I work at a small, growing company. We currently have 12 people on staff, and I talk to the owners on a daily basis. When I got this job last June, I was really happy with the salary, which I'll tell you now is in the low-$40k's. It's not much, but it's enough to provide along with my wife's part-time work as a pre-school teacher.
Now the interesting part ... On Friday, the New York Times ran an article in the Your Money section titled, "Using the Web to Get the Boss to Pay More." Guess what? My co-worker, hired three months earlier than me and at the same level, is the human interest angle in the story! The article relates her experience using an online pay-estimating site to negotiate a higher salary at her previous job. At that job, she was able to get a raise from $42k to between $50k and $60k. Read the first page of the article to get the details.
Now, my co-worker is a great gal and we collaborate frequently--I'm hesitant to bring the pay issue up with my bosses because I'm pretty certain they'll have read the NYTimes article, too. But this is too rich to pass up. Obviously, I'm being grossly underpaid. I'm comfortable with what I have, but of course more money would be nice.
What do you guys think? Should I leverage this knowledge? I just had my one-year review--should I wait until my half-year review to talk about money? (Maybe people will have assumed I didn't read the article if I wait.) And then, asking for a $15k increase seems a little much, right?
Please let me know!
3 comments:
Ahhh yes, that sounds familiar. Suddenly finding out what your co-workers are making for approximately the same work. Happened to me a year or so ago, and it's a demon that has to be put down. And I say "demon" because having this knowledge fosters bitterness, jealousy and ingratitude, if you let it fester. I had to really deal with my own heart and thank God that I had a job in the first place.
In a small company, it's not surprising at all to see a wide range of salaries. Unless your responsibilities significantly increase, I find it hard to believe an owner can justify a $15k jump. Instead, I would aim for a $5k average raise per year (which you should definitely talk about). That's more than a 10% raise every year (and quite significant). The only way to get raises of more than $10k is to either change jobs (like your co-worker did when she hired on), or get a promotion.
Oh boy! I imagine this is either a salary-enhancing opportunity or an important lesson so it'll be really fine... in the end.
I agree with Bipen about dealing with the heart first, and he has good ideas about the 5K steps too.
Another possibility: If you do discuss with your bosses now (which they have to be expecting since the story is only all over the NYT!), you may have TWO opportunities to renegotiate your salary, right away and in six months.
You have new info now. Just go in prepared like your colleague.
It may turn out to be in the best professional interests of the company and yourself somehow. Possibly offer to take on an extra responsibility that's fair and "grows" your career so they'll fork over the increase?
If the bosses don't budge (or half-budge) but everyone handles it gracefully and resourcefully, you'll at least have sent a signal and prepared the ground actively for your next steps. They may well be struck by your attitude and character.
You know the culture, timing, relationships, etc in your office so trust your instincts and know that God is exceedingly bigger than anyone's boss!
Doors and opportunities have a way of opening up when our work and attitudes are excellent. I'll think some more about this and pray! ALL THE BEST, TS!
Thank you both very much for your good advice. Bipen, you're uncannily prescient. I went through all the emotions you described over the weekend and on Monday.
We also had an editorial meeting on Monday. At the end, while my boss was still in the conference room but others were leaving. One of the account managers (who did my initial interview, and knows how much I asked for) queried my NYT-quoted colleague about the article. She said it was just a favor for a friend and she certainly didn't want to be in the New York Times! I bet!
Anyway, I was silent, as was my boss. Silence in this situation could only be explained by having to have something to hold back. Why else would you not pipe up at hearing someone was quoted in the NYT?
Anyway, I haven't brought up the issue. Now is definitely not the right time. I've actually been really sick the last two days (again) and we're really busy at work.
Anyway, I know that, in the end, God provides everything I need.
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