Disappointing annual salary increase

[Anonymous]

OP, of course it’s ok to try to negotiate. If you have been covering for a colleague, I would try to negotiate a bonus for that work, unless it’s expected to continue, in which case I would advocate for increased salary.

5% raise is pretty good, but there is context here. Just go in with a clear ask and do not let yourself get emotional about it when discussing with your boss.

Just say, I want to talk about my compensation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I clearly need to reconcile my feelings but I feel so taken advantage of. All those long hours, weekends work etc. They don’t care. I am afraid I come across as a nice and polite and well behaved young woman and they think it is enough to give me accolades and it should be enough for me. I feel like such a fool for putting so much in this work.

They do care, hence the increase. If you need to renegotiate your salary or title, that's a different conversation.

Op here. How do I renegotiate my salary and title? Where and how do I start? I have nobody to ask this question irl.

[Anonymous]

What were you expecting?
Is this your first raise? Because most people who have been in the business world for a while know that 2.5 - 3.5% is the average annual increase.
I think want you want is a promotion, but you need to stop whining first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I clearly need to reconcile my feelings but I feel so taken advantage of. All those long hours, weekends work etc. They don’t care. I am afraid I come across as a nice and polite and well behaved young woman and they think it is enough to give me accolades and it should be enough for me. I feel like such a fool for putting so much in this work.

That’s how it goes. I agree that changing jobs is the only way to substantially increase pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I clearly need to reconcile my feelings but I feel so taken advantage of. All those long hours, weekends work etc. They don’t care. I am afraid I come across as a nice and polite and well behaved young woman and they think it is enough to give me accolades and it should be enough for me. I feel like such a fool for putting so much in this work.

They do care, hence the increase. If you need to renegotiate your salary or title, that's a different conversation.

Op here. How do I renegotiate my salary and title? Where and how do I start? I have nobody to ask this question irl.

How old are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I clearly need to reconcile my feelings but I feel so taken advantage of. All those long hours, weekends work etc. They don’t care. I am afraid I come across as a nice and polite and well behaved young woman and they think it is enough to give me accolades and it should be enough for me. I feel like such a fool for putting so much in this work.

TROLL.

[Anonymous]

I hate to tell you this, but you must be new to the workforce. A 5% increase is a good increase. If you expect more, then what you're looking for is a promotion. It was very easy to do a quick Google search to see the average salary increase for 2024 and is 4%. So your 5% indicates that they value you as you got a higher than average increase. Rather than being upset, you should be pleased. However, if you wanna make a lot more money, the only way to do it is to either get another job or to see what you need to do to get a promotion. That could be part of your performance discussion with your boss. Which should've happened when they gave you the 5% increase.

https://www.google.com/search?q=average+salary+increase+2024&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I clearly need to reconcile my feelings but I feel so taken advantage of. All those long hours, weekends work etc. They don’t care. I am afraid I come across as a nice and polite and well behaved young woman and they think it is enough to give me accolades and it should be enough for me. I feel like such a fool for putting so much in this work.

TROLL.

That’s not a troll indicator. It happens to a lot of young women in particular.

[Anonymous]

Sharon Stone?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I wish I was a troll here. The “best” or “worst” in all of it is that the person who delivered the news is not my boss. It is a Practice Leader - I spoke with this person maybe like twice last year. It was beyond clear that this person had no idea what I do in my daily work.

[Anonymous]

5% is a great annual raise, as others said. Advocate for a promotion — find out the standards for the level above you and document how you have met those standards consistently for the past 6-12 months. With a title promotion, you will be able to search for jobs that pay significantly more or if you stay at the same company, you should see a salary adjustment at the next annual review that brings you in line with the new title.

[Anonymous]

You need to vote with your feet. You take the new skills and experience you've acquired covering for an employee above you who left and update your resume. You get a good offer and then you give notice. If st that point you're psyched about the new opportunity, you leave. If you're so-so about leaving you hope they'll counter and if they do you ask for precisely what you want--know what title you want and what salary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage is $5k?

OP here. It is a 5% increase. My salary was 100k and now it is 105k. For the past 6 months, I have been replacing a colleague who is 3 levels above me. This colleague is not with the company anymore and the expectation is I will be doing is job going forward. I only get accolades. My review was assessed as “above expectations” I am a woman - is it okay to advocate for myself?

This sucks!!

My husband got zero increase. I am "exceeding expectations" (highest performance category) and got 3%. I think this is actually normal these days. However, since you are obviously junior making only 105k, I'd raise it to your boss - expect her to be able to do nothing - and start job hopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What percentage is $5k?

OP here. It is a 5% increase. My salary was 100k and now it is 105k. For the past 6 months, I have been replacing a colleague who is 3 levels above me. This colleague is not with the company anymore and the expectation is I will be doing is job going forward. I only get accolades. My review was assessed as “above expectations” I am a woman - is it okay to advocate for myself?

This sucks!!

My husband got zero increase. I am "exceeding expectations" (highest performance category) and got 3%. I think this is actually normal these days. However, since you are obviously junior making only 105k, I'd raise it to your boss - expect her to be able to do nothing - and start job hopping.

Yes, if you're pretty junior the only meaningful way to advance is to leave. They can woo you back later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wish I was a troll here. The “best” or “worst” in all of it is that the person who delivered the news is not my boss. It is a Practice Leader - I spoke with this person maybe like twice last year. It was beyond clear that this person had no idea what I do in my daily work.

Do not feel bad for not knowing how to do this. Salary negotiation and renegotiation are things that are not directly taught, especially to females. It's perfectly fine to ask here, or even whine and vent here. It's DCUM, not a job board or social media that can be traced back to you personally.

Schedule one on one time with your boss. Get all of your facts in place, listed out so you don't get nervous and forget or overlook something. Bring figures to the table about what work you have absorbed, turn around time, service details, etc. You have to show how you are performing as a manager vs an associate (just an example), or how you've absorbed multiple jobs, and are performing them in an exemplary manner. It's difficult to give specifics without knowing your role/industry, but presenting metrics in a level headed, direct, non-emotional matter is the best approach. The worst that can happen is they turn you down, and even then, at least you've planted the seed. If the conversation goes well tell him/her your goals for the next year, and how those goals directly contribute to the department goals and bottom line. Alternatively this may lead to you being considered for other positions or promotions. There are many avenues to explore.