Deadend job?

Anonymous

June 25,2023 at 11:26AM UTC

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Deadend job? I support 3 VPs as their EA, I work for a large organization. I just found out that we are in one of the lowest paybands. We cannot earn anymore vacation unless we change paybands.

I was told her salary was "X" because of our industry was hit severely from COVID-19. When there industry recovers, our salary would too.

Typically, I have found that EAs are in a management salary range. Mainly as you're working on confidential information and you're often representing your leader.

We are more skilled, and have a greater workload than higher paybands. We are forever picking up the pieces of the higher paybands. We even direct and lead the higher paybands on their tasks. We step in and significantly make our company a success.

Our bosses are oblivious to what payband we are in. I don't want to leave, I love our company.

I'm going to present my direct leader a one page document to support our change of band for pay and the "why".

What would you do? How would you approach this?

Advice is most welcome:)

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AnonymousJune 25,2023 at 12:11PM UTC
I'd start looking for other opportunities either within the organization or outside of it.
Bring to the table YOUR accomplishments and research of compensation of EAs in your area.
If they are still using Covid as a platform for salaries - move on. I'm sorry, but Covid is no longer a viable explanation as it once was
AnonymousJune 25,2023 at 12:52PM UTC
Researching the salaries of comparable positions in comparable organizations would also help.
AnonymousJune 25,2023 at 12:51PM UTC
Have you talked to the other EAs? If you all work together you'll have better results. If you stick your neck out without support from others, you may wind up with a target on your back. Trust me on this! I wound up in a world of hurt after advocating for myself with a boss who had zero interest in making life better for the people under her.
AnonymousJune 25,2023 at 2:09PM UTC
A few years back, when it was time for a review and a pay raise, I met with our managing partner AND another attorney in the firm who I totally trusted (and I knew he would have my back) as a witness to what I was saying. I explained I had to train the two new legal secretaries being brought in, with skills they should have already known as “experienced” legal secretaries (how to paginate pages, how to run a Table of Authorities and a Table of Contents - critical for a law firm) and that they were making significantly high pay than I was. I wanted to be paid the same as they were, at the very least. Because I had everything documented, I received the high pay grade immediately. Document, document, document.
Otherwise, start looking for a better position!
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 4:11AM UTC
I believe in research and laying out the facts in a compelling way.
But I also believe in accepting reality and the power imbalance. Much of the time this is ultimately what you are faced with. There is no rational reason you are in the lowest pay band. The more powerful must be paid and the more they can save by not paying others the more they will be paid. It's called a food chain for a reason.
Give it your best shot to position your argument as one that highlights how much harder the VPs lives will be without your support. If you can make your argument personal, you may see some change. Otherwise, it will just be a response of excuses.
Valerie RiegerJune 26,2