What would you do? Job / HR?

[Pyrojodge]

Hi all...

As some may know I changed jobs two years ago. I have worked myself through 4 different positions in that time with this company. The last position I accepted was based on my degree / course work. When I took the job my pay scale didn't change other than going from hourly (paid weekly) to salary (paid once a month). I was told that I would be held at my current rate of pay until I finished my degree. Well I finished and graduated with honors. I turned in the proper paper work and I received my letter for my pay increase today. We'll let's say that the increase won't cover my monthly student loan payments for the time I had to finance the first 3.5 years I was enrolled. I know what the average wage is for my field and I am not close to that. How would you handle this situation. I know that I am not really thinking clearly on this because all I can think about is the past 5 years of my life working full time and going to school at at night and for what? I have nothing to show for it. I just need some sound advice from the people I know are the best out there. The problem I have is I really really enjoy what I am doing and the people. When you can't pay my bills and put something away it's a hard pill to swallow. Thanks for any advice... :huh:

 

[Pyrojodge]

I do realize I should be thankful for a job in this day and age but come on. ..

 

[Summer Fun II]

Jason, Congrats on graduating. :smt038

From a old fart asking...

Why do they pay you once a month ??. Isn't that illegal ??.

I've NEVER heard of that being done like that. :smt017.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Did your company help you pay for your school?

If not I would start looking for a new place of employment. If you think you are not being paid at the market rate. You need to go test the market.

 

[IanBat]

Always good to sit for a while, and settle the emotions, don't act while your toomfired up.

Do your homework, sounds like you already have, analyse what is available elsewhere, note the rates, conditions, location etc. Also in regards to that what are the prospects of you being successful in applying elsewhere ( I make this comment, in that I do not know your employment market over there ), likewise just as important, if they have to replace you, how long will that take them, how much will it cost, in advertising, interviewing, training and adapting a new Pearson to the culture of the company.

When you have that information, evaluate yourself, what do you really want to do, where do you want to be in 12 months and 5 years. Does this company still fit that path.

If so, then make an appointment to talk with HR or whoever it is in the organisation you need to address this.

The conversation needs to be about and stay on
Your dedication and loyalty to the company
Your appreciation for their support to help you get your degree
Your future hopes to help the company succeed
The going rate in the marketplace for your skills
The opportunities that exist out there
THE COST AND TIME TO REPLACE YOU

Keep the bitterness out of the conversation that you are feeling now, and stay focused on what you want to achieve, monotone voice, slow your speech down a little, think carefully, take a breath or pause(silence can be your best tool) to keep the conversation on track.

Then if you don't get them to agree with your requests, then you hp have already done all the homework to make a move.

Just try not to make that evident in the meeting, you want to be applying for other jobs whilst employed, not unemployed.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Dani-Lu]

Jason,

1.To counter your emotional statement "you have nothing to show for it". You have a degree and 5 years of experience and professional successes to put on your resume. In short, you have a lot to show for it and you should feel proud of your dedication and hard work!

2. You need to understand what your market value is, by searching and interviewing for a job. Assuming you get an offer, you should then have a conversation with your manager about your career aspiration and financial requirements. No need to mention you have an offer from another company, but this will become your leverage to either stay or go, if your boss or a higher authority does not step up to what your true market value is, besides the value you bring to him/her, since they would have to hire and train someone to come up to your level of performance.

Just remember, no emotion, it is business, not personal!

Good luck selling your most valuable product - yourself!

Jeff

 

[fwebster]

I think Jeff is exactly right here. I would like to add that you shouldn't let emotion guide you here. Slow down and take your time.

I spent 25 years in consulting and saw the "internal workings" of a lot of different companies. Almost every company endorses continuing education, from offering some minimum time off for exams etc. all the way up to tuition reimbursement, but I never saw a company meet fair market value for an employee who earned a degree while employed. Over time, you might strong arm your way up the ladder into a higher paid position, but the employer always remembers you as a "green newbie" or a junior level hourly paid worker. Unfortunately, you are going to have to find your fair market value by finding another employer. You have a job so there isn't an emergency. Take your time, get appropriate advice in buying a resume, polish your interview skills, and when you are ready, give notice and move on.

