No raise after 2nd child

[Anonymous]

Next week my boss will be back to work after 2 months on maternity leave, and I will be home with newborn and toddler. I never mentioned about a raise in my salary because I thought they would approach me to discuss it, but they never did so this past weekend I sent them an email asking them if they have talked about it.

MB answered my email very surprised saying they were not planning to raise my salary, because the toddler would be starting preschool in the fall. And here I am, with no idea on how to respond it. I love the family and the girls, but after 3 years making 15 dollars an hour, I think I am entitled to earn a new rate. How do I answer her without being rude? I am just the worst kind of person in terms of standing my ground and being firm. I know I need to get better with that, but it is almost like I am afraid to answer the email saying I can't keep working for the same hourly rate. Even though the 2 yo girl will be in school M-F 9-12, what would be a fair raise to ask them? TIA

[Anonymous]

Are you prepared to look for a new job? Because anyone who would employ you for three years with no raise, and then say "no" when approached about one directly, is not likely to be swayed by a well-phrased email. In fact, they are likely to claim poverty b/c of the new baby.

I encourage you to start a job search now. After you have gone on an interview or two, you will feel much more confident about asking for the raise, because it won't matter if you get it; you'll know you can move on.

But, to answer your question, you have excellent wording here:

"I love [your] family and the girls, but after 3 years making 15 dollars an hour, I think I am entitled to earn a new rate. ... I can't keep working for the same hourly rate."

At this point, you should receive at least $17/hr, which is the least I would imagine someone agreeing to start this job would take.

[Anonymous]

Please reconsider. I have worked for you for three years and have not gotten a raise in that entire time period. DD1 will only be at school for three hours a day, but I will be with her and DD2 for five hours a day together. If you look at salaries in this area for someone with the X number of years experience I have, who has worked for you for three years and is now watching two children, you will notice as I do, that the average salary is more 18-20 an hour. Thank you for considering this.

And then be prepared to find a new job.

[Anonymous]

that is crazy you need to look for another job.. but keep this one and when you find one that pays more.. say goodbye.. Will never work for someone for three years and no raise, and than they add another child. so what if that child goes to preschool from 9-12 what happens when that child comes home? Is mom going to come home and watch her child..

[Anonymous]

Mistake no. 1 was working three years without a raise. Look for a new on because you should have had a $1/hr raise every year. Two kids, $20/hr. Stop being a chump.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please reconsider. I have worked for you for three years and have not gotten a raise in that entire time period. DD1 will only be at school for three hours a day, but I will be with her and DD2 for five hours a day together. If you look at salaries in this area for someone with the X number of years experience I have, who has worked for you for three years and is now watching two children, you will notice as I do, that the average salary is more 18-20 an hour. Thank you for considering this.

And then be prepared to find a new job.

Also, no raise for three years is a valid reason for quitting and applying for unemployment.

No matter what, your relationship is forever changed and not for the good. Look for another job and only give them minimum notice. You owe these cheap cretins nothing.

[Anonymous]

I'd look for a new job. You shouldn't have had to approach her about this, and it's rude and manipulative of MB respond to your approach by acting like you're only asking for a raise because you'll be with 2 kids full time -- annual increases and adding another kid part time are completely legitimate reasons to expect a raise.

[Anonymous]

You need to find another job, OP. Start looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please reconsider. I have worked for you for three years and have not gotten a raise in that entire time period. DD1 will only be at school for three hours a day, but I will be with her and DD2 for five hours a day together. If you look at salaries in this area for someone with the X number of years experience I have, who has worked for you for three years and is now watching two children, you will notice as I do, that the average salary is more 18-20 an hour. Thank you for considering this.

And then be prepared to find a new job.

Also, no raise for three years is a valid reason for quitting and applying for unemployment.

No matter what, your relationship is forever changed and not for the good. Look for another job and only give them minimum notice. You owe these cheap cretins nothing.

I assume you mean this rhetorically, because she would not qualify for unemployment if she quit for this reason. Don't do that, OP. Find a new job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please reconsider. I have worked for you for three years and have not gotten a raise in that entire time period. DD1 will only be at school for three hours a day, but I will be with her and DD2 for five hours a day together. If you look at salaries in this area for someone with the X number of years experience I have, who has worked for you for three years and is now watching two children, you will notice as I do, that the average salary is more 18-20 an hour. Thank you for considering this.

And then be prepared to find a new job.

Also, no raise for three years is a valid reason for quitting and applying for unemployment.

No matter what, your relationship is forever changed and not for the good. Look for another job and only give them minimum notice. You owe these cheap cretins nothing.

I assume you mean this rhetorically, because she would not qualify for unemployment if she quit for this reason. Don't do that, OP. Find a new job.

This is not necessarily true as there are valid reasons for quitting a job and not receiving a raise for three years is a valid reason. Also, OP can quit, take another job for 30 days, and then apply for unemployment and former employer cannot stop her getting unemployment. I worked for Unemployment Commission many years ago.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you can make $16/Hour w/just the infant while toddler is attending preschool, then make $18/Hour while caring for them both.

[Anonymous]

And if they cannot even do this at a minimum, then be prepared to either be let go or give them your notice.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please reconsider. I have worked for you for three years and have not gotten a raise in that entire time period. DD1 will only be at school for three hours a day, but I will be with her and DD2 for five hours a day together. If you look at salaries in this area for someone with the X number of years experience I have, who has worked for you for three years and is now watching two children, you will notice as I do, that the average salary is more 18-20 an hour. Thank you for considering this.

And then be prepared to find a new job.

Also, no raise for three years is a valid reason for quitting and applying for unemployment.

No matter what, your relationship is forever changed and not for the good. Look for another job and only give them minimum notice. You owe these cheap cretins nothing.

I assume you mean this rhetorically, because she would not qualify for unemployment if she quit for this reason. Don't do that, OP. Find a new job.

This is not necessarily true as there are valid reasons for quitting a job and not receiving a raise for three years is a valid reason. Also, OP can quit, take another job for 30 days, and then apply for unemployment and former employer cannot stop her getting unemployment. I worked for Unemployment Commission many years ago.

Hi I'm a lawyer and you're so very wrong

[Anonymous]

Hi, lawyer. I am not wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi, lawyer. I am not wrong.

The only valid reasons for quitting and qualifying for unemployment is if the material circumstances of a job change so significantly that it is essentially a different job AND the employee is unable to meet the new requirements. So, a full time job becomes part time, or the hours change to overnight, or something like that. She's making better than minimum wage; there is no law requiring any raises ever, even for cost of living.