Raise for work outside of job description

[chuchuchui]

Hello,

I have been with a company for five years as an hourly employee. When I originally started the job was mainly data entry. As the company has grown I took on more tasks. The work I do now involves writing, running, and distribution of reports in Crystal XI that takes up about 50% of my day. These tasks are literally not in the job description for the title I have. They are starting a new department which they will rely on me to provide the information for that department from our system. My current wage places me below the income level of affordable housing for a single dwelling unit, as defined by HUD, in the county in which I live and work. How do I got about bringing a raise and changein job title up to my boss? How can I know that my request has been pushed on to their boss who controls the budget? Thanks

 

[AlexCuse]

I am kind of in the same boat as you, although I do not know anything about that HUD stuff. I brought up the idea of giving me a raise every six months to my boss a couple weeks ago (actually re-brought it up. It had been tossed around at my last review (6 months ago), but since then our department has been moved under the control of a different partner, so I am pretty sure it dropped off the radar). Hopefully the boss will come through for me, although his track record for remembering things is not so great.

I have in my head a deadline, along with what I feel would be an acceptable raise by said deadline. I am gearing up to hit the job market again if I am not satisfied by the deadline I have set. I think the most important thing is probably to have no flexibility in your deadline (as long as it is reasonable), and if you truly feel underpaid get your resume out there. Don't stick around because you feel comfortable at your job, or because they keep promising you the raise is coming (unless you have it in writing). Most companies will do a lot more to keep you working at a substandard salary than they will to pay you what you're worth. Luckily you have acquired some valuable skills that will help you to land a better job if they don't step up to the plate.

Good Luck,

Alex

Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom

 

[aarenot]

requesting a raise is one approach.

requesting that your job be re-evaluated for compensation as the duties, and responsibilities have changed to no longer reflect the position you were hired, and compensated for is another approach.

I suggest the re-evaluate approach, well before your next review.

In your review for instance, in response to input based on duties outside your job description.

Boss: You have done well in some areas, but you need to improve in area X.

You: Thank you for the input, and I will work on that. I intend to do A, B,and C to try to improve my skill sets in that area. In fact, I am glad you brought that area up. I am very happy to have the opportunity to grow in these areas, and take on new areas of contribution responsibilities, but since A is not really part of my job description, or duties I would appreciate it if my review would not reflect negatively in that area, but simply state that I am working at skills outside my current job description with an open attitude, and am showing apptitude.


I would not use that as a quote, but simply use the occurence as an opportunity to highlight what you do beyond the duties, and responsibilities on which your compensation is based. Do not be confrontational, but simply inquire if it is reasonable to have negative review for duties which you are taking on outside the parameters of the job for which you are hired, and being paid. If that does not go over well, you might ask that while the review on these duties remains, that it also be noted that they are areas which are obviously only included in your review due to your willingness to take on whatever duties you are asked to, regardless of if they fall within your job description.
You might want to have your job description with you, and a copy for your boss to review during the meeting.

 

[SQLSister]

Rememebr the best way to get a larger than average way seems to be be to get a new job description and title. If you have taken on new dutires that were not part of your orginal description then you are pwrerfectly placed to get your job description rewritten and be evluated for higher compensation. Get your ducks in a row before you go to your boss andor HR with this issue, Show them that you have researched the differnce in what a person with your current duties makes vice the ones in your job description. Have a new title and job description drafted up to give them. The less work they have to do, the easier it is for them to agree to the change. You still may have difficulty getting the upgrade depending onthe company and their finances, but I've noticed they normally can find the money if someone is changed to a different job title easier than if they stay in the old job with the additional duties added to the current job desciption. Not sure why, but I have seen this happen repeatedly through the years.

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[mmorancbt]

I have always been a big believer in transparency. Understand, however, that it is my nature. If I believe I should be making more - and from your explanation, it would seem that you should be - I would do a few things.