You can expect an exit interview from your present employer and you can also expect them to try to keep you. You have to make that decision, but it seems to me that your present employer has already had their opportunity to treat you fairly……………..

Good luck…………….and congratulations on the degree.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Jason,

1.To counter your emotional statement "you have nothing to show for it". You have a degree and 5 years of experience and professional successes to put on your resume. In short, you have a lot to show for it and you should feel proud of your dedication and hard work!

2. You need to understand what your market value is, by searching and interviewing for a job. Assuming you get an offer, you should then have a conversation with your manager about your career aspiration and financial requirements. No need to mention you have an offer from another company, but this will become your leverage to either stay or go, if your boss or a higher authority does not step up to what your true market value is, besides the value you bring to him/her, since they would have to hire and train someone to come up to your level of performance.

Just remember, no emotion, it is business, not personal!

Good luck selling your most valuable product - yourself!

Jeff

I think Jeff is exactly right here. I would like to add that you shouldn't let emotion guide you here. Slow down and take your time.

I spent 25 years in consulting and saw the "internal workings" of a lot of different companies. Almost every company endorses continuing education, from offering some minimum time off for exams etc. all the way up to tuition reimbursement, but I never saw a company meet fair market value for an employee who earned a degree while employed. Over time, you might strong arm your way up the ladder into a higher paid position, but the employer always remembers you as a "green newbie" or a junior level hourly paid worker. Unfortunately, you are going to have to find your fair market value by finding another employer. You have a job so there isn't an emergency. Take your time, get appropriate advice in buying a resume, polish your interview skills, and when you are ready, give notice and move on.

You can expect an exit interview from your present employer and you can also expect them to try to keep you. You have to make that decision, but it seems to me that your present employer has already had their opportunity to treat you fairly……………..

Good luck…………….and congratulations on the degree.

Jason,

Both Jeff and Frank are spot on with the advice. I am an executive consultant for a living and, as Frank put it, I see the inner workings of a many companies spanning many industries. Employers very rarely pay market value to employees that work their up from the bottom... so to speak. I see many employees start with entry level positions and get their annual increases with a bonus here and there. Five to seven years go by and they are making waaaaay less than market value because their 3% (maybe 5%) annual pay increase is not on pace with the market rate increase for that position. What happens is that someone from the outside with same years of experience interviews for the same position and gets hired at a much higher salary than you are getting. You'd be better off to quit and come back a week later and re-interview for your job at the going market rate.

 

[dvx216]

Sounds to me you are working for low ball company. What is their average length of time a person that is just starting off with this company last. You are probably not the first time this has happened to someone with this company. It is not uncommon for a company to try to reduce there employee cost using this tactic . Get a clear head remember all you have learned and take the experience you have achieved and make it pay off with someone that values your skills and training. You have paid your dues it time you benefit from them.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Jason, I've been following this thread with much interest. One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is a change of career fields. I've made three changes of career fields in my life and each ended up being a vast improvement over the prior one.

So my advice to you would be this....now that you have your degree, if there was a different field from what you're working in that would be of interest to you, why not give that some consideration?

When you start to think outside the box you realize that the entire work force world is open to you. We put constraints on ourselves because that's what we're used to doing. When you start to think beyond those constraints you might be amazed at what becomes available.

 

[Bucit]

you could always go "Postal" of them? I have two friends who did the smae things as you and work for one of the largest financial firms in the US. Both worked their way up form the bottom and had to basically tell their boss that they found another job and were leaving before management decided to increase their salary to the going rate.

