You Never Know!
This morning I had my monthly meeting with my boss. We go over what I've been working on, what I'm going to be working on and just chat about life.
After two years at my company and 1.5 years in my current position/department, I'm getting antsy... for more money.
I started at a base salary of $33K and when I got my promotion, I didn't even get a big enough raise to hit the $35K mark (I'm technically $200 below that, and I'm not including annual bonuses)... I know I'm worth way more than that, but unfortunately my company is also known to be stingy when employees just start out. And I was okay with the low salary at first, because I work for an awesome company (no layoffs! great benefits!) but after two years I feel like I deserve more.
Also, we're on salary freezes. But you know what? I wanted it to be known that I feel underpaid.
So, I did it. I asked my boss for a salary increase... despite the fact that we're on salary freezes. And despite the fact that I was uber-nervous as I've never asked for a raise before! But, if you don't ask... you'll never know! Right? :)
And you know what? She said I brought up a very valid point, but she did reiterate that we are on salary freezes and my low pay is not due to my lack of skills, competence and performance as well as my incredible learning curve. Which I already knew, but it's always great to hear it! ;) So, I basically got a "maybe" as an answer. She said she would look into it, that it is unlikely but that I make a good point by bringing it up. Sounds like she'll be talking to some higher-ups in the company, which I don't think will do much, but it's a starting point and now I've put it out in the universe that I'd like more money. Either way, I'll be hearing something about it in a month when I have my next meeting with her.
MAYBE. It's not a no, and it's not a yes. It's something!
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9 comments:
Maybe is definitely better than no! My current job which I am officially done with this week has had us on a job freeze for almost 2 years now. I think pay raises keep people motivated and eager to learn (We actually had to learn A LOT about this in my board cert classes), so even though I'll be making a lot less once I move, I am looking forward to the opportunity to make more over time based on my performance!
You don't ever know! I mean, done right, it's the proper push a boss might need to work on something like that for you. I had to push a promotion through for a staffer and it took me several weeks and that was without real obstacles. With an actual salary freeze, she'd definitely not want to deal with fighting that battle without at least a little nudge, I don't think.
Congrats!!!! SO brave of you. And interesting to see that not everyone in the financial sector is starting out with a 6-figure income.
That's AWESOME of you. If anything, at least now your boss knows how you feel, and so if salaries unfreeze... You're a rockstar!!
I intended to ask my boss for a raise after I returned from holiday in August, but I kept chickening out. And at the beginning of July I got a government raise and now I,ve decided not to ask. I know I,m not paid my worth and I know I should still go and ask, but I hate the cap in hand feeling I would get. I feel he should recognise my worth and pay me accordingly, but I think hell might freeze over first.
Keep us posted. It's been two years now with salary freezes here, and I've taken on a lot more responsibility, saved the company a lot of money, and gotten great feedback, so I'm feeling you on the 'antsy' part, and I'd love to know how it plays out.
Good call on trying anyway. Honestly I think that even if they don't give it to you, you should hold them to the understanding that once there's no more salary freezes, you need a relatively big bump up! I have asked for a raise 3 times and it's worked out twice... the time it didn't work out, I left the job within a month after that. Sometimes you have to be serious about not compromising!
You go girl! Way to be proactive. I hope it works out for you.
Thank you all SO much for your kind comments! :)
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