Pressuring your manager to give you higher pay may not work.
The story of my close friend, L
A close friend, L who’s managing a few people in a medical institution told me this conversation a few years ago.
L’s staff said, “I am not satisfied with my increment. How can you help me? The company did not keep its promise. How am I supposed to live with a small increment?”
Has any of your staffs asked you this question before? Over the past 19 years, I think I have this question asked to me a few times. Truth is, the manager does not have a lot to say. The decision lies with the management and many times, this is the reason why the employee would soon resign (if the employee is indeed very capable) or the employee would soon become toxic to the company (if the employee is not able to get another company to recognise his / her capability).
Coming back to my close friend L’s case. His staff’s salary is already at the ceiling of the salary range for her job grade. She needs to get a promotion to the next grade before she can get higher pay. Obviously, she is trying her luck since my friend is her latest manager.
I asked L if she is hardworking? L said NO and she is very lazy too. I asked if she volunteers to help other peers. L said NO and as much as possible, she will try not to take up anything extra to do. I guess everyone now has an answer. These are the people that I really hate and if I have my way, I would not want to be her colleague in the near future. (Yes, politely ask her to change job)
My personal experience
I worked very closely with the HR people for 15 years in one of my earlier roles. I can safely say that performers does not need to negotiate too much with the boss. If we helped the company to earn new businesses because we are capable and the company does not respond positively, it’s time to give our skills to another one which would appreciate it more. I have personally ‘requested’ super politely and company responded quickly a few times. Haha. Yes, I was considered a top performer, so it’s either they try to keep me or I have to show them others may appreciate me too.
All the top performers better be looked after
The top sales people in the company DEFINITELY needs to be treated differently. The best PROGRAMMER better be provided with a special pay package because if he resigns, his work may need 3-4 programmers to do. There’s even a company which provides its best R&D engineers with a bonus of 6 months if they were to stay for 2 years.
Seriously, if these great people leave, the cost to rehire is going to be high and the cost of NOT having them working is even higher. Imagine just 3 months without your best sales person, programmer and R&D engineer.
Working for salary is unfortunately not enough these days
By the way, careers aside, remember to invest your earnings. Needless to say, if we have children, it’s good to aim to be able to provide for them more. As for changing your job, for the younger ones, choose a job which allows you to move UP in role and responsibilities. If we are underpaid for our role and responsibilities, we will soon be paid well. If we are overpaid for our role and responsibilities, we will be the first to be retrenched and will not be able to get back the same salary because we actually do not possess the skills. Jobs are aplenty yeah. The below list is as per 12 March 2022.
All the best everyone.
first written on 23 July 2017. Updated 12 March 2022
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