 

[griff4]

Jason, Bucit is correct. Without telling anyone ( co-workers, family and friends), you must try and secure another job that will pay you for what you are worth. It's very important that your new job search is classified. Then when you have the new job secured and are about to start, give your employer a last chance. You can't be to aggressive unless you are ready to walk. Good luck! Griff4

 

[fwebster]

If you try to leverage another company's offer into a raise at your present employer, you will find out what the term "Red Circled employee" means.

You might get an increase, but it will be the last one you get for a long, long time. Almost every company/manager strenuously resists being forced into a salary corner. You will be much further ahead if you take the high road and get another offer, then give notice at your present employer. If they try to talk you out of leaving by offering you more $$, then you must have "The" discussion with them about your fear of being red circled and having to look for another job to find out what your real value is.

 

[BritLady]

Have to agree about being "Red Circled". We are only a small company but our policy is to never stand in anyone's way if they wish to leave. If they give notice we say "farewell" from Doctor level right on down, we don't want anyone who is not a happy team member. We try to treat our staff really well and pay possibly above market rate but if someone gives notice because they have another job and expect us to beg them to stay, we just don't do that. However, if they come to us with cogent reasoning on any issue they have, we listen and try to work it out. We always try to look at the other parties "knot hole" and if you have a chat with HR you may find out some things you did not know hitherto. Keep emotion out of it, listen and analyze what they say your future may be, if you can try to get it documented, seek advice and wait a day or two while you mull it over, make a decision and go forward from there. I would not mention leaving unless you really have a good position lined up. Congrats on the degree and good luck!

 

[Summer Fun II]

Hey Jason !! Are You still with us ?.

 

[Pyrojodge]

Yes, sorry everyone. I decided to head to the boat early and relax and plan the next move. I cant thank everyone enough for the great advice and support. I'll decide what I want to do but I wont get in a hurry and I will do it rationally.
Thanks again all.

 

[Summer Fun II]

Have a SAFE weekend.

Tell me when you have a drink and I'll have one with ya.

 

[Pyrojodge]

Well, Just as an update. I took the weekend off and thought long and hard about what I am doing from this point on. I had a great long talk with a friend that I work with that has been with the company much longer then I have. He explained that my company has a "coffee talk" policy. What that means is you can ask for the higher ups to sit down with you and discuss what ever is on your mind. From what he has told me he has had a few and it has been quite successful. You just have to take the initiative to set it up and be patient to get everyone involved. I have a talk set for next Friday. I plan on being precise and on point and to have the information in hand that I have been researching. I must say that I am greatly appreciative of all the wonderful folks here that gave me some very good information. I do really enjoy what I am doing now. It is kind of neat knowing what I am doing will be used by every new car in the USA and abroad in the next few years. It's pretty neat knowing that my work is what is making these vehicles go down the road. I'll let everyone know what comes out of my discussion. It is not formal just a sit down with a cup of joe and talk about what ever. I think that it is pretty neat that the brass will take the time to do that with their employees when there's 80k of them world wide...

Thanks again all!:thumbsup:

 

[tbirdvet]

Jason, Congrats on graduating. :smt038

From a old fart asking...

Why do they pay you once a month ??. Isn't that illegal ??.

I've NEVER heard of that being done like that. :smt017.

Paying monthly is not illegal. That is how I was paid in the auto industry.

 

[fwebster]

Be sure you know who will be in attendance at your meeting. This is called an open door policy and is generally healthy, however, the list of attendees is important since you will be addressing them with your wage and salary concerns. Such information is generally considered private and in a coffee break scenario, it quickly becomes public at the worst, and forces you to temper your approach so as not to divulge private info (in addition to you, everyone in your job classification will have their salary ranges exposed) at the best. Even more on point is that if you have to hide the salary specifics, then your argument becomes vague and less focused in the eyes of management.

Sure be a lot neater if you had input into the attendees.......your boss or whomever reviewed you last, his superior and a representative from H.R., would be optimum.

Good luck on Friday.........