1) I would come up with a reasonable dollar figure. Don't over-analyze, salary survey this, just a gut-check. You should be more valuable to your company that someone with similar skills because you are already there. No training, you know the business, you know the players, etc. There is intrinsic value in that.

You need to have a general idea of what you are "worth" to the organization.

2) I would have an open conversation with my manager. If this is something you feel is not possible, you have to assess whether the problem is you or whether your boss precludes open conversations.

If you are unable to speak with your boss, do you have an “advocate” within the company who might provide some input or advice on how to move ahead in the company?


For me personally, I would never work for a company where I cannot have an open conversation with my management. I am that way as a consultant and was that way as an employee. I need to feel that I can approach them and say, “This is the situation. This is what I need to have happen. What do I need to do to make this happen? How soon can this happen?”

And if the answers are not what I want to hear, I have to be able to voice that and also feel as though I have no anger, resentment, and bitterness toward my employee/client. Meaning, transparency is the start of negotiation but you don’t always get what you want.

Perhaps we find a common ground that works. Perhaps we don’t. But not knowing is the worse situation – it keeps you in suspense. For instance, if the company you work for can never meet your career objectives, isn’t it better to know this A.S.A.P?

DISCLAIMER: I am not indicating that you march into any office or you take any particular action. This is what I would do because I have no risk aversion – I was born without it or it broke when my mother dropped me on my head. This is both a blessing and a curse! If you are not similarly wired, you need to tread more carefully. Suffice to say, I will only work for people with whom I can communicate with easily and have fun with!!

Just some thoughts.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

 

[lespaul]

[off topic]Matthew, Did you get the email I sent you regarding our conference this year? I haven't heard back from you and just wanted to see if it had been delivered or was lost in cyberspace somewhere.

Leslie[/off topic]

 

[mmorancbt]

I do not remember seeing it.

Please visit my kreativeknowledge.com website and try that email address.

Thanks.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

 

[monksnake]

Take a day or 2 off work and have someone else do your job(s). If the boss actually has a clue what is going on and if you are good, he should notice that it takes 2 people to do your job, or one person a LOT longer than it takes you. Somehow let him know what exactly you do in a day's time. Then after a few weeks just put in a request for a raise.

If you don't get a raise after that, FIREBOMB HIS HOUSE!!!

[small]"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again." - George W. Bush[/small]
<.

 

[Welshbird]

I was in a similar situation and I did what most people advocate that you do.

I listed my new responsibilies, and I researched the salaries locally for someone filling that vacancy.

I requested a review with my boss, and explained (in a completely non-emotional way) that I was seeking to be recompensed more as I was doing another job now. I told him what I'd be prepared to accept, and by when I wanted this change to happen.

He did come through with a pay rise, which was less than my minium (which was also less than my research showed locally) and so I took the decision to look elsewhere.

I diid find a job that suited me really well, and so I went. The original company now have three people doing the tasks that used to be mine, so they've lost out big-time - and I've been promoted and moved on within a company that appreciates me.

So, sometimes biting the bullet and being prepared to go is worth while!

Fee

The question should be [red]Is it worth trying to do?[/red] not [blue] Can it be done?[/blue]

 

[mmorancbt]

willif,

Your story and point is well-taken. When you create a true vision for what you want to make (within reason), the next step is to take action. If your current company is not willing to pay you what you believe you should make, you are free to take your value to the open market.

Not in some emotional tantrum, "how dare they, HOW DARE THEY!!!" sort of way.

Matthew Moran (career blog and podcast below)
Career Advice with Attitude for the IT Pro

http://blogs.ittoolbox.com/pm/career

 

[aarenot]

I would suggest working in the negotiation for the new job having a reasonable new position entry level rate change soon, as well as a goal rate defined within some specific time period. That goal rate may be tied to certain peformance criteria as well.

If you are good, and can meet the criteria, this should not be an issue for either party, and it shows a willingness to allow both parties to have a perceptual win.