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Why do you have to switch workplaces to get higher raises?

4,841 1,079 March 14, 2012 at 03:33 PM in Computers (4)
It seems so stupid. My current job wants to give me a 2% raise.... on 51k because I'm an "admin" - while others who get paid more then me and have the whole summer off get 3%

Friends are telling me the only way to get more is to switch workplaces. Problem is I really like the job, they just need to pay me!!

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PiratePenguin
03-15-2012 at 07:10 AM.
03-15-2012 at 07:10 AM.
Quote from Marchdude :
My company only has 4% matching for 401k. It sucks.
Better than nothing though. Wife's company doesn't give any benefits at all.
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Joined Nov 2009
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Original Poster
J3ff
03-15-2012 at 07:26 AM.
03-15-2012 at 07:26 AM.
Quote from nizzy1115 :
Don't just look at your pay, look at your benefits too. My companies offers lower salaries but large bonuses and a great 401k policy (they give 15% if you give 3%), as well as a very good insurance program. Additionally 40hr weeks are all that are required and comp time is given for any time over that.

You have to look at the whole picture. You might not be sitting as bad as you think.
Yes, after 2 years at my place you give 2.5% they match with 7.5% this year I give 2.5% and they'll do 10%..

I do consider that. It's more about the fact that when the board decides "all administrators get 2%" they are not thinking about the 5 or 6 of us (out of 30) who don't make six figures.

It's also being told that my time is less valuable when I bust my ass OUTSIDE of normal work hours, as well as summer work.

I worked it out last night me (2%) vs the 3%'ers.

This is what happens if I keep letting them do the 2% thing to me.

year 2% raise 3% raise Difference
1st $51,000.00 $51,500.00 $500.00
2nd $52,020.00 $53,045.00 $1,025.00
3rd $53,060.40 $54,636.35 $1,575.95
4th $54,121.61 $56,275.44 $2,153.83
5th $55,204.04 $57,963.70 $2,759.66


Total diff $8,014.45

I already let them do the 2% thing last year, because they also took on my cell payments (which actually got me MORE money then getting a 3% raise, especially when you throw in taxes)..

However, as you can see, by the 5th year, I'm 8,000 less then someone else who gets 3% assuming they started at 50k when I did.
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Kabn
03-15-2012 at 08:03 AM.
03-15-2012 at 08:03 AM.
then use your list of achievements and talents to suggest a better raise/promotion during your next review. your employer might not know how much work you're putting in or how integral you are in the company; enlighten them and let them know how much you're expecting (a specific dollar amount). worst they can do is say no, and even then, you'll have an official record of the request so you can say things like "i've been requesting this promotion for three years now, it's really time for you guys to step up."

i have coworkers/friends who are underpaid or get passed over for promotions, but when i ask if they presented their case with actual figures/hard stats/a project record, they say they basically just walked in and said they deserved it, citing a few achievements and unmeasured things like commitment to the company and personal drive.

also: it's kind of risky, but you can say you're under some financial duress since you thought you'd be getting better raises than this. might work if you have a personal relationship with your boss, but might go the wrong way as well ("you shouldn't have taken the job if it didn't pay enough; don't count on raises.").

if they're still stagnant after all that, ask what needs to be done to get the raise/promotion (more hours, taking more responsibility, etc.) and decide if you're willing to do that or if it's time to start looking around. i left government-funded higher education four years ago, and i'm glad i did; there's absolutely no money there now (at least in my state).
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moey
03-15-2012 at 08:06 AM.
03-15-2012 at 08:06 AM.
because a new employer starts off thinking your brilliant, after a year they realize thats not the case and give you a 2% raise
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J3ff
03-15-2012 at 08:31 AM.
03-15-2012 at 08:31 AM.
Quote from Kabn :
then use your list of achievements and talents to suggest a better raise/promotion during your next review.
Main problem - we do not officially get reviewed. The one year "contract" meeting I guess is considered it, but that's just the head sitting in a room saying "so how's it been"

No one tracks admins, unless you start screwing up... we have no HR dept.
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J3ff
03-15-2012 at 08:38 AM.
03-15-2012 at 08:38 AM.
Quote from moey :
because a new employer starts off thinking your brilliant, after a year they realize thats not the case and give you a 2% raise
Actually - the head of my dept and head of the whole place love me and constantly SAY how important I am to them (I turned an IT dept who usually makes nothing into an IT dept who MADE the place 7000 bucks this year, through video production)..

