I need a raise

Who has gone up the food chain if you will. Taken on more responsibilities and put the company first.

Started off fitter welder.
Promoted to level one I did not ask. Accepted my fault.
Promoted to level 2 I did not ask. Accepted my fault.
Promoted to level 3 head boss of the department did not ask. Accepted my fault.
Sent to Hawaii asked to be a ship superintendent did not ask. Accepted my fault.
Back in town now I am a ship sup and head of department. Accepted my fault.
By the way this took years.
By the way I have heard that where you land in position is where you struggle, that's your peak.

Ok I am not tooting my horn I don't walk around like a peacock like I am someone special. I realize if I quit today the company would survive. When I took on the level 3 head of the department,I thought that I would get what the old boss got. Surprise not what they thought. I have over 200 employees and I out produce the others and get job done. Also biggest craft that makes the most money this must maintain. Again I am no one special.

So here is why I am asking for more money right now. I believe that as head of the department which I would be reporting to a different group of bosses, will be like well if you want a raise you must prove that you are proficient, right I get it. But while I am running this other job/ position which will be at least a year. I cannot dedicate all my time to head of department. So my imagery raise will be a year plus how ever long it takes to earn so called raise. So I am fucking myself helping them run a job.


Right now I am responsible for a 30 million dollar project plus all other projects in the yard that my craft is on. Big boss says he understands, and will look I to it. I did not say you have to give me X amount per hour or I am out of here.

Anyway I think I have handled this well, waiting on his answer, maybe if they don't want to pay me for the extra work I will just run the department. And they will find someone else to run the project.

If any of you have been in the position of having to constantly prove yourselves and not get anything back please tell me your story and how you handled it. Any advise will be taken.
This is just a major milestone in my career and thought I would share, also my longest post ever.
Cheers

 

Are you working part time?..jk..hope you get what you deserve! Good luck

 

I asked for a raise and they said no so I quit and started working for myself

Good luck, I would at least send my resume out to other places just to get some idea of what other companies would pay you. Always good to have backup options and know the lay of the job field. Your boss wants to pay you as little as possible, if you can find other job opportunities you can leverage that for more pay or have another door open if they decide someone cheaper can take your position.

 

I started off loading trucks for R&L Carriers 27 years ago bounced around to do better.

I’ve relocated to seven states since then for Toyota, John Deer, and DuPont, and now manage eight plants from Georgia to Arizona.

Quit crying and go find your raise. Stop expecting someone to give it to you. Someone else may pay more for what you’re selling if they see your value.

As bad as it may sound to the receiver of the information... At a point; if you don’t do better, it’s more on you.

 

My dad always said "if you don't ask for more money, no one will give you more money".

 

My dad said “If you have to ask for it, you don’t deserve it or your in the wrong place”.

 

Not knowing your pay scale or your area, or whether you're working government or commercial ships, yeah, sometimes it's hard to navigate. But unless you're a retired bird or flag guy, you'll lose. If you're in the government world. In 40 years of Navy ship repair, alterations and new construction, I've come to accept that you either sell your soul, or settle for a decent living and hope you get out when you want too.
Good luck.

 

I don’t know why companies fail to recognize and reward their up and coming high performers (other than salesmen), but that seems to be a common mistake that they make. They’ll overpay an unknown commodity when they hire from the outside, but ignore who they already have. This incentivizes people to job-hop to be compensated what they deserve. This is one reason why loyalty to a company is less common now.

I worked 17 years for the same company since after college and advanced like you. Then they asked me to move across the country because they were closing the office where I lived and they offered me a so-so incentive package to help me move. They acted as if I should be greatful for being offered a position, forgetting my years of service and all the cumulative value I added to the company plus what I would continue to do.

So I left and went to another company, for more money, a more fulfilling role, and greater work-life balance. Been with this company for over 7 years now and don’t regret it. My prior company has reached out to me twice and I’ve politely told them to f off both times (politely because i believe in being respectful).

So my humble opinion is to look at other opportunities and consider the money/happiness/life balance equation to make the best decision for your future. Don’t be afraid to do what’s right for you. And good luck.

 

Funny you should say that, I have a guy that said he will work up to his potential when he gets a raise. My response, you'll get a raise when you live up to your pontential. He will probably be unemployed by Dec1.

 

I agree with being respectful, but there's also the burning bridges thing.

 

No, this company was big on learning and they had many leadership development programs within. In fact they taught me very well and I am grateful for that. Issues like this result from a lack of character. I didn’t disclose that my new company offered me a chance to buy in recently so I have a small piece of ownership now. I go out of my way to promote talent within equally as finding talent from the outside. As a part owner, it costs me to do the right thing. But it’s the right thing to do.

 

OP, I’m not really familiar with your line of work, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask for a raise and be prepared to articulate the value you bring to the company. As far as promotions go, in my experience the higher up you go the less often you get promoted. Most career paths have a terminal velocity where you stagnate a bit, not because you’re unqualified but because there’s a limited supply of jobs the higher you go. In my experience and profession, career growth generally follows this formula:

Career Growth = Performance track record + Perceived readiness + Advantages over your competition + Company needs

The first three elements are largely within your control, but the last one comes up only so often. The key to the equation is that when the company need arises, it’s too late to establish your competence. You make your case for a promotion every day you show up to work.

Hope you get what you deserve my friend!

-E

 

So some perspective from a business owner.

1. Yes, you should ask for a raise if #2 does not apply.

2. Yes, a good company has scheduled evaluations and a process to provide raises. This is what I do for my employees because I don't want them to ask for the raise and I want them to have a process for being rewarded...besides other perks.

