Getting a raise @ work

hillm12345

count your blessings.. I haven't had a raise in 5 years.. stupid state budget cuts.

bulbadoof

That's an extra $676/year. If you don't want it, you could always donate it to a charity of your choice every week. They'd be very grateful.

KourtneyP83

I haven't gotten a raise in like 5 years...the joys of a state job. Sucks you didn't get much but hey its money you didn't get before.

dsjohndrow

It all depends on what the raise if for. Is it for cost of living or merit? If it's cost of living, a few percent is the norm, if that. If it is merit, you may want to ask what you need to do to get more, get promoted etc. Some places don't have anywhere for you to go.

A lot of folks are lucky to be working, and a select few are getting raises. I am fortunate to be one of them.

Perfectdiamonds1

Got a raise today...came out to a whopping $13/week more....is it wrong that this really really p*sses me off???

I realize that I should be lucky I have a job, got a raise, and all that.
Just can't seem to let this this go today for some reason...

Yeah you are wrong for being p*ssed off. Try not having a raise in 6 years (all employees). Can you say, Thank you Lord?

fitterpam

I'm sure others have said this, but I haven't had a chance to read through all.

1. If you think you deserve more, bring something to the table to back it up. I walk into my negotiations with a list of the things that I accomplished over the year and how I met or exceeded what they wanted from me at the beginning of the year. eg. No lates within the 12 month period, Exceeded Sales targets by 26% over the course of the year. If they can see that they paid for a well done job, they are more likely to give a raise.

2. Ask your boss what the average raise within the department was - you may be surprised to find out that you weren't too far off average. If you find out that you were higher than the average, you know that for the department you were fairly compensated. If you find out that your raise was lower than average, show interest and ask for feedback for the reasons. My company includes this as a matter of practice for all raise discussions - it might be more difficult for smaller companies to disclose for confidentiality agreements. It might surprise you to know unless your performance was poor, you're likely about average for the company. The way it works for us is that my boss gets a budget for the coming year. He has to decide how to split that - his manager has to review it and approve it and then HR has to review and approve. It really isn't arbitrary in many many cases.

3. Act professionally. I would never tell my coworkers about my raise - the specifics of my employment are meant to be kept confidential (talking about it on an anonymous website is a better idea). Research your industry and understand what is going on. As an example, this year, my raise was around industry standard (a little under cost of living given the challenges with the economy). Know what you should be asking for during negotiations. Start discussing raises prior to the final decision with your boss.

I am grateful every day for my job, but when you feel you're working and getting underpaid, it really can be an irritant. Obviously everyone has struggles and comparing different situations isn't going to help anyone. My final thought: I didn't see any mention of the your performance on the OP or company/industry standards. It's never enough money - and if you can find out where you stand, you'll likely be more at piece with it. Raises are not a given in many many jobs anymore - if companies are forced to lay off to keep doors open, why would they pay their staff more money.

BTW: CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RAISE!!!!

Perfectdiamonds1

I haven't gotten a raise in like 5 years...the joys of a state job. Sucks you didn't get much but hey its money you didn't get before.

I really feel you on that. The joy :bigsmile: but retirement is in sight:laugh: :glasses:

Ocarina

I feel very very grateful whenever I get a raise.

I just got $1.25 increase after only being at this company for 6 months. I'm very proud of myself and grateful to have this happen to me even with it being a state job.

I guess we all appreciate things differently.

3shirts

I think some people need to calm down a bit and re-read the OP. He did acknowledge that he is lucky to have a job etc.
Everyone has different things that annoy them or cause them a bit of stress and a need to rant. I could go on every thread on the site and say "huh, you are lucky to have access to clean water, 1 in 9 people don't you know".
At the end of the day, no two people have the same problems but I think we need to be forgiving enough to let someone have a little rant about theirs.

LNPurdie

My husband was made redundant, yesterday. We just bought a house and relocated away from family for work 2 years ago. I hate MITIE

LittleNicci

got a 13 cent raise, that comes out to $5.20 more per week, be thankful you got more than most! :-)

LittleNicci

That's an extra $676/year. If you don't want it, you could always donate it to a charity of your choice every week. They'd be very grateful.

that's an awesome idea! :-D

HannahsReturnToFitness

I work in the private sector in the UK. We haven't had a raise in over 4 years.

I would be officially a lot better off on benefits and staying at home and that is wrong.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

Wait until you see what it is after taxes!

It happens to me all the time. Almost 90% of my raise goes straight to our rotten government & eventually in our f**** government officials' pockets & stomachs :grumble:

giggles7706

I get a whopping 2% raise a year - which is about 16 cents.:grumble:

dreamshadows

I haven't seen an increase in 4 years. No benifits. No OT. But then again, not many jobs are as relaxed as this one. 3 time cut off a night to meet. handle anything left from day shift. Once the work is complete I can do what I like until the next cycle.