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Re: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags?

Subject: Re: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags?
From: "William Sherman" <bsherman77 -at- embarqmail -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L Writing" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2015 23:42:34 -0400

I work with a guy who has been with the company for 20 years. He has hit top of his pay grade. Without him, they will take a major hit. Yet, they have turned down pay increases two years in a row.

If they can't give this guy even a couple thousand dollars based on his importance, there is no way your company will jump up $13,000 for you. No offense, but that is how it goes in companies. They think they own you and will turn you down, assuming you will yield. And if necessary, they will waste more than that easily trying to replace you and end up having to pay more for the new guy.

Pack your bags, clear most stuff from your office, and prepare to walk out. then go ask for the raise. If you get it, great. If not, move on because it really isn't worth staying. You will be ahead.



----- Original Message ----- From: "RaphaelWorkman -at- comcast -dot- net" <raphaelworkman -at- comcast -dot- net>
To: "TECHWR-L Writing" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 7:31 PM
Subject: Ask for a raise? Or pack my bags?


Hello tech writers:

I don't know where else to turn for advice.

Is it a risk to my job security to ask my supervisor or an HR employee for a raise or work from home privileges? I earn an anonymous amount of money between $36K and $38K annually. I was hired 3.5 years ago at $32K. I just found out the national average is around $60K. I'm feeling undervalued with long hours long commute and low-ish pay for my field. I used to be allowed 2 days/wk work from home and just to come in on those days for occasional meetings. I was told our new building is new and nice and I am now expected to be in the office every day. I've been with this company for 8 years total and 3 years as an above-average tech writer, content developer (Adobe Captivate and Articulate Storyline), and instructional designer. I write/develop for a department of 1,000 people in 2 states in call centers that support all of the security system installers for US and Puerto Rico. The subject matter is highly technical including hardware, software, and troubleshooting. I came up th
rough the ranks 4 years troubleshooting and programming, one year leading and training, and 3 years as a tech writer with many "other duties as assigned." I imagine my job/work is worth at least $50K. Am I delusional? Should I just be happy to even have a job at all? FYI I'm too nervous to strike out on my own as a free-lance contractor type but I'm looking around at places like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Jeppesen. I'm in my mid 30's and I'm old enough to wish for a company from which I could retire, but I think I may be deluding myself to think this could happen where I am. There are no similar jobs in my company that are just a step up from where I am, and none of my peers makes very much money. With my annual "merit increases" being anywhere from 0% to 3.1% I don't see myself making very much money in the future. I can't really bring this up to my boss or HR without a strategy because I fear once they know I want a lot more money they may begin quietly looking to repl
ace me.

Advice?

Thanks,
Raphael

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