Tangent 21 - Dilemma

Posted by
White Hart

Posted on
13:43
Jun 10 2002

Dilemma

I'm in a bit of a career dilemma here - any advice would be much appreciated!!

The management at my company have just finalised the annual pay reviews, and my payrise is about half as much as I hoped for. Not that it's in any way stingy and if circumstances hadn't changed from last year I'd probably be really happy with it.

However, this time last year I still had the final stage of my accountancy exams to sit. In the last year I have not only passed my exams but I have officially qualified (the certificate turned up on Saturday). It's slightly tricky because I work on the dividing line between the Home Counties and the West Midlands, but a quick glance at some on=line salary surveys very much suggests that the salary I was hoping for is a realistic expectation, on the low side if anything!

Before you all leap to the conclusion that I'm a money-grubbing so-and-so, I have never been that bothered in the past but in a few months time my partner and I are contemplating a major change in our lifestyle. At present he runs a pub. The salary isn't great but we do have the benefit of free accommodation. After we get married he wants to leave the pub trade and look for a new career. This will almost certainly entail him taking a pay cut in the short term, added to which we will suddenly have to find about Â£1000 per month for rent and bills if we want to stay in Oxford (it's not cheap round here!), and suddenly I can't afford to work for less than I could be earning.

So, does anyone have any ideas what I should do? Do I say something at work? Do I just start looking for a new job? I love my job, but not enough to stay if I feel undervalued and certainly not if it means that we end up struggling to make ends meet. I really don't know what would be the best thing to do here!

10 Replies and 1458 Views in Total.

Sydney You can lead the whore to culture but you can't make her think!

Certainly a tricky one. you need to take a few things into consideration before you do anything. i.e.

How long have you been working there? It will affect how good you look on your cv for looking for other stuff.

Did they train you? If so that will have cost them a bit. They'll not wantto lose you that easily. this could affect whether you decide to tackle them on it.

How does your salary compare with others in the company doing your job/ at a similar level? If its on a par then i doubt you'll have a chance of getting a further raise.

How much do you spend getting to work? Could you move somewhere closer to where you live and save money that way?

What are the company like when people say they are leaving? ar ethey positive and helpful ar is there backbiting and privilage withdrawls going on. it may be better to keep quiet

If it turns out that it may be worth trying to negotiate a payrise then take it up with your line manager (or whatever glorified title they give your direct superior) Don't ask right out - explain your situation and how you will be struggling on your current salary and are currently exploring your options. Ask if she/he has any ideas etc. I've got something from a magazine about the perfect way to ask for a payrise. I'll try and dig it out and post it for you

Good luck anyway. Hope this helps a little

Posted: 13:56 Jun 10 2002

Cat "Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." ~Anon

Talk to them. they wont fire you for asking for more money. The worst they can do is say no. You seem to have researched it which is good, just be calm, professional and ready to compromise a little.

You also have to deside what to do if the answer is a flat no. Is leavng an option? (but dont give them an ultimatum)

Good luck, hope you get it

Posted: 14:19 Jun 10 2002

Jayjay "I may be scattered / A little shattered / What does it matter / No one has a fit like I do / I'm the only one that fits you"

For what its worth, I think you should start looking for a new job. If you've done the math and your current salary isn't high enough, then I don't see that you have any other option.

However, once you have been accepted somewhere, with the right pay level, then you have to ask yourself 'putting pay aside, which job do I want the most'. If it's the new job, then hand in your notice and move on.

If it is your current job, then go to your line manager, before you sign your new contract. Advise them that you've been offered a new job on better pay, but would like to discuss the situation before making a decision whether to leave.

Wage negotiations are always more fruitful when you are in the driving seat. It makes more sense to discuss it once you have an alternative than before - because then you're dealing with actualities rather than possibilities. It also helps to focus the attention of your employer.

At the end of the day there is no loyalty in the work place anymore. Very few people work for the same employer all their life. If the books don't balance at work then no employer will think twice about redundancies if it puts them in the black, so why should an employee think twice about changing jobs if it helps balance their books?

Who you work for is a business transaction. It should always be treated as such. Emotions like loyalty shouldn't come into it.

Posted: 20:29 Jun 10 2002

Samphirette To you I guess I'm just a clown who picks you up each time you're down

by Jayjay
If it is your current job, then go to your line manager, before you sign your new contract. Advise them that you've been offered a new job on better pay, but would like to discuss the situation before making a decision whether to leave.

I actually did this back in November, I had been wanting to move into a fulltime job (I was currently on 25 hours where I was) but saw no prospect at the time of my current position taking me on fulltime. Also even on the currently hourly rate it didn't reflect what other similar jobs were being paid.

So I job hunted and was offered a position elsewhere, imagine my surprise when my current location suddenly asked if I would work fulltime on revised wages. Admittedly the wages didn't quite match the new job but as it was prior to christmas and I didn't really want a heavy change at that time I agreed to stick with the job I know best.

But I have often wondered whether I was a fool not to accept change and move on at the time.

Posted: 01:11 Jun 11 2002

White Hart So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Well, I did it! I went in to see my boss this morning and said that having been given the details of the salary reviews I'd like to talk to him about mine. He said that he'd meant to talk to me about this before I was given the details as he was still trying to negotiate my payrise with the MD. He also asked what sort of range I was looking at

So now I just have to wait and see what happens, but at least I no longer feel undervalued!

Thanks for the advice, I'm not sure I'd have had the courage to say anything without that and then I'd still be sitting here muttering!

Posted: 13:25 Jun 11 2002

Sydney You can lead the whore to culture but you can't make her think!

Thats great news. hope it comes out favourably!!

Posted: 14:10 Jun 11 2002

Green_Amber Duct tape is like the force: It has a dark side, a light side, and it holds the universe together.

Good for you White Hart - also please be aware of what your male colleagues are being paid - too many companies are still discriminating!

But - Whooooo Hoooooooo anyway

Posted: 14:21 Jun 11 2002

Jayjay "I may be scattered / A little shattered / What does it matter / No one has a fit like I do / I'm the only one that fits you"

Nice one, White Hart. Best of luck on the second review.

Posted: 19:29 Jun 11 2002

White Hart So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Well, I ended up doing better than I'd originally hoped

Although I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised as at the moment I'm doing maternity cover for the senior accountant and I'm the only person who knows how anything works until she comes back in January

(Edited by White Hart 11/06/2002 19:41)

Posted: 19:41 Jun 11 2002

Jayjay "I may be scattered / A little shattered / What does it matter / No one has a fit like I do / I'm the only one that fits you"

Congrats!

Posted: 19:49 Jun 11 2002

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