Over time, I started to enjoy the people I worked with. And the company was a good company. Sure the pay was no where near what I used to make, but I had hoped that over time, that could change. And even if it didn't, at least I was still getting the experience.

So that's the reason for the pay decrease.

If it's a completely different industry, your old pay there has zero to do with your current situation. Do you think a NFL player who was cut after making $400,000 a year uses that as leverage when he finds a job in the fast food industry?

No offense, but if I were your manager, I would be bothered that you feel entitled to a salary that isn't appropriate for your current level in your current job. I'd figure your resume has been updated for some time and would be anticipating your departure in the very near future.

I'm not asking for what I used to make. I've made that clear to them. And even though I work in a different job industry, I'm still doing the same exact work. I'm a Business Analyst who uses Excel and Word. Shouldn't matter what the industry is.

I've told them what I'm expecting, and I still think the number I'm asking for is below market value. I'm not trying to be greedy.

Your industry does matter. Even companies within the same industry will have a large variation in compensation policies.

Market value is irrelevant in your situation. You already accepted a job at the salary they offered so they really have no incentive to give you a large increase. If you are unhappy with your compensation package, you need to start looking for a different job.

It's always important to think where the other side stands. Are your skills replaceable? If they are, they have little to no incentive to give you a large increase unless you already have accepted another position somewhere else.

 

[kentric]

You say you have had a talk with your boss and boss's boss. How detailed were these discussions? You may want to have another sit down and explain you situation. You shouldn't present it as you need the money, rather, you be highly detailed on why you believe you are worth addition money/responsibility. For instance, instead of saying, "you know that the clients love me", say, "I have the largest client base of x clients of which x% have given me letter of commendation." or, "I have the largest client base of x clients and sales have increased $xx (x%) for my clients - well above the average x% of the remaining staff." Although your boss and boss's boss may know you and want to give you the raise/promotion, it is important for you to give them the ammunition required to support that raise/promotion.

Based on your last conversation with your boss (and the support of the boss's boss in a prior discussion) it isn't unlikely that they have tried to get you a raise and the higher ups said no. By providing details, you can assist them on pushing back with cold, hard facts supporting the benefit to the company in keeping you happy and on board.

 

[Patriotsfatboy1]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

There is only so long you can be a pro-wrestler.

I thought he was a fluffer

 

[Joe T]

Update: Corporate America Sucks

 

[Slapdash]

Maybe they did a deep dive into your internet usage and decided you do too much posting to be paid more?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I'm not asking for what I used to make. I've made that clear to them. And even though I work in a different job industry, I'm still doing the same exact work. I'm a Business Analyst who uses Excel and Word. Shouldn't matter what the industry is.

Interesting, me too. I am in a very niche company, but I agree with this sentiment. I would not mind moving, but I also feel constrained by these industry issues when I go looking around.

 

[3C's]

I think you should open a small engine repair business.

 

[StrikeS2k]

Update: Corporate America Sucks

My two best jobs, including my current one, have been with large corporate America.

 

[jon_mx]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

There is only so long you can be a pro-wrestler.

I thought he was a fluffer

That's just his hobby.

 

[kardplayer]

Why wait until March?

I'd start looking for a job now if they're not going to make good on their word.

And if it's a "wait and see", it's usually a no.

Well, bonuses come out in December, so I'm not leaving 2 months before bonuses come out. And I'm taking a two week vacation over Christmas, so I'd prefer to have that paid for. That puts me into January. I figure why not just wait two months before leaving? I mean, I guess I could start looking in January, but I'd prefer to stay here. I've put a lot of time in here. I guess I'll just have to see how I feel come the new year.

I know right now I feel pretty ####### pissed off. But I'm sure that's a knee jerk reaction.

If you start looking in mid-October, you can accept by mid December... For most I think the job hunting process is 6-8 weeks total anyways... With a start date of mid Jan, you can take your vacation and collect your bonus.

I get what everyone is saying. But I'm not that worried about getting out as close to January 1st as possible. Am I pissed right now? Sure. I just got the news. But it's still a job. And I have so much more stress with the holidays coming up that I don't really want to add job hunting to it. Come the new year, I'll begin looking. There is still a possibility the promotion happens here. Other companies I've worked at that said that, I knew it was BS. But here, it's a little different. My boss and my bosses boss really like me. So I have a little bit of hope that they'll do the right thing.

Either way, I'll start looking for a new job come 2015.

6-8 weeks is low if you are tenured. After 20 years working, it took me 5 months to find an appropriate job - and I ran into a lot of "we need someone exactly like you, but who comes from the industry"...

I'd suggest starting now with networking at companies you think might be interesting, that way when they have jobs open in January/Feb/March then they already have you in mind. More tenured jobs open in the first quarter of the year due to a combination of people getting their bonuses and leaving, and strategies being set for the year and new teams getting created...

 

[TheIronSheik]

Update: Corporate America Sucks

My two best jobs, including my current one, have been with large corporate America.

I worked for HUGE companies and thought, "I hate this. Too many rules, too much red tape. I want to work for a small company." So I got a job at a small company and it sucked, too. Not enough structure and trying to get things done through other people could be impossible. I thought, "Damn. This sucks. I wish there were some rules and some guidelines."