Lastly. ANYONE who works for someone can NEVER get paid what they're worth. (Unless they truly are overpaid) why? Because I hire people to help me make money and continue to spread the margin. Also the cost of employment, insurance taxes etc. I have to cover the costs of the employee. So...an employee can never make their own worth.
I've had people (even parent and friends) say "not fair"..until...I remind them of my multiple office expenses, building lease, business insurance, simple economics and forecasting....if ANY of that hits the skids, it's on me..my bank account. Therefore, he who accepts the risks gets the most reward. Then, spread the margin and grow.

For what it's worth, even during COVID and shut down I paid employees to NOT work. I grew up poor, everyone needs help from time to time. A good company DOES take care of people. Not all owners or bosses are bad.

So.. option 1 ask, option 2 get evaluated 3. Search around get numbers and compete 4. Start your own business.

Good luck God bless and Godspeed

 

I think companies will allow you to take on more and more responsibilities. But will not offer more money unless it is an official position that has a known pay spec. When you get into doing multiple job descriptions example doing two jobs that are normally done by two different people. It can not hurt to ask for money.

Like I said and if I didn't I did not go in as a disgruntled worker, just made my case. Again the response I may get is well we will find someone else to take over for some of the work load.
Like some have said companies will rather save the money, so if you don't bring it up they won't.

Also I hope I did not come off as crying that is not in my character courtjester

 

Ask for an hourly/weekly raise somewhat reasonable..? Also ask for additional paid time off..maybe a week? And ask for profit sharing or greater 401K contribution!

 

@Part_time
My career path had similarities to yours.
Started as a union carpenter apprentice and worked my way up; lead, foreman, general foreman, superintendent, contract administrator, estimator, project manager.
Here’s a couple strategies I used along the way;
1) If you are not talking to the person that decides if you get a raise you are wasting your time
2) don’t ask for money. Ask, “ what do I need to do to be worth more?”. This way, THEY set the goals and it’s understood when you get there.
3) request reference letters from every owner, vendor, etc, that you interact with as you complete your jobs. Keep them in a file.
4) go online and find out what people in similar positions are earning, do this regularly.
5) don’t bluff. I have seen good men get kicked down the road when they thought they had an edge.

hope this helps

 

Good luck OP, if you have a solid case and can address with the right people, you never know.

 

I am sorry to say this, but I received my biggest boosts to income by changing jobs.

 

BTW: Negotiation skills help. It is a learned skill. Read lots on this.

I am sure you have heard this. You should always be looking for a new job.
The time to look for your next job is the first day you start your new job.

 

Same here. I only look at a resume to check for job-hopping or other red flags. It’s all based on my interview. I’ve had way better results hiring guys with no experience, and teaching them, than I ever did with the very few times I’ve hired based on resume. The guys with no experience that are given an opportunity will stick around longer and care more about the job than others. I actually got an email a few weeks ago double checking because I haven’t sent anyone to new hire orientation in a couple of years. Just haven’t had to hire anyone in a while, even though my business continues to grow.

Back on the subject, just ask. Be prepared to show tangible evidence of added value. Do not threaten to leave. I’ll generally tell someone in that situation that I’m taking that as a two week notice. I’ve even canceled a raise I’d already approved for someone who came in and did that. They didn’t know I’d already done it, and came in my office saying “If I don’t get x amount, I’m out of here”. (The raise was more than they were demanding.)
Not saying don’t be willing to leave, just don’t threaten with it. That will backfire pretty often.

Always take everything into account when looking at other jobs. Benefits, stability, work environment, etc. I’ve seen plenty of people switch jobs for more money, only to be miserable later. Keep in mind also that if things go south at the new company, they’re going to make cuts based on two things - salary and seniority.

 

There is something satisfying about signing both sides of your pay checks.

 

Well I got the raise X more dollars an hour. Stipulation because I am doing two completely different jobs. Here how it goes Xk quarter bonus plus the raise for working this project. Plus back pay to September 3rd. Here is what they want to do remove the raise when I am off the side project and just running the department whether it is end of job or not. Bump my other bonus up by 1k quarterly after I am off the project.

I will be doing both until at least June or July.

So they made it that I will have incentive to complete the project, but if the department starts to slide I will have to find a replacement.

I am glad that the company recognizes the effort it takes to successfully run a job of this magnitude. Disappointed that they want to take it away later but we will see.

Two pluses one work as many hours as it take to do both of course this means if necessary I wont have a life for the time being. Two if they want me to do it again they know what the going rate is.

Just hope they will forget to change back seems like I won the battle but not the war.

Also you can be the judge of yourself you know if your doing a good job and if you are there is no reason why you should not have the conversation with your management for compensation.

I just edited how much per hour and bonuses cause my wife said to change it, but it is good.

Thanks for the advice and conversation.

Cheers

 

Overall, that's good news. You should walk a little taller tomorrow. Well done for asking and well done for the company for recognizing.

 

Also I will take some time to read some of those books

 

Sounds like you are in the Army.

Good luck with the raise - I hope they recognize your value.

 

I have been getting raises every October for the last 8 years and this year is the only year I havent gotten one. Im sure its cause of Corona. But on another hand I was on unemployment for 2 months during the pandemic and it was like a 2 month vacation getting a little over $2000 every 2 weeks for unemployment. I got new bikes for me and my boys, we were riding everyday and getting Uber eats.

 

Merry Xmas