Got a raise, but not satisfied...

[Po Pimp]

Ok, I've been working at my job for the past 3 months. The job was only slated to last 6 weeks and the pay was modest, but I figured some money is better than no money when you've been unemployed for a year. Flashforward...after the six weeks passed, they decided to only keep 2 of us due to a lighter workload, plus my supervisor. About three weeks after that, my supervisor was let go, so that left me and my coworker pretty much taking over his duties plus our old ones. We both got training so that we were both capable of fulfilling those duties. So for the past month or so, we would split the workload. However, for whatever reason, everyone would come to her with the major tasks to complete, even though I was sitting in the same room doing the simple stuff.

Now just a couple of days ago, our boss wanted to meet with us. He decides to promote her to our old supervisor's position, and I got a raise as well. Now I have no problem with her getting his old job since she did take on the majority of the responsibility. Now my issue is this...I don't know exactly what she'll be making (I'll ask her Monday) but judging by how shocked she was, it must be WAY more than I'll be getting. I can live off what I'll be making, but that's only because I have no kids and I'm not married. I just don't feel the disparity in pay should be what it is considering I have the same knowledge as she. In fact, I actually think I have a better grasp on the system than her, but that's neither here nor there. She's the type to always call and ask for questions (and she usually makes a LOT of phone calls), whereas me, once you tell me once, I got it.

So basically, what I want to know is...after just getting a raise, should I demand pay just a little closer to what she's getting since I've pretty much been helping and assisting all along? Should I fall back from helping and just accept my raise and do the work she assigns me? Anyone ever been in a situation like this? Feedback would be much appreciated...

[Jr.]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

Ok, I've been working at my job for the past 3 months. The job was only slated to last 6 weeks and the pay was modest, but I figured some money is better than no money when you've been unemployed for a year. Flashforward...after the six weeks passed, they decided to only keep 2 of us due to a lighter workload, plus my supervisor. About three weeks after that, my supervisor was let go, so that left me and my coworker pretty much taking over his duties plus our old ones. We both got training so that we were both capable of fulfilling those duties. So for the past month or so, we would split the workload. However, for whatever reason, everyone would come to her with the major tasks to complete, even though I was sitting in the same room doing the simple stuff.

Now just a couple of days ago, our boss wanted to meet with us. He decides to promote her to our old supervisor's position, and I got a raise as well. Now I have no problem with her getting his old job since she did take on the majority of the responsibility. Now my issue is this...I don't know exactly what she'll be making (I'll ask her Monday) but judging by how shocked she was, it must be WAY more than I'll be getting. I can live off what I'll be making, but that's only because I have no kids and I'm not married. I just don't feel the disparity in pay should be what it is considering I have the same knowledge as she. In fact, I actually think I have a better grasp on the system than her, but that's neither here nor there. She's the type to always call and ask for questions (and she usually makes a LOT of phone calls), whereas me, once you tell me once, I got it.

So basically, what I want to know is...after just getting a raise, should I demand pay just a little closer to what she's getting since I've pretty much been helping and assisting all along? Should I fall back from helping and just accept my raise and do the work she assigns me? Anyone ever been in a situation like this? Feedback would be much appreciated...

I've never been in this situation, but maybe you can ask your supervisor why she got the promotion instead of you? Maybe she's doing something they like that you're not aware of?

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

Welcome to the working world. Management position will always make more then non management position. Don't matter how much you know, if you don't have a management title of some kind on your work ID you will never make as much as her.

Sad to say, that is just how it is. Don't matter what job it is, it is like that in every line of work. All you can do is just suck it up and try to get promoted to some type of management role yourself.

It's not what you know, it is who you know. I have seen my fair share of not so bright people running businesses and organizations......

[youvalss]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

I don't know what policies you have at your workplace, but every place I worked, co-workers were not supposed to talk about how much everyone makes. Make sure that there's no such policy where you work BEFORE asking anyone about their wage.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

I'd just keep the conversation focused on what YOU can improve on to be in line for the next managerial opening. You definitely don't want to come off as ungrateful.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

I've never been in this situation, but maybe you can ask your supervisor why she got the promotion instead of you? Maybe she's doing something they like that you're not aware of?

