need to vent

[kjorg]

Normally I’m content in my job. I have quite a bit of freedom. Nobody looking over my shoulder. I decide what projects need to be done and when. Very casual atmosphere.

2 ½ weeks ago, I mailed a packet over to the powers-that-be. Anticipating an upcoming review, I wrote a letter requesting a raise based on merit and job duties, not just a cost-of-living increase (which by the way, their usual c-o-l raise isn’t even the national average, let alone what it is in California), pointed out the added responsibilities that have been given to me or that I have taken on, included base salary information for those job titles that would fit with what I do (they have never given me a title) from salary.com specifically for our area of the country. I also included two job descriptions that I spent HOURS on between researching how to write one and actually writing it. Did I get a “good job”, “very professional”, anything….? NOPE. The only comment made on the descriptions was that they were upset about the job title I used (I used office administrator). Apparently, they don’t want me to think that I’m any type of management or supervisor (I oversee one employee). But who runs this office on a daily basis? Not them. I don’t get it. Apparently, I should be happy to have a job and to be able to work for them.

I am happy to have a job, but it would be nice to get paid for what I do and for my experience. If I left, they would have to hire a minimum of two people to do what I do, at the very least because of the time it would take to learn everything that I do.

I did get a raise – YEAH !! (but not what I was requesting - Boo) But it is more than their usual cost of living percentage. I am thankful for that, but it’s kind of a catch-22. I’m happy because of the raise, but I’m mad because I still feel very unappreciated.

Think I’m going to start looking around. I’d like to get hired on at a local school system – then I’d have the summers off to help my husband with his business and we wouldn’t have to pay anyone for that. But I guess I’ll have to revise my resume now with a different title since they won’t verify the title I have on it currently.

Thanks all for listening.....

[gee4]

For info, this year I got no pay rise nor cost of living so count yourself very lucky!

G

[geminigirl]

At least you *were* enough to get more than cost-of-living - mine this year was a pitiful 2% (less than c-o-l) which worked out to £1.37 a day before deductions!  

The worst thing, though, as you say was not being recognised for what you do. You could ask them, if you haven't already, what job title they see you as having.  A good catch-all word, I've found, is co-ordinator - try that one on them.  What were they calling the position when you took the job in the first place?  It must be on a contract somewhere ...

If you do decide to look elsewhere, good luck with that!  

[virtuallysorted]

Hi There,

I'm in the UK (so it may be different from the US) but they have to provide you with a job description and title for your work contract.  I'd point out that unless they want you to do EXACTLY what it states on your contract & nothing more, then they should consider revising it....

Did you ever sign one?  If it's only a "casual labour" job (in other words, not covered by a contract) then is there not a state law that you could refer to?

Just a couple of ideas....
C.

[geminigirl]

Of course - my post should have read LUCKY ENOUGH to have received above the c-o-l increase!  Sorry!

[lioness]

Admin positions in the US don't require contracts. Most companies hire on an "at will" basis and don't provide job descriptions, particularly smaller companies. I'd say contracts are reserved for management in large companies (I used to type them up in my company) and consultants.

Lioness, Queen of the Jungle

[kjorg]

I am very thankful for the raise I did get. Please don't misunderstand.

Maybe I'm relying too much on what salary.com says. Even with the raise, I'm still a good $5-10,000 a year under what I should be getting paid. But, as I had mentioned, there is a lot of freedom here..

but, pats on the back would be nice.

btw, no contract ever, no job description ever until I created one a couple months ago.

[tippy]

Wow, I can relate right down to applying at schools for more time off with my teens.  
At the beginning of the year I had a heart to heart with the boss and all I got was a pat on the head and a 3% COL, which was 1% higher than the average here. (mind you with the new units he is now administrating over he got a 30% increase (you know that didn't mean extra work for me of course!?!)  Then a month later the new insurance costs came out and I'm now making less than I was 3 years ago.  Decided it was time to move on.

Good luck with the job search.

[mlm668]

Salary.com is way off in a lot of areas of the country.  I found that in my area what they say is the average salary is more often than not the high end of the pay scale for the average company.  You might get what they say if you worked for a large area or national corporation but not at a smaller local company.  Even with government jobs in this area, their average is at the high end of the pay scale.

Michelle