TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
"I have never seen anyone threaten their employer with
leaving in order to get a raise, not any tech writers
certainly. If I were the employer, I'd let them go,
realizing that I'd failed to make their employment
attractive and failed, already, to make the employee
want to stay."
A couple of years ago, I arranged with my supervisor to telecommute one day a week after I returned from maternity leave. When I got back, the situation (and my supervisor) had changed, and telecommuting was no longer an option. After a few of weeks, I realized what I really wanted/needed was to take some time off and try the mom thing for awhile. I didn't want my resignation to be seen as a ploy to negotiate, so I did quite a bit of research through employment specialists on how to craft my resignation letter so the question wouldn't arise.
One of the agency representatives mentioned something I'd never thought of before: A sure sign your employer has little respect for or loyalty to you offering a raise or other benefits when you submit your resignation. Why weren't they giving you what you were worth in the first place?
Sure enough, when I submitted my resignation, my new supervisor offered to work out a telecommuting schedule. I thanked him, but stuck to my plan, and didn't regret it for a moment. The company I now work for offers telecommuting and more money from the outset.
