Emailed my boss for raise - worried

[audrey2580]

We just hired someone for a similiar position as mine and she was hired at nearly what I make after 2 years here. My boss is on a working vacation so I emailed him asking for an increase in pay to make up for my seniority. I haven't asked for or gotten a raise in my 2 years here. After I sent the email I regretted not asking in person. Is this as bad as I think it is? I never ask for more money at any job becuase I'm so thankful to have one - but I'm great at what I do and a real asset. Just need some reassurance.

thanks

 

[phorsenuf]

We just hired someone for a similiar position as mine and she was hired at nearly what I make after 2 years here. My boss is on a working vacation so I emailed him asking for an increase in pay to make up for my seniority. I haven't asked for or gotten a raise in my 2 years here. After I sent the email I regretted not asking in person. Is this as bad as I think it is? I never ask for more money at any job becuase I'm so thankful to have one - but I'm great at what I do and a real asset. Just need some reassurance.

thanks

Sorry, but that's something I certainly would never do. You should have waited until he got back to the office and made an appointment with him.

 

[C.Ann]

What's done is done.. No sense worrying about it now.. Maybe you'll get lucky and find that your boss is not the type of person who would take offense to the manner in which you approached him or her..

Again - can't take it back, so don't worry about it..

I hope you get your raise..

 

[anniemae]

Don't beat yourself up, what's done is done.

I do think you should have waited until he was back from vacation (working or otherwise). I would have used the time to work on a self evaluation detailing your job responsibilities, overtime worked, extra work you took on etc.....basically what makes you such an asset at your job. Then schedule time to discuss it with him when he is back.

As I said though, you can't go back in time and undo it, so just wait for his response. He may just say that he will chat with you when he returns. It probably is not as bad as you think, and he may be greatful you brought it up.

 

[audrey2580]

I feel like an big dork that I did it but I never ask for anything and often get overlooked because of it. We are a super casual office and my email was light. But I do regret sending it. Maybe I'll mention it to him when he returns and say that I realize I should have talked to him and not email. Thanks

 

[crashbb]

How do you know what the new hire makes? I was taught to never refer to a specific other person when negotiating my own salary.

 

[mjkacmom]

Well, you can't take it back, but I'd let your boss know what you meant was that you wanted to meet with him when him when he returns, and wanted to give him a heads-up on what you wanted to discuss. Now is the time to prepare a detailed list of your assets, and why you deserve a raise (not mentioning that the new person is close to your salary, unless you know that person's qualifications).

 

[surfergirl602]

We just hired someone for a similiar position as mine and she was hired at nearly what I make after 2 years here. My boss is on a working vacation so I emailed him asking for an increase in pay to make up for my seniority. I haven't asked for or gotten a raise in my 2 years here. After I sent the email I regretted not asking in person. Is this as bad as I think it is? I never ask for more money at any job becuase I'm so thankful to have one - but I'm great at what I do and a real asset. Just need some reassurance.

thanks

If he's out of the office and he hasn't read it yet, maybe you can retract the message and them talk to him in person about it. An email is easy to pass over. Face to face contact will get your further, I think.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Doing this by e-mail gives your boss an "easy out." He can easily send you some excuse as to why you aren't getting a raise without even being confronted.
In these times, I would not be asking for anything.....just my 2 cents.


I hope it turns out well for you.

 

[sparklynails23]

People around here are hiring like crazy for the holidays and entry level jobs. Just go with what you've done. What will you do if they say, "No?"

 

[audrey2580]

To answer a few questions: We are a small office and very casual. I text him stuff all the time and he replys often that way instead of by phone.
I see peoples salary since I helped hire them. This is the 1st time I've said anything since this new job is similar or even less then mine and she makes the same. I know her qualifications and I could run circles around her. In fact I was told that I should not even think about asking for this new job becuase I was too valuable and I should find a clone of me who could handle the new job.

I always think "in these times I should be happy to have a job" but why should I not ask for a raise? Why should others ask and get one and I just get walked on and be happy to be paid less? I agree I made a mistake in asking by email and he can now just ignore it or make an excuse. But I think I'm happy I finally asked for what I deserved. Even if I went about it wrong. I reread my email and it is light and not demanding just asking him to please consider a small increase due to my senority. Oh well worst case I don't get it, best case I do.

If I don't get it I will do nothing. So nothing lost or gained.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

How do you know what the new hire makes? I was taught to never refer to a specific other person when negotiating my own salary.

I was wondering the same thing. In all of the places I worked if salaries were being discussed, or played against the other (as in this case), it was ground for disciplinary action and/or immediate termination. Salaries are normally considered confidential.

 

[audrey2580]

The salary was also posted on the job description so the whole company saw. Its not like I rummaged through stuff or asked her. I didn't discuss it with anyone but him. I'm not playing the salary against her. I'm asking for a raise based on my senority.

 

[C.Ann]

The salary was also posted on the job description so the whole company saw. Its not like I rummaged through stuff or asked her. I didn't discuss it with anyone but him. I'm not playing the salary against her. I'm asking for a raise based on my senority.

Salaries are often posted - within the company and often publicly - so potential employees can determine if they would be interested in applying.. I wouldn't give it a second thought..

Again - hope your boss comes through for you!

 

[BELLE1109]

As an HR professional, I would never advise someone to email their superior for a raise.
But as others stated what's done is done, we all make mistakes.
as a PP said, an email is an easy out for the boss. Sitting down face to face, its much harder for you to be denied, especially if you are a valued employee. If he would not agree to the raise, you'd at least have a reason.
No one should be underpaid, do your research and find out what employees with similar qualifications are making. glassdoor is a great site.

good luck

 

[crashbb]

The salary was also posted on the job description so the whole company saw. Its not like I rummaged through stuff or asked her. I didn't discuss it with anyone but him. I'm not playing the salary against her. I'm asking for a raise based on my senority.

Why didn't you say something when the job was posted? If I saw a job with a salary that was equal to mine (and I had been there two years), I would have questioned it then.

 

[msmayor]

While you're waiting to hear back, what you really need to do is make a list of concrete and measurable reasons WHY you should get a raise. Just playing the seniority card isn't a good enough reason.

How has your position changed since the last increase? What additional duties do you perform? What additional value are you bringing to the company?

In my mind, an employee should NEVER base the reason for wanting a raise on the salary of another co-worker.

 

[Jennasis]

Not sure I'd have bothered my boss on vacation with the request, but no use crying over spilled milk. Just wait and see how it plays out. Good luck!

 

[pixiedustaholic]

I would never ask for a "small increase" especially since you haven't had one in 2 years. Let them come up with a number and negotiate from there. I went for several years without a raise and finally spoke up. They offered an amount and I told them that I deserved more based on xyz and I got it!!

Good luck.

 

[sparklynails23]

Did you get the raise?