The problem is the board doesn't know people like me exist (lower paid admins) I think.
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Curtieson
03-15-2012 at 08:50 AM.
03-15-2012 at 08:50 AM.
Quote from J3ff :
Actually - the head of my dept and head of the whole place love me and constantly SAY how important I am to them (I turned an IT dept who usually makes nothing into an IT dept who MADE the place 7000 bucks this year, through video production)..

The problem is the board doesn't know people like me exist (lower paid admins) I think.
I think you have found the problem...you work at a job that does not look at each individual workers output and promotes the ones doing a good job and you complain you are not being recognized financially...

You may like your WORK, but clearly you do not like your JOB. Sounds like you need a new one if it bugs you that much.
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Joined Jan 2008
HER SPOILED HIGHNESS
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ALVSGIRLY
03-15-2012 at 08:56 AM.
03-15-2012 at 08:56 AM.
Wow! I agree with curt!
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Scampsters
03-15-2012 at 09:02 AM.
03-15-2012 at 09:02 AM.
Quote from Curtieson :
I think you have found the problem...you work at a job that does not look at each individual workers output and promotes the ones doing a good job and you complain you are not being recognized financially...

You may like your WORK, but clearly you do not like your JOB. Sounds like you need a new one if it bugs you that much.
Its alot easier to whine and complain about your unhappiness and wallow in self pity and the illusion that the person earning $10 more at a different company is in a much better work environment.
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slapshot136
03-15-2012 at 09:02 AM.
03-15-2012 at 09:02 AM.
because they aim for efficiency - chances are you won't quit and suck it up, allowing them to keep more $$ AND keep you - why should they pay you more? you can ask for more, but it's unlikely that you will get anywhere with that, or you can leave
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Landers
03-15-2012 at 09:03 AM.
03-15-2012 at 09:03 AM.
So, your complaining about a pre-tax raise of around 1000/yr instead of 1500? Really? Should just be grateful to have a job you can go to every day and receive a paycheck from.
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Original Poster
J3ff
03-15-2012 at 10:34 AM.
03-15-2012 at 10:34 AM.
Quote from Landers :
So, your complaining about a pre-tax raise of around 1000/yr instead of 1500? Really? Should just be grateful to have a job you can go to every day and receive a paycheck from.
Sorry, I worked hard at school (k-12 4 years in college and 3 years of masters) and fought even harder to get a job. I wake up and I'm at my desk at 730, do my job and go home, i'm here on my lunch break at the moment. . There's a fine line between being grateful and letting people take advantage of you, while the six figure crew gets lots of money and the 3% crew gets more then you......it's being taken advantage.

We did work out a deal today 2.5% plus cell which actually nets me more then just a 3% raise would, so that's fine for this year. I'll have to battle it out again next year I suppose.
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idkist
03-15-2012 at 10:58 AM.
03-15-2012 at 10:58 AM.
Just another reason why unions are the devil incarnate nod
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Landers
03-15-2012 at 11:58 AM.
03-15-2012 at 11:58 AM.
Quote from J3ff :
Sorry, I worked hard at school (k-12 4 years in college and 3 years of masters) and fought even harder to get a job. I wake up and I'm at my desk at 730, do my job and go home, i'm here on my lunch break at the moment. . There's a fine line between being grateful and letting people take advantage of you, while the six figure crew gets lots of money and the 3% crew gets more then you......it's being taken advantage.

We did work out a deal today 2.5% plus cell which actually nets me more then just a 3% raise would, so that's fine for this year. I'll have to battle it out again next year I suppose.
Of course there, is. However, I wouldn't be getting worked up about $500 a year. If it's that big a deal, take what you're given and start looking for work elsewhere. Point is, it's a rough economy, not a lot of a jobs, and even loss jobs are actually giving raises. I have a few friends that have taken pay CUTS to just to keep having a job.
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Joined Jan 2006
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Landers
03-15-2012 at 12:01 PM.
03-15-2012 at 12:01 PM.
Quote from idkMyBFFist :
Just another reason why unions are the devil incarnate nod
And yes, unions suck. I refuse to ever be a part of one.
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