My current company is the Goldilocks company. It is not a mom and pop company. But it is not a huge corporation like Chevron or Nabors. It's perfect because it has the rules of a large company, but I know all of the higher ups. It has the feel of the mom and pop, but things get done because there are rules and guidelines.

My boss and my boss's boss are actually really good guys. I know they like me. And they've told me in the past that they want to make sure I'm compensated because they are worried I'd leave to go somewhere else. At any other job, I'd think it was BS. But not here. If I'm not getting a promotion and raise, it's not because they aren't trying. Or going to bat for me.

There has been some restructuring here. We were bought by a larger company, so people have been being let go. But only because they have multiple people doing the same job. We are a company that is growing worldwide.

And my boss's boss's boss is the CIO. And I know him pretty well, too. And he knows what I bring to the company. I really think the push back would be coming from the new management. But if my boss is being honest with me (and again, he might very well be. I have no reason to doubt him...yet.) then maybe I do need to just wait until things have settled down and everything gets set up the way they want it.

The thing that pisses me off the most is that they didn't come to me and tell me. Even if they are still working to get that promotion for me, I am close enough to those two that I would expect them to come to me and say, "Hey. I know we talked about it happening around the beginning of 2015, but we may have to push that back a little until things get settled." I really don't think I would have been upset if they went this route.

Does that make sense? Or no?

 

[dickey moe]

Update: Corporate America Sucks

My two best jobs, including my current one, have been with large corporate America.

I worked for HUGE companies and thought, "I hate this. Too many rules, too much red tape. I want to work for a small company." So I got a job at a small company and it sucked, too. Not enough structure and trying to get things done through other people could be impossible. I thought, "Damn. This sucks. I wish there were some rules and some guidelines."My current company is the Goldilocks company. It is not a mom and pop company. But it is not a huge corporation like Chevron or Nabors. It's perfect because it has the rules of a large company, but I know all of the higher ups. It has the feel of the mom and pop, but things get done because there are rules and guidelines.

My boss and my boss's boss are actually really good guys. I know they like me. And they've told me in the past that they want to make sure I'm compensated because they are worried I'd leave to go somewhere else. At any other job, I'd think it was BS. But not here. If I'm not getting a promotion and raise, it's not because they aren't trying. Or going to bat for me.

There has been some restructuring here. We were bought by a larger company, so people have been being let go. But only because they have multiple people doing the same job. We are a company that is growing worldwide.

And my boss's boss's boss is the CIO. And I know him pretty well, too. And he knows what I bring to the company. I really think the push back would be coming from the new management. But if my boss is being honest with me (and again, he might very well be. I have no reason to doubt him...yet.) then maybe I do need to just wait until things have settled down and everything gets set up the way they want it.

The thing that pisses me off the most is that they didn't come to me and tell me. Even if they are still working to get that promotion for me, I am close enough to those two that I would expect them to come to me and say, "Hey. I know we talked about it happening around the beginning of 2015, but we may have to push that back a little until things get settled." I really don't think I would have been upset if they went this route.

Does that make sense? Or no?

Maybe. The more likely scenario is that your immediate supervisor buds aren't getting support from the top and they're giving you the runaround.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Update: Corporate America Sucks

My two best jobs, including my current one, have been with large corporate America.

I worked for HUGE companies and thought, "I hate this. Too many rules, too much red tape. I want to work for a small company." So I got a job at a small company and it sucked, too. Not enough structure and trying to get things done through other people could be impossible. I thought, "Damn. This sucks. I wish there were some rules and some guidelines."My current company is the Goldilocks company. It is not a mom and pop company. But it is not a huge corporation like Chevron or Nabors. It's perfect because it has the rules of a large company, but I know all of the higher ups. It has the feel of the mom and pop, but things get done because there are rules and guidelines.

My boss and my boss's boss are actually really good guys. I know they like me. And they've told me in the past that they want to make sure I'm compensated because they are worried I'd leave to go somewhere else. At any other job, I'd think it was BS. But not here. If I'm not getting a promotion and raise, it's not because they aren't trying. Or going to bat for me.

There has been some restructuring here. We were bought by a larger company, so people have been being let go. But only because they have multiple people doing the same job. We are a company that is growing worldwide.

And my boss's boss's boss is the CIO. And I know him pretty well, too. And he knows what I bring to the company. I really think the push back would be coming from the new management. But if my boss is being honest with me (and again, he might very well be. I have no reason to doubt him...yet.) then maybe I do need to just wait until things have settled down and everything gets set up the way they want it.

The thing that pisses me off the most is that they didn't come to me and tell me. Even if they are still working to get that promotion for me, I am close enough to those two that I would expect them to come to me and say, "Hey. I know we talked about it happening around the beginning of 2015, but we may have to push that back a little until things get settled." I really don't think I would have been upset if they went this route.

Does that make sense? Or no?

Maybe. The more likely scenario is that your immediate supervisor buds aren't getting support from the top and they're giving you the runaround.

