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I'm not sure what to do about my work situation. I just gave a letter to my bosses asking for more money, since I feel I've been paid too little in the years I've worked there. The problem is that, according to the professional world, I'm underpaid, but in my community, maybe I'm not. It's hard to say for sure, and I don't know what to do. I already said that I won't go back (I'm off in summer) unless I'm paid what I feel I deserve. But my boss thinks that my salary is equivalent to others. I don't want to give all of the details; what's relevant is that there is not one pay scale to look at, and compare myself to.

I also don't feel like my status is equal to the other workers, and I have discussed this with my boss. I'm not sure if it will change or not.

I felt good that I made the decision not to work if I don't get what I asked for (actually, I didn't say a dollar amount but my boss said I had to--he is not the one to make the decisions on salary though) but now I'm not sure if I mean that. If they give me less than I asked for, I might be satisfied, but I'm not sure.

I called my T about this, and she said I could schedule a session to discuss it. First, I guess, is seeing what answer I get as to my salary request. But my boss made me feel stupid or something, for asking. I have so much work I have to do; I have a lot of responsibilities but it's never been made clear what they want my job to be. It's getting frustrating for me. I've been there about 12 years.

I know this is one of my more vague posts, but I can't help it. My T had suggested that I wait until after the wedding to deal with my job issues, but I felt like I had to know what's happening now.

The emotional part of all this is how it's related to my self-esteem. I feel like I'm not important at my job, partly due to my salary, partly due to circumstances. I finally asserted myself, to find that maybe my information was inaccurate about salaries. It's hard to find people that will tell me their salarires, and it's not online. That's what is so hard to deal with. The decision-making about staying in the security of my job or not.

I'm too much in emotional mind right now, and it's causing stomach distress. My T was right to wait until after the wedding, but I didn't listen. I'm going to call someone who might discuss ballpark salaries with me.

It's difficult to provide you with any sort of advice regarding salary without having an idea of where you're located (northern mid-west, south, etc.) and what type of work you do. There are industry standards that need to be taken into account when figuring out if you're paid market rate for your job. Your experience in the position also plays a key role.

For instance, a secretary in the educational industry will be paid a lower salary than someone in the legal industry. The same person in the educational industry may be paid more or less depending on the type of school (i.e. public/private) and level of school (i.e. higher education, high school, middle school, elementary school, preschool) and location (i.e. big city, small town).

Have you received any increases in salary since you began employment? Some industries do not give increases, others give small (2-4%) increases for cost-of-living.

Hiya Wondering -

I think it's good self care that you chose to take a stand and to set a boundary, especially if you are in the position to do without the job. The hard thing I see about that is you are now second-guessing yourself. But this is definitely one of those things that you can't get the answer to before the event occurs, eh? and you won't know if you don't ask. It may open the door for negotations- perhaps for salary; perhaps for job duties; perhasp for other types of comp- time off; first in line for holidays or pre/post holidays off.

As far as feeling not feeling appreciated, I will tell you that in the job I've been at the last 4.5 years, appreciation in the way of pay is sort of a bare minimum. What I mean by that is that I have received a pay increase each year yet I don't feel all that appreciated and yep it affects morale. I go on a rollercoaster regarding how I view my job. I think the worst thing is when I feel I live in a vacumn- work is completed and done yet seldom do I hear about how it was received. The paycheck is all, and actually in the scheme of things, it is barely enough. We have had 3 people leave because of this lack of appreciation and only 1 returned. (pay is decent to good)

I think Nik made some great comments regarding pay scales. There is a website somewhere (I think it is federal) that does provide industry standards and outlooks. I think it is the department of labor's statistics page. Maybe with a bit of research you can find it. I dont think I bookmarked it.

I know how lousy it becomes to work hard and not feel appreciated or recognized for what you do. Some people just are not able to express such. Some do so via pay only. And some are great. Have you considered doing a job search while employed. Sometimes that has given my self-esteem a boost. Sometimes it lets me get a better grasp on what my skills are worth.

I wish you well and hope that at least this affords you a discussion with the appropriate personnel.

smilin

Thanks, Nik and smilin.
Nik: The frustration is that standards aren't, due to financial difficulties, adhered to. But I have gotten a better idea of ballpark figures, as a few people were honest and told me their salaries. I've gotten a small increase, per hour, once. I'm underpaid, but maybe not by as much as I thought I was.

smilin: yeah, it sounds like you know what I'm going through. I am not appreciated, and while I try to do a professional job, I don't even know if anyone cares or not. No one has given me a job description so I do what I feel I should do. I'm committed to my job, but I feel in some sense that I'm being taken advantage of. Maybe I asked for too much money, but I do feel like I deserve more no matter what the financial situation is. I'm still waiting for a response to my request.

IMO: Maybe you could go to your boss with a more defined plan of action. Such as, make a list of all the stuff you do that you feel is part of your job requirements (whether or not the powers that be have defined that). Then list stuff that you have accomplished in your work above and beyond the basic job duties (i.e. helped and indivual student with a major problem, landed a major deal, etc.). Next list stuff you would like to accomplish for the future. Spend time on these lists. It will show your boss that you are committed and deserving and think yourself worthy of the raise. Be specific about how much you think you want, when you want it, and when you should be evaluated for your next raise. Take into accout vacation pay, insurance and other 'perks' of the job. Be realistic.

I'm new to this board, but I have found these strategies to be extremely effective. Good luck. Try to show your boss demonstatively that you are worthy of a pay increase. If you doubt it, so will they. I view all of this as a form of boundry issues. Set your boundries and stick to them. I hope this helps!

sorry if i'm digging too much....digging up old posts is sort of not cool.

i've had the feeling that i'm underpaid too. my boss says that i'm paid what everybody else is paid. problem is, i think i have more experience than they do. another thing that really gets on my nerves is that my boss, the one who sets the raises, actually invites a co-worker/peer over to his house to watch football/baseball games b/c he's a guy, and i'm lucky if i get a "hello, what's up astilbe?" from said boss. one time i asked why i don't get invited and he said it was just a guy thing, that his wife wasn't there either.

????