Am I being taken advantage of?

melysion

So , how does one handle getting more responsibility with added pressure and a minor supervisor type role without any mention of a promotion, salary increase or even a new job title that reflects your new role? This is what I'm facing at the moment. Due to reasons that aren't very exciting the roles in the small team that I work in are being reorganised. The lowest level person in the team is getting a new job title and slight increase in pay to bring them in line with someone else (a new starter). This is in spite of the fact that they couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag. And I'm suddenly getting more responsibilities etc which would be fine other than the fact I am receiving nothing in return for this. Is this how it usually works or am I just being shafted? Any thoughts appreciated.

DKLS

Is this the Publishing sector?

melysion

Yes. Don't tell me this happens all the time right? Even if this is the case it doesn't explain why my colleague gets a promotion for doing virtually nothing extra and I don't get one despite increased responsibilies.

PasturesNew

That's the way it works for lots of people. Yes. Employers will try it on. It's up to you whether you want to hit them with a rise request now, or later .... or just find another job (where the new employer will probably do the same).

It isn't good/hard-working people who get pay rises, it's often the lazy and work shy who manage to suck up and say the right things and smile at the right times.

melysion

Seeing as I have been in the job less than two years the asking for a pay rise is probably too risky. New job it is then. I don't want to be taken for a ride. Why don't employers ever want to treat their staff properly?

shortcrust

Every new responsibility doesn't necessarily warrant a pay rise. I've never had a job with a static job description and I think it's normal to gain additional responsibilities as you develop in an organisation. Getting new roles and responsibilities is surely only a good thing. It'll make you more desirable to future employers. See it as a positive, prove that you can do the job well and ask for more money in your next review.

melysion

It's a big jump - much bigger than my colleagues - and they ARE getting a proper promotion (and pay rise before review). If we were being treated equally it wouldn't matter quite so much but we aren't.

Am definately going to have to consider my options a bit. There are other issues that make the job not quite as ideal ad it should be so I'm probably reacting more strongly than I should but I honestly think the extra responsibilites shuold equate to something extra.

Anyway. Thanks for the replies. Given me food for thought.

Savvy_Sue

They haven't mentioned a payrise / promotion, but there's nothing to stop you doing so. "Of course boss I'm very glad to hear you want to give me additional responsibility etc, but I'd like to discuss the procedure for re-appraising my salary." Don't come with "but they're getting more than me" comments, but sound reasons why you're worth more than they're offering you atm. Find similar jobs being advertised!

Topcat1982

melysion wrote: »

It's a big jump - much bigger than my colleagues - and they ARE getting a proper promotion (and pay rise before review). If we were being treated equally it wouldn't matter quite so much but we aren't.

Am definately going to have to consider my options a bit. There are other issues that make the job not quite as ideal ad it should be so I'm probably reacting more strongly than I should but I honestly think the extra responsibilites shuold equate to something extra.

Anyway. Thanks for the replies. Given me food for thought.

You will not get the sack for asking for a pay rise. The worst they will say is no.

But don't say Bob and Jim are getting a pay rise as you're not supposed to discuss salary with colleagues.

melysion

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

They haven't mentioned a payrise / promotion, but there's nothing to stop you doing so. "Of course boss I'm very glad to hear you want to give me additional responsibility etc, but I'd like to discuss the procedure for re-appraising my salary." Don't come with "but they're getting more than me" comments, but sound reasons why you're worth more than they're offering you atm. Find similar jobs being advertised!

Yes that's true (regarding discussing other peoples salary) plus I don't want to come across as whiny.

I'm going to sit down with my boss next week to discuss it all. I don't hafe any objection to proving myself worthy before getting rewarded officially so perhaps I should go for that angle. As it so happens the job itself is a little dead end and I want to laterally move to another part of the business at some point so perhaps I can ask for training opportunities rather than a wage rise (boss does know my eventual aspirations).

Anyway. Thanks again. I'll have a think regarding how to tackle it next week but I do know I don't want to be taken for a ride.

enjoyyourshoes

Negotiate. Do planning before you go in:-


Increase workload (be specific and measurable)
Responsibility
Accountability
Supervisory (for members of team?)


Sell your skills and ethics


Sell your integrity and loyalty


Then go in with a structured argument/ negotiation


Write down you plan in key points and don't just accept first reaction from manager.


This will show the Org you have great negotiating skills