Weird situation at work

concealer404

Well, i made a thread a couple weeks ago about a promotion. Here's what's happened since then:

DISCLAIMER: Do not take me as a whiny, ungrateful employee, please. I am very thankful to still have a job, and i definitely don't mean to rub it in towards those that aren't as fortunate.


They've offered me 12% increase. The money is not the issue.

There are three job functions in my unit. Customer service, Claims, and Multi-Functional. I am a "Multi." This means that i've been trained in both categories, and that i do work pertaining to both. Multis make more than either customer service or claims, and claims makes the least.

I am currently a "Multi II."

Now. They are doing away with the "Multi" designation because it was found that MOST people with that title were really doing one or the other, not both, due to business needs. I don't fall in this category, because what i do isn't really in ANY of these job descriptions in the first place. Without getting too in to the details, i do systems testing, write process workflows, work directly with sales, business and systems analyst teams, and our client themselves along with customer service and claims to make sure that this new process for "co-mingling" RX and medical is working smoothly. (It's not. That's why i'm working 60 hour weeks, and why i'm fixing the process, which is really the analysts' job.)

Raises are good. Since they're doing away with "Multi", they've offered me "Claims III."

BUT, what they've offered me is LESS than every Customer Service III employee makes in this same unit, and i am more senior than any of them, and not to toot my own horn, i am WAY more valuable to the company than any of them. Terrible thing to say, but it's true. I started with this company as Customer Service, and volunteered to do what i do to help out the unit and ensure that we keep this client that we're having problems with.

With this raise, it's become apparent to me that i would be making MORE money now if i had just stayed with Customer Service, done half the work at best, and not volunteered to learn all these other systems/processes and to fix all these problems.

I'm almost inclined to turn down this raise. Not from a money standpoint, because more money is always good, but for the principle of things. I've already fought this out with my manager, and they aren't coming back with any change in the offer. I'm not looking for MORE money than the customer service area, i'm very used to acheiving more production than anyone else in the unit for the same or less pay, but i'd like to at least be paid the same as these people.

Basically, i feel shafted more in that this shows me that my manager considers me LESS valuable than these other employees, while i bust my **** for 60 hours a week for months on end, regularly hit 200% or higher of production standards, and continually help those same people that make more than me when they're stuck on customer service issues, because i know the answers, i know how to fix them. I've got more experience, and way more working knowledge.

The catch: I'm NOT supposed to know how much these people make, so i can't use that as leverage.

Here's my choices:

1) Take the raise, suck it up. This locks me into that position for another year "under contract." There are loopholes to get around that, mainly "business needs," but most hiring managers in other departments will try to avoid that situation.

2) Turn down the raise, wait for something in a high level unit to come up. (Client Migration, Business Analyst, Auditor, etc etc etc.) No guarantee that anything will open up, or that i'd even be the top candidate for that anytime in the very near future.

3) Somehow fight the issue further with HR. No idea how i would do this, considering that i'm not supposed to know what anyone else makes. I can use Market Reference Point salary figures to my advantage, but this location typically pays below that anyways, because of the low cost of living in this area.



Has anyone else here ever encountered anything like this? I fear this will be a losing battle, being that this is a HUGE Corporate company and in the end, i know i'm not REALLY that important to the company as a whole. But on the flip side, if this unit loses me, i can guarantee with 99% certainty that they WILL lose this client. It would take easily 6 months to prepare another candidate to get a handle on what i do daily, and at least that long again to bring them up to speed, since i'm the only employee in National Operations that has been working on these new systems since the beginning of 2009. They haven't brought anyone else onto it yet, because the kinks aren't ironed out, so therefor, no training yet.


I'm afraid this post may come across as being in poor taste, especially considering Cathy's thread yesterday. I assure you, it's not meant that way. I am grateful to have a job.

Thanks in advance for any input.

nooshinjohn

Take the extra money and fly under the radar for now. When something better comes along, grab it.

concealer404

nooshinjohn wrote: »

Take the extra money and fly under the radar for now. When something better comes along, grab it.

The risk with that is that it's really likely that i wouldn't able to get anything else until my one year "contract" is up.

