What would you do?

getmore4less

broke=skint wrote: »

My role varies drastically everyday, tomorrow I could be rebuilding a crashed PC, the day after I could be rebuilding a crashed network.
I don't have a title as such so I have nothing to stick to, I do what ever is priority.
My company is a retailer for Industrial supplies which I think is where the problem lies, they have had no one in the company before of a technical nature and therefore base all rises on age, gender and time served with the company.

Still not clear, do you just fix stuff.

Who decides what you fix first.
(Why is so much stuff broken)

What do you do when nothing needs fixing?

How do you contribute to making IT infrastructure more efficient?

How big is the IT dept, where does it report into the org.

property.advert

Your current pay level is immaterial so forget all that. If they make a mention of it, then just refer to the fact that they have been getting you on the cheap for so long.

You need to know your facts. If you are not getting interviews for the other positions then you have to reassess your position. If you are, then I would interview and get another job. I would then go to your boss and state that you feel you are worth XYZ amount and you want them to consider it.

You will need to prove why you should get this new salary, not just how much it would cost them to replace you. What makes you the right person for the job and what have you achieved.

I once doubled my salary during a number of mobile phone calls when out shopping because I was in demand somewhere else and they were paying much more than my current rate. How much I was previously on was immaterial to the extreme; only the market value of my skills was important.

Fluffi

broke=skint wrote: »

I have already told my manager that I have no intentions to move as I like working there and I did mention that I would like to progress.

Tip for the future - don't tell your manager you have no intention of moving on during pay neogiations. If they think you are so happy at the company that you won't even consider applying for another job (and so finding out what the real market rate is) then the business is going to pay you as little as it can get away with! If you want to be paid "market rate" or closer to the average in your area then you need to demonstrate that although you are happy at the moment you've got an eye out for other opportunties.

Similarally telling your boss about your debts also weakens your neogiating position because they may assuming you'll stay in a relatively secure job rather than risk going to another company (with the risk that you can easily be sacked in the first year of employment).

I would be applying for other jobs right now - assuming the job market near you is relatively good at the moment - if its not then you don't really have grounds to complain anyway. It all depends the IT sector is picking up in some places - some skills are achieving 6 figure salaries again!

terra_ferma

It seems such a strange coincidence that when you hear about people being paid less than their colleagues it often turns out to be the only woman in the team!

E.g.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1752691

broke=skint

Again thanks for all of your replies. There is a lot to take in and I am going to re-read all of the advice given before talking wth my manager again.
He did briefly suggest to me yesterday that he was going to do all he could to help but the final decision doesn't lie with him so I'm not holding out too much hope on that one.

As for being honest with them e.g my debts and not wanting to leave, I have been told by others I shouldn't have said that but in the heat of the moment these things happen. I am going to try my best to keep my emotions out of it in future and think before I speak!

I also agree that my current wage is immaterial. Forgetting national averages, if you focus on my job role and vaccancies in my area I am underpaid for what I do and they have been taking advantage of me not highlighting the issue.
If they come back to me and either offer there original sum or a slight increase, would it be fair if I ask for a simular review 6 months down the line when they know more about how the ecconomy is looking?

Many women in my company are seeing the same problem so its interesting to read link to the sexual discrimination post, saying that, a lot of the younger males also have the same problem.
All very interesting, I will take time over making my decisions and listen to everything everyone says. All there is to do now is sit and wait

jobbingmusician

broke=skint, have you found the debtfreewannabe board? I do think you'd feel much more positive and assertive about EVERYTHING if you made use of the support on there - they are a really great bunch!

I just feel that if you felt you were grabbing your debt by the balls, as it were, that you would also feel more confident in all areas of life

realshannon

I agree with jobbingmusician, I am sure you are looking at other ways of reducing your debts, but have another look and see what you can do. You know, cashback sites for everything etc - I know clearing your debt in 2 years would be brilliant but perhaps think that 3 years wouldnt be so bad? Only you know how you feel, they are trying to keep you happy and for example, my poor hubs hasnt had a pay rise for 2 years BUT he is happy and we live in a rural spot so jobs with good pay arent that available. No point earning more money, no debts but dread going to work, been there and done that! Personally, I would see what they come back with, grab it, reschedule in 6 months, maybe get some more holidays so you can mystery shop or whatever! best of luck whatever you decide to do, just dont let it nibble away at you

firstpost

b=s do remember that the sector you work in also plays a big factor in your renumeration. In organisations where IT is critical such as finance the rewards are far greater than in organisations where IT is mainly an admin function. IT support roles can also vary considerably from answering the phone and assigning the call to providing complex technical help.

You should consider your long term job goals and plan for a promotion rather than just job hopping at the same level - especially if you are happy where you are now. IT Support roles that provide the opportunity to get involved in everything are becoming rarer. What area of current role do you enjoy most? Can you identify something associated with this area that needs improving or implementing and work with your manager to come up with a plan and timescale to address it? Can some time be set aside each week to work on this project? Whatever the project you should try to manage it formally with a project plan,agreed timescales and regular reports to management. Will the organisation provide additional training to help with the project - this is a particular benefit, especially if it leads to some form of recognised acreditation. It would be particulary good if this project leads to cost savings, improved efficiencies or increased security for your organisation.

To increase your income is it possible to arrange some out of hours work that will be paid at a higher rate? e.g. do the patch cables in the comms cabinet need tidying, are there server upgrades or updates that are best managed during quiet times. Do you use your home broadband to provide out of hours support to the organisation perhaps they'll fund it? Can you negotiate an on call rate to offer out of hours support to the organisation?