Just vent - pay increase

[Anonymous]

Well, just spoke to my supervisor about raise/promotion I've asked last week.
According to my boss - HR turned it down, my pay range is within average for my experience/qualification, so they didn't see any merit to increase it.
I have been working hard over last 3 month, eg 50-60 hours/week hard, sometimes I just felt I'd collapse @my desk due to all stress of the work place.
Never really complained about work condition, hoping for good performance review and possible pay increase. Boy, I was wrong.
I was told that that I didn't work above and beyond my position description.
For some reason - I feel humiliated, and slightly paranoid. Other people in the company got substantial rate increases, and bonuses this time around (in 5% - 20% range), and I got meager 2.5%.
Does my boss simply want me out for some reason, and covers it using HR "analysis of current market for my position"?
I work for private company, tends to hire cream de la cream personnel, pays pretty well across the board (well, except me).
When I've started 3 years ago - my salary was in line with market, but now it did fall behind as confirmed by several headhunters I've been talking to lately.

I felt like quitting right away

Just vent, thanks for listening

PS it was first time I ever asked for a rise, previously (with other companies) I've got increases without even asking.
Any suggestions what I should have said to make it right? Or it was a lost cause from the beginning?

[Anonymous]

Well, at least you got 2.5 percent.

Don't quit. Come into work with a fake smile on your face until u get another job. Send out resumes from home.

[Anonymous]

Are you an efficient worker? Or are you working extra hours and struggling because you're having difficulty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you an efficient worker? Or are you working extra hours and struggling because you're having difficulty?

Yes, I'm an effective worker, work load just doubled over last couple of month (new regulations + new ERP system implementation). Whole department is working overtime lately.
Crap, I need a vacation, but it's been cancelled too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, at least you got 2.5 percent.

Don't quit. Come into work with a fake smile on your face until u get another job. Send out resumes from home.

Well, thanks! I'm trying to find something good about this situation, and just can't.
I feel like they did it a bit too personally - I would understand BS about budget, and restriction, and company performance, blah-blah-blah.

But they choose to call me average / easily replaceable (shit, can't find a proper word in English - sorry non-native speaker here), not worthy for the company. Even told me to check around to confirm HR numbers.
Boy it hurts

[Anonymous]

Well, they say that you only really bump up your salary by changing companies. Why kill yourself and cancel your vacation if they only consider you "average". Enjoy your vacation and then find a new job that appreciates what you have to offer.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, OP. I feel for you!

You only mention the past 3 months, which makes me wonder what your work was like prior to this. I wonder if they fear that you have been working hard for 3 months to get a raise but will stop working so hard as soon as you get one. Perhaps they want to see you working like this over a longer period of time?

How does the amount of work you do and time spent compare to others in a similar positions at your company? You say you work 50-60 hours/week, which is a lot, but if everyone is doing this, it doesn't make you stand out. I worked in a similar position in the past and felt that I almost had to work that much just to keep up, not to get ahead.

Maybe this isn't the right position for you. Is it possible to look around for other companies? Do you think you'd get a good recommendation?

[Anonymous]

at least you tried. not a lot of women can say the same. you should be proud of yourself for sticking up for yourself. in mean time, probs start job hunting...but its still a tough market

[Anonymous]

Boy oh boy--- Ive been there and it's awful. I am sorry OP.

Your best bet (and revenge of sorts), is to move along quickly. Start working with a head-hunter asap and get going on leaving.

They are not appreciating your work. Just leave. Go where you are treated how you deserve.

Good luck!!!

[Anonymous]

It's called human resources. To them, you are an expensive sack of meat and when you leave they will replace you just like they do with worn out desk chairs and empty toner cartridges.

Until then, their job is to extract the maximum amount of work from you at the lowest possible cost. The only way for most people to get significant pay increases is to change jobs.

[Anonymous]

OP here
Thank you,
I feel much better today
I won't quite until I find a new job, so - DC job market, here I am
Contacted several headhunters last night, sent out ~10 applications. Hope to get something soon enough

For the PP commenting on workload - it was normal until recently - standard cycle with extra stuff to do on month/quarter/year end, and kind of slow in between. Overall - ~40 work week.
Then new system implementation started without any additional manpower or support. No slow time for us whatsoever. Oh, and only people in the company working longer hours than I am - my boss, and my bosses boss with compensation at least 3x of mine.
Other people @ my pay-grade (other departments though) work standard, quite relaxed 9-5 hours.

[Anonymous]

What kind of work do you do?

Good luck with your job search.

[Anonymous]

DH used to work like you - totally devoted - workhorse.
The he realized he wasn't getting the recognition. Now he "rests and vests." Our quality of life has improved SO much that if he gets a 2% raise rather than 4%, it's worth it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's called human resources. To them, you are an expensive sack of meat and when you leave they will replace you just like they do with worn out desk chairs and empty toner cartridges.

Until then, their job is to extract the maximum amount of work from you at the lowest possible cost. The only way for most people to get significant pay increases is to change jobs.

I wouldn't be surprised if that statement is right, but I also feel if a manager really knows what they are doing, they will fight for their employee.
I also think HR doesn't bother to look at salary ranges on various web sites.

[Anonymous]

Not trying to offend, but is writing and other client communication a big part of your job? I've an employee who does good work but is not a native English speaker. A large part of his job is interacting with clients. He struggles with this and we have to assign part of this communication to others a lot. This brings his value down as an employee, because we have to pick and choose what he's able to take on.

Also, he does sometimes take longer and works slightly more hours than his peers, not sure if this is due to technical skill or communication. Anyway, his peers do make more because they are more efficient and make more money for the company and can handle all communications. That said, he's a good employee and works hard, and I don't feel he's underpaid for what he contributes. Just slightly less than more efficient peers.