How do you ask for a raise?

[EsmeraldaX]

Well, they just sent out the announcement about my friends promotions and several other people got promotions as well. Would it be wrong to inquire why I was overlooked?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

The soonest these people can meet with me is Wednesday. I am furious. Someone calm me down.

 

[Beth76]

I don't have any advice, but I'm sending good thoughts your way. Waiting until Wed. may help you become more prepared for what you need to say. You seem to be getting some good advice on the board. I know you probably had yourself all psyched up to go talk to them today. But a couple of more days will only help you prepare some more. Good Luck!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thank you.

The annoucement really just made me even more angry, because I noticed that another guy who started 3 years after me just got promoted to supervisor.

 

[Beth76]

Something I just thought of.... Some people here said to make sure you don't say "so and so just got a raise". I'm wondering how it will look if you bring this up right after they just announced these other raises/promotions. Again, I have no advice because I've never worked in a business situation like that. But, perhaps some other people might be able to give new advice in light of the new announcements.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

So I just talked to the two people who are in "charge" while my boss is out. They basically told me that they are pulling for me but that they can't do much until my boss comes back.

So , do I want to wait 6 weeks to find out whether or not my boss thinks I should get a promotion or do I want to make it clear that I want an answer about this from SOMEONE sooner than that???

Grrrrr.

 

[OceanAnnie]

You've gotten some good advice.

Now, take a deep breath and relax a minute. (I would feel the same way.) But don't go in there like a bull in a china shop! Don't make any demands. Your validity will be lost.

It may be a good thing that you can't see HR until Wed., you need to calm down, girl!

Use that time to write out your entry job tasks and what you have taken on since then. It will be your strongest asset in presenting your case. Also, gather your performance reports to have on hand.

Edited to add- I hope you get to see the Head of HR. This really is a terrible oversight. There should be someone in a higher authority that can right this wrong. Someone should step up to the plate.

Oh and bring a pen and paper for documentation purposes. You may need it to hold them accountable.

 

[raidermatt]

As others have said, you want to leave other employees out of the equation. If HR and the managers have half a clue, they won't discuss anything to do with other employees' compensation with you anyway.

Bob NC's advice on what to say/write is very good. The format isn't all that important. A business letter format is fine, but so would a simple memo with bullet points. The key is to keep it focused and not let it get too wordy.

As far as who to go to, HR is fine, though normally they won't make decisions about compensation as that is the manager's call.

One question... have you brought up the issue to your manager's manager?

Normally, its not best to go to HR until you have been unable to receive a satisfactory answer from your manager. In this case, since your manager is out, you should probably run it by their manager. Just in general terms... something like "I have questions about my compensation and promotional opportunities. Is that something I should speak to you about since my manager is out?"

They should either answer "yes", or tell you who does have the authority to discuss such things with you.

If that ends up getting you nowhere, then go to HR.

That way, you give management the full opportunity to address the issues, and they won't get blindsided by HR.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by raidermatt
As others have said, you want to leave other employees out of the equation. If HR and the managers have half a clue, they won't discuss anything to do with other employees' compensation with you anyway.

Bob NC's advice on what to say/write is very good. The format isn't all that important. A business letter format is fine, but so would a simple memo with bullet points. The key is to keep it focused and not let it get too wordy.

As far as who to go to, HR is fine, though normally they won't make decisions about compensation as that is the manager's call.

One question... have you brought up the issue to your manager's manager?

Normally, its not best to go to HR until you have been unable to receive a satisfactory answer from your manager. In this case, since your manager is out, you should probably run it by their manager. Just in general terms... something like "I have questions about my compensation and promotional opportunities. Is that something I should speak to you about since my manager is out?"

They should either answer "yes", or tell you who does have the authority to discuss such things with you.

If that ends up getting you nowhere, then go to HR.

That way, you give management the full opportunity to address the issues, and they won't get blindsided by HR.

Her manager is the VP and I felt it bst not to annoy him with my problems. I've never even met with him.

 

[Disney01]

Honestly, I know you're not going to like this answer, but I feel it's best left until your boss gets back. I doubt HR is going to give you an answer until then anyways.

Also, I don't mean to be rude, mean, or anything, but be prepared for some honest constructive critiscm. It just seems that if there were promotions and raises handed out, you may have been overlooked deliberatley and for a reason. For some reason, they obviously did not want to give you a raise. Now, you may not get a raise, but you can find out the reason.

All you may get out of it is a performance review and a way to improve your job, so be prepared.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Disney01
Honestly, I know you're not going to like this answer, but I feel it's best left until your boss gets back. I doubt HR is going to give you an answer until then anyways.

Also, I don't mean to be rude, mean, or anything, but be prepared for some honest constructive critiscm. It just seems that if there were promotions and raises handed out, you may have been overlooked deliberatley and for a reason. For some reason, they obviously did not want to give you a raise. Now, you may not get a raise, but you can find out the reason.

All you may get out of it is a performance review and a way to improve your job, so be prepared.

I have gotten nothing but top notch performance reviews (my DBF and best friend have gotten mediocre ones at best). Both of the assistant managers in charge of the dept. now have told me they are also angry that they didn't give me (or anyone else from my dept. ) a raise and that the sole reason is that the boss is out on leave.

 

[Disney01]

Well, all I can add, and this is from someone who has been in a very difficult job situation once that I ultimately left, is that "This too shall pass". Cliche, I know, but it's best, as others have said, to take a deep breath and realize at one point or another, most trials do go away, so however it turns out, you will get through it.