Could be. But I don't see that. These guys aren't your typical corporate bosses. Hard to explain, but when these guys talk to you about stuff like this, you never get the feeling they're blowing smoke up your behind. They seem genuine. And if they are that good at lying, these guys should be working for better companies. Like Chevron or Nabors.

 

[urbanhack]

How do you guys get paid for a full time job and then spend all of your time here?

 

[NutterButter]

How do you guys get paid for a full time job and then spend all of your time here?

Piss poor management

 

[TheIronSheik]

How do you guys get paid for a full time job and then spend all of your time here?

I'm good at what I do. So I can get my work done very quick. This is another reason I want them to give me a promotion. I don't want to be on this site. I want to have enough work to do that I'm too busy to be screwing around.

 

[T Bell]

My boss and my bosses boss had been telling me for the past 6 months that a promotion and pretty good pay bump was coming my way the end of this year or the beginning of next. This was good because I had mentioned to them a couple times that they were getting me for a steal. I like this company, and the people who I work with. But it really is bottom of the barrel when it comes to pay.

I told them I didn't expect to get paid the same as I did when I worked for Big Oil, but I just wanted a nice bump up and some more responsibility. They said they totally understood that and that they realized they were getting a deal on my salary considering my experience and knowledge.

So today I asked my boss if the bump up was still on schedule, as I'm hoping to do things in the next year or two (like buy a house and probably get married.) He said that raises will happen in March like they always do. So I replied back, "OK. But is it the normal raise everyone gets, or the considerable bump up like we had talked about?" He said he wasn't sure they'd be able to do that considering the "climate" that the company is in right now.

This kind of pisses me off for a couple reasons. Besides the obvious, for the past 2 months, we get 2 emails a week talking about how great our company is doing and how we are expanding. Usually the emails say things like, "We have never been in a better position than we are now!' Yet, ask for a raise and I'm told the climate isn't that good?

I replied back to my boss and said, "I just really need to start making better money, like what we had discussed earlier this year. I'm barely getting by now. Making two or three times less what I had in the past. I really like working here. But eventually it becomes a question of can I afford to keep working here?"

He replied back saying he understood and he would try to get some more information for me as soon as possible.

I can't even explain how much my blood is boiling right now. I guess come March, I might have to start looking for a new job, which sucks. It just pisses me off that they weren't even going to tell me their plans had changed.

No, incorrect.

You get your resume ready and out there now, and by March you'll have some alteratives that you can either take or you can use to leverage a better deal with your present company. End of.

You're the guy who's got the leverage because you're the one with talent who they want. If you stay passive and wait until March you'll only have prolonged the disappointement because I guarantee you the following will happen:

1) you'll get a raise (possibly even a raise that's greater than everyone else's "scale"); and

2) it still won't be what you were wanting/expecting/promised.

Don't make a show of it, but go and look for something better.

 

[popeye]

You should ride along with MC Gas Money.

 

[NutterButter]

How do you guys get paid for a full time job and then spend all of your time here?

I'm good at what I do. So I can get my work done very quick. This is another reason I want them to give me a promotion. I don't want to be on this site. I want to have enough work to do that I'm too busy to be screwing around.

Pretty much same here. I don't want too much work where I'm going to be stressed, but I'd rather have more than now where I fix a few things in an hour and then spend the rest of the day either goofing around or learning about other technologies.

 

[James Daulton]

See what happens when you don't open doors for waiting corporate ladies?

 

[James Daulton]

Why are you working there if you are making two or three times less than what you made in the past?

When I lived in Texas, I was working for Big Oil. You'd be surprised what these companies will pay. I had over 13 years of Oil & Gas experience and was very good at my job. But when the job market crashed, I moved back east to my old stomping ground. Sadly, there are no oil jobs in SE PA like there are in Texas. So that was one reason. The next thing I found out was that companies up here were mainly banking or pharmaceutical. And they all wanted prior experience. It didn't matter that I was exactly what they wanted, someone with Project Management skills, Training skills, Management skills and technical writing skills. Because I hadn't worked for a bank or drug company before, they didn't want to hire me.

So I found my current job and figured I'd work here and gain experience before moving on. Over time, I started to enjoy the people I worked with. And the company was a good company. Sure the pay was no where near what I used to make, but I had hoped that over time, that could change. And even if it didn't, at least I was still getting the experience.

So that's the reason for the pay decrease.

If it's a completely different industry, your old pay there has zero to do with your current situation. Do you think a NFL player who was cut after making $400,000 a year uses that as leverage when he finds a job in the fast food industry?

No offense, but if I were your manager, I would be bothered that you feel entitled to a salary that isn't appropriate for your current level in your current job. I'd figure your resume has been updated for some time and would be anticipating your departure in the very near future.

I'm not asking for what I used to make. I've made that clear to them. And even though I work in a different job industry, I'm still doing the same exact work. I'm a Business Analyst who uses Excel and Word. Shouldn't matter what the industry is.

I've told them what I'm expecting, and I still think the number I'm asking for is below market value. I'm not trying to be greedy.

I'm really good with excel, access, and word! Should I head down to Texas pronto?