Before we were even knew we were getting promoted/a raise, my co-worker told me how they were putting a lot on her plate and wanted them to start giving some of it to me. She thinks it was because we have different personalities...she's more outgoing, whereas I'm laidback. So as a result, they felt more comfortable with giving her the assignments, then she would split it with me. So I guess that would be the reason.

Welcome to the working world. Management position will always make more then non management position. Don't matter how much you know, if you don't have a management title of some kind on your work ID you will never make as much as her.

Sad to say, that is just how it is. Don't matter what job it is, it is like that in every line of work. All you can do is just suck it up and try to get promoted to some type of management role yourself.

It's not what you know, it is who you know. I have seen my fair share of not so bright people running businesses and organizations......

I don't really wanna say it's who you know...even though she does have a relative who works for the company (in a different location) in a pretty high position. I would HOPE it's the personality thing, and now since I know what it's about, I can definitely be more vocal in the future. I think I will eventually get an opportunity, because even though she's a cool person, I potentially see her making a huge mistake down the line if we don't confer with each other. Plus she's going on vacation in a few months, so I'll have a chance to prove myself then. Not only that, she's a single mom, so there will probably be times where she'll be late for work or have to leave early, meaning I can take over when she's not around.

I don't know what policies you have at your workplace, but every place I worked, co-workers were not supposed to talk about how much everyone makes. Make sure that there's no such policy where you work BEFORE asking anyone about their wage.

You're right. It's probably poor taste to talk about salaries, so I'll refrain from even discussing that.

I'd just keep the conversation focused on what YOU can improve on to be in line for the next managerial opening. You definitely don't want to come off as ungrateful.

You're right as well. I think all I need to do is keep doing what I've been doing, and maybe I'll get a shot. Prior to getting promoted, she had already planned a vacation in a few months, so I'll have no choice but to prove my worth when she's gone. Also, there won't be any other managerial openings. The only way I can get this position is if she leaves, gets fired, or gets demoted since only she, my old supervisor, and myself are the only people in the entire state that have the training for this particular position.

Thanks for all the help...I'm just gonna accept my raise and if she slips up, then I'll be next in line. I'll also be more assertive than I've been in the past.

[sbmnky]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

Thanks for all the help...I'm just gonna accept my raise and if she slips up, then I'll be next in line. I'll also be more assertive than I've been in the past.

Perception is reality - therefore you need to make your mark. Knowledge isn't everything - it's an important part of the equation, but not the underlying factor. It's about marketing yourself. Although to many of us, myself included, marketing can seem self-promoting in a bragging manner - although it doesn't have to be. But you have to let people know that you're a competent worker, a hard worker and that you're reliable and accountable. Most people are too concerned with their own career/job to notice you.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

Perception is reality - therefore you need to make your mark. Knowledge isn't everything - it's an important part of the equation, but not the underlying factor. It's about marketing yourself. Although to many of us, myself included, marketing can seem self-promoting in a bragging manner - although it doesn't have to be. But you have to let people know that you're a competent worker, a hard worker and that you're reliable and accountable. Most people are too concerned with their own career/job to notice you.

That's my thing. I'm not very good at playing roles. The job is not very complex to me...in fact, it's quite easy. I understood everything they presented to me in training. Even throughout all my years of schooling, I rarely would have questions (unless it was something to do with science or history due to those being studies with grey areas, as opposed to say, math and English)...that's just how I am. She, on the other-hand, would have question after question. I guess that made her appear to be more in tune and involved. They know I'm a competent worker, otherwise, I don't think they would've kept me in the first place. However, the fact that she's more vocal might make it appear to them that she possessed more leadership qualities than me.

[p_rushing]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

If that is the case, then ask if there are other areas you can help out with. It may not get you more money now, but in the long run it should open more doors for you to advance.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Got a raise, but not satisfied...

After the smoke cleared, I'm just glad I got a raise. I wasn't expecting one, as this was only supposed to be a temp job, so I'm grateful for that. Also, my new supervisor is starting to become very irritable and in panic mode over all her new responsibilities. I'm pretty much in chill mode...lol