Timing
It's been a while since I've written, but that's not what this is about.
No, this is about work. As many readers (do I have "many" readers?) may know, my biggest point of annoyance with my job is feeling underpaid. Oh, I'll complain about long hours and hectic days. I'll bitch about computer failures and moving everything for changes to the office. But the one thing that underlies any problem I have with the workplace is looking at my paycheck and thinking "Is this what I'm worth for being on-call to fix just about anything that goes wrong? Is this all nearly eleven years of service with the same company is worth?"
Well, just yesterday I had a conversation with someone in another department. I heard a tale of how she had gone to one manager expressing concern that another employee was getting paid notably below peers simply because she'd been there longer. I heard how the manager came back saying, "Whoa, you're right," to that.
So, apparently, it's not just me. I got the distinct feeling existing employees tend to be overlooked. Rather than sitting down and sitting down and looking at what an employee should be earning, managers seemed to be saying "You're still here, have a three percent raise." It's something, but in short order that pales next to what new employees get coming in. And if it goes long enough, the becomes laughable when compared to what a skilled employee could reasonably ask for elsewhere.
Upon reflection, I decided I finally had to say *something*. With signs this could be a more widespread problem, I resolved to write an e-mail to our HR manager on the subject. I gathered my thoughts, came in to work, and sat down with that in mind (after dealing with a couple computer issues on the way upstairs).
And there, in front of me, was my last paycheck. Really, just the stub, as it's auto-depositted - which is why I don't always pick it up on payday. Inside, a retroactive pay worksheet caught my attention. Apparently, with no fanfare, I had received my raise for the year. Three percent.
With due amusement, I went ahead and wrote what I had in mind. It will be at least tomorrow before things work about to my manager, so I don't know what may come of it, but I've said my piece for now.
No, this is about work. As many readers (do I have "many" readers?) may know, my biggest point of annoyance with my job is feeling underpaid. Oh, I'll complain about long hours and hectic days. I'll bitch about computer failures and moving everything for changes to the office. But the one thing that underlies any problem I have with the workplace is looking at my paycheck and thinking "Is this what I'm worth for being on-call to fix just about anything that goes wrong? Is this all nearly eleven years of service with the same company is worth?"
Well, just yesterday I had a conversation with someone in another department. I heard a tale of how she had gone to one manager expressing concern that another employee was getting paid notably below peers simply because she'd been there longer. I heard how the manager came back saying, "Whoa, you're right," to that.
So, apparently, it's not just me. I got the distinct feeling existing employees tend to be overlooked. Rather than sitting down and sitting down and looking at what an employee should be earning, managers seemed to be saying "You're still here, have a three percent raise." It's something, but in short order that pales next to what new employees get coming in. And if it goes long enough, the becomes laughable when compared to what a skilled employee could reasonably ask for elsewhere.
Upon reflection, I decided I finally had to say *something*. With signs this could be a more widespread problem, I resolved to write an e-mail to our HR manager on the subject. I gathered my thoughts, came in to work, and sat down with that in mind (after dealing with a couple computer issues on the way upstairs).
And there, in front of me, was my last paycheck. Really, just the stub, as it's auto-depositted - which is why I don't always pick it up on payday. Inside, a retroactive pay worksheet caught my attention. Apparently, with no fanfare, I had received my raise for the year. Three percent.
With due amusement, I went ahead and wrote what I had in mind. It will be at least tomorrow before things work about to my manager, so I don't know what may come of it, but I've said my piece for now.
From everything you've told me, I have to concur, you really aren't getting paid enough. So you got your 3% -- whoop-de-do. I hope this works out for you, you really need a better paycheque.
ReplyDeleteWell, here's hoping...
ReplyDeletegood luck! Hopefully they'll realize that you're worth more! (as we all know you are!)
ReplyDelete. . . Dear freakin' gods. And I just assumed they drastically underpaid everybody there because it was Durango. Chico, 2.5-3% is considered a cost of living increase. It's not even a raise. If you get another 3-5% on top of that, that's about right for a merit increase. Whenever you take a new position, even with the same company, you should receive a pay change (we hope it's always a promotion and a raise). They're not paying you for being a warm body. They're paying you for being a body that does certain tasks. They need to pay you for the job, not the length of time with the company. That's supposed to be a *bonus*, for gods' sakes. A phone tech in most parts of the country should make $9-$14/hour. A help desk tech should make $25k-$35k/year. A network admin, depending on skillset, should make anywhere from $40k-$60k. I'm glad you're saying something, now that you're aware of the problem. And if they decline, I hope you at least consider the option of a different job a little more seriously. If nothing else, it helps to have something to retire on, some day. *hugs**
ReplyDeleteI get 7.15 an hour and can look foreward to a $ 0.05 raise for a year of devoted service. It's not the state, it's the country.
ReplyDeleteI totally misread "last paycheck" as LAST paycheck, not "most recent". Had a brief moment of drama, but then I got over it. Wage increases suck here in Ohio too. (Not that that is any consolation.)
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Yeah, things aren't THAT bad. ;)
ReplyDeleteDepends on the job, I suppose. Sounds like you need to track down something a bit better. :/
ReplyDeleteYeah... And you can probably lecture me more on it too, I'm sure. ;) Being Durango, I don't expect gobs of money. The fact that my education is limited doesn't much help - though I do have a lot of experience, especially in how things work *here*. And I don't think anybody would really argue that such isn't worth "more" than I'm getting paid. I think part of the problem is that it snuck up on me here. When I started working here, I was a Mailroom grunt earning minimum wage (though that got bumped up after 90 days). That was expected, really. I got some pay increases there over time. When I moved to Production, I *think* I got an increase, though it's been a while. And now here I am, and I look around and see that while I'm making more money than I started at (and more every year), it's not comparable to what my position deserves. I attribute most of it to lack of management, having gone through my first couple years as a tech without any clear chain of supervision. And, y'know, until I moved out and bought my own condo, I really didn't have reason to be concerned about low pay. It was still way more than I needed. And... in some ways, it's not even about the money. One year in Production, my supervisor pulled me aside and said "You'll be getting this much of a raise this year. You're doing a great job and I really wish I could give you more, but the budget won't allow for it this year. I'll try to get more next time." That alone made up for any numbers or lack thereof. To live in Durango, I'll accept a lower wage than I could expect elsewhere, as long as I can get by. In general, I like my place of work. I like my coworkers. I relish the ability and freedom to bounce around the internet when I'm not busy. The feeling of neglect from my superiors, however, eats away nicely at my enjoyment here. So... here's hoping there's improvement on the horizon.
ReplyDeleteAnd here I thought it was useful baseline information. Sorry you felt you were being lectured. :( I know all about Durango wages, having taken about a 50% pay cut to move there. For that matter, I could be making more than I am in Tucson if I weren't working in social services. I stay where I am because I love my job and it pays the bills. There are certain things that set off my "something's wrong" blinkers, whether on my behalf or someone else's. One of them is being given a new position without any evaluation of whether it's worth the same amount of money as the old one. I got angry on your behalf. Forgive me.
ReplyDeleteTsk. You care, and I appreciate that. No forgiveness necessary. :)
ReplyDeleteI once told my supervisor to his face that he was an asshole and that I quit. He gave me a 3.75/hour raise, and finished my work for me. Sometimes it works. You know... they pay well in denver for most jobs...
ReplyDelete