I have my end-of-year meeting with my boss tomorrow.

Anonymous

October 18,2022 at 6:19PM UTC

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I have my end-of-year meeting with my boss tomorrow. I’ve been with the company almost 15 years and have only received cost of living wage increases—2-3 %—though I was recently added to the pool of employees eligible for a modest bonus. My impression is that any wage increase/bonus will have been decided by the time we talk. While I included my desire for more compensation in my HR-driven end-of-year worksheet (with reasons why I deserve it) — there’s been no discussion of it. If I’m disappointed — how do I communicate that without sounding like an ungrateful jerk? I believe my boss is on my side and is likely limited in what she can do—but that’s no way to get a deserved raise. I want to think/behave like a dude.

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AnonymousOctober 18,2022 at 7:32PM UTC
I have had bosses who I felt were "on my side" but never actually accomplished anything because I wasn't important enough for them to spend their political capital. I have an amazing boss now and she will work it until she gets what her employees need (be it raises or new computers). This doesn't apply to every workplace - sometimes there truly is no leeway, but I think a lot of good-intentioned managers are just ineffective at advocating for their staff.
Tell her you're very disappointed with the decision this year and request actionable, measurable steps you need to take to qualify for a raise and the earliest timeline that might happen. Get it in writing, work it, document as you go, and request regular meetings (monthly, every other month, or quarterly at least) to benchmark how well you're meeting those goals or where you need to course correct.
Good luck!
AnonymousOctober 19,2022 at 12:01AM UTC
May I ask what company this is? Good managers are extremely difficult to find!
Barb HansenOctober 18,2022 at 11:51PM UTC
You are not being a jerk for asking for the raise that you feel you deserve.
Managers expect their employees to ask for raises, and if your manager doesn't expect it, they are not a good manager.
If your manager's hands are tied, she should have communicated that with you. The fact that your request for a raise/bonus was not mentioned during your year end review and you're left wondering the reasons why is not good management.
How do you communicate what you want?
Set a meeting with you manager to discuss your desired raise/bonus. Say that in the meeting request. "Dear Sally, I'm setting some time on your calendar to discuss my desired wage increase or the implementation (or change) in my bonus structure. "
During that meeting:
-present what you want
-list the reasons why
-then be quiet - let your manager talk. Don't say anything about your assumptions that your manager's hands are tied. Let her tell you what's going on.
Then be prepared to negotiate. As in, have options ready:
- if your company isn't giving out raise increases, ask why and then:
-- ask for more bonus (if you have an existing bonus structure) or ask to build a quarterly or annual bonus program that's based on your output
-- if no bonuses or additional raises are being handed out this year, ask for additional benefits (5/4 schedule without adding more hours to your work day, more vacation time, more educational benefits)
If no bonuses or additional raises are being handed out this year and you can't negotiate additional benefits, then ask when raises will be reinstated AND ask what you need to do to be considered for a raise/bonus. If she tells you things you can do to be considered for a raise/bonus next year, create and follow that plan and set a meeting in 6 months to check your progress against that plan.
Follow up your meeting with an email back to her with everything that was discussed.
Good luck!
BrendaOctober 19,2022 at 12:39PM UTC
time on the job doesnt always equate to more pay or more than cola raises. what have you done to set yourself apart? improve the bottom line? those things matter when mgmt is dividing up the resources.