But that IS the route i'm kindof leaning towards at this point, and just continue to suck up the overtime.

thsmith

If I sound rude I do not mean to.

First quit worrying about what other people make, it will take you down the wrong path. If you are satisfied with your pay then be happy but never, never, try to leverage for more money based upon your co-workers.

In this economy be happy you are working and that the company you work for values you enough to giove you a 12% raise. THAT IS UNHEARD OF NOWDAYS.

nooshinjohn

I would also make note of the stuff you discussed in your original post and use it when reviews come around again. You will be in a better position to use it at that time. By making an HR issue of it focuses the spotlight squarely on you, with the possibility of ruffling the wrong feathers. Take the money.

Tony M

Do you get overtime pay?

If you do .stay and take the raise and accept that they're **** you. I did for 7 yrs.

If you don't get paid overtime, Still accept the raise and wait until the economy gets alot better and make a move away from that group of non appretiative management.

cstmar01

12% is insane. the most our company will even give is 5% and that is a lot and you have to be like the best employee ever to get that.
I would say take the money and just look for other opportunities to come up. My job you only get 1 review each year so that isn't so bad I don't think. (however depends on what you make ect does make a difference).
Also it can look really bad to HR when you start bringing up pay and what not, as with the job market the way it is, they could say we'll just find someone else to take your place ect.

concealer404

thsmith wrote: »

If I sound rude I do not mean to.

First quit worrying about what other people make, it will take you down the wrong path. If you are satisfied with your pay then be happy but never, never, try to leverage for more money based upon your co-workers.

In this economy be happy you are working and that the company you work for values you enough to giove you a 12% raise. THAT IS UNHEARD OF NOWDAYS.

Nah, didn't come across as rude, i understand what you mean. The money itself isn't really the issue. Step promotions are 10-15% raise depending on the "value" of the employee, what they do for the unit, what they bring to the table, responsibility, etc etc etc. These other three people, two of them promoted within the last 2 months, got 15%. They've been doing their job, and their job alone, for less time than i have.

The biggest issue i have (and i guess i should have put this in the first post) is that i asked my manager to tell me what i could have done better, or what was lacking for me to get the full 15%. I got no real answer on that. If i'm lacking or not performing to total expectations, i need to know, so for the next round, i can do what's necessary to hit that full 15%.

I absolutely understand your points, though, and i appreciate your input.

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I would also make note of the stuff you discussed in your original post and use it when reviews come around again. You will be in a better position to use it at that time. By making an HR issue of it focuses the spotlight squarely on you, with the possibility of ruffling the wrong feathers. Take the money.

Probably what i'm going to end up doing, and i'll just make sure that i re-vamp my resume to accurately show everything before i apply for another position.

concealer404

tony millard wrote: »

Do you get overtime pay?

If you do .stay and take the raise and accept that they're **** you. I did for 7 yrs.

If you don't get paid overtime, Still accept the raise and wait until the economy gets alot better and make a move away from that group of non appretiative management.

I do get overtime pay, which both helps and hurts the situation.

Helps: I can really make my own raise, which i've been doing already this year. I've already grossed about $9k so far this year just in overtime.

Hurts: That 3% difference becomes a bigger chunk of change when you include 1040 hours of overtime that i'll probably work total this year.


A move away from this management is in the cards either way. Not necessarily because treatment, but more so because i'm trying to move up the company ladder.

cstmar01 wrote:

12% is insane. the most our company will even give is 5% and that is a lot and you have to be like the best employee ever to get that.
I would say take the money and just look for other opportunities to come up. My job you only get 1 review each year so that isn't so bad I don't think. (however depends on what you make ect does make a difference).
Also it can look really bad to HR when you start bringing up pay and what not, as with the job market the way it is, they could say we'll just find someone else to take your place ect.

I definitely agree. Like i said, i'm trying to avoid coming across like i'm ungrateful for my job or anything. It's a GREAT company to work for. Step promotions are 10-15%, sometimes higher depending on job "ladder," and we also get 2-3% "merit" increases a year (performance driven), quarterly bonuses and all that jazz.

Demiurge

Your industry is in the crosshairs right now as it is so I would take what I could get for as long as I could get it considering how hard it is to find a job right now for so many and a higher paying one at that.

I also agree with not worrying about what other people are making. Keep working hard and hopefully it will be noticed. I think it has been considering the raise. If not, you can go where you can get paid what you think you're worth when the job market is in your favor.

nooshinjohn

...I think I want your job!

concealer404

Demiurge wrote: »

Your industry is in the crosshairs right now as it is so I would take what I could get for as long as I could get it considering how hard it is to find a job right now for so many and a higher paying one at that.

I also agree with not worrying about what other people are making. Keep working hard and hopefully it will be noticed. I think it has been considering the raise. If not, you can go where you can get paid what you think you're worth when the job market is in your favor.

Also true. And not just our industry, but my company in particular mainly because of the rate of growth. We're the biggest, so the spotlight is on us.

AudioGenics

same here.... any opportunities available !

does the company have an location in Maryland ?

concealer404

John and JVC have PM.

kevhed72

Take the 12%, don't complain, and keep working hard. In the long run, doing so will pay off...just my .02. (Also, one year will go by before you know it.)

shack

Your biggest jump in income does not come from promotions within....it comes from changing employers. For instance...they are willing to give you 12%...so what? If you were coming from outside more than likely they would have to pay you the going rate for that postition....regardless of what you were being paid at your prior employer. Their rationale is that a 12% increase is GREAT! In your case it isn't. My best salary increases have come when I've changed because they know what the job is worth and willing to pay for my services....and if that means a 20-30% increase for me...so be it. They have no basis for comparison other than the going rate and my level of expertise. You go along for a few years, getting the annual COL and merit increases...then chances are it's time to move again for another nice bump. Trust me...employers today DO NOT value loyalty...they may exploit it...but rarely value it. We have seen a great example of that on this board just this week.

My advice, take the raise...and start looking to change. Take your 12% bump now and market youself to someone else at the going rate (or better) for another nice jump. And don't feel bad for doing it. This is assuming your services are in demand and there is a market outside your company.


Oh one more thing...every now and then the "I'm leaving unless you increase me to $X" will work...but only once with that employer.

bsoko2

From what they have offered you, the new job discription, and you know others make more then you . . . I have a feeling that they would be happy if you moved on. Age discrimination is alive and well today more then ever as others looking for work are younger and will work for far less then someone with many years with a company. This is what is happening today to senior members of the workforce and especially one with lots of years in with a company. Suck it up and change your attitude! Make your self over and be a more valued team player.

Bill

concealer404

bsoko2 wrote: »

From what they have offered you, the new job discription, and you know others make more then you . . . I have a feeling that they would be happy if you moved on. Age discrimination is alive and well today more then ever as others looking for work are younger and will work for far less then someone with many years with a company. This is what is happening today to senior members of the workforce and especially one with lots of years in with a company. Suck it up and change your attitude! Make your self over and be a more valued team player.

Bill

I hope age discrimination isn't what's happening here....

I'm 24. I will have been with the company for 3 years come July.

Age MAY be part of the problem, but it's going the opposite direction here. I'm constantly in conferences and meetings where the next lowest-"ranked" person could be the regional director, and i'm the youngest by at least 10 years. I do experience some adversity because of it, but i'm not sure that's the issue here.

It's all weird. I'm going to sleep on the offer and probably take it tomorrow, and brush off the resume this weekend and see what else is out there again for research purposes.

Shack, that was a pretty big eye opener, i really appreciate it.

WilliamM2

I think you're pretty lucky. My company has not given raises to any employee for three years now, reduced 401K match from 5% to 2.5%, and medical insurance has gone from $500 deductable to $5000. I'm doing twice the workload I did three years ago, maybe more, and no overtime allowed for the last year.

Sounds like the company is going under doesn't it? Truth is things were a bit slow when this started, but they have added two new locations in the past year. and are expanding two others, business is very good now. But they still use the economy as an excuse. Apparently they don't think we notice the increased business?

I'd go elsewhere, but there is nowhere else to go in the area, and being in Michigan, I would need to move out of state, and I really like it here in northern MI, I also enjoy my work, so I just deal with it.

Toolfan66

12 months is not that long of a wait, Take the money..:cool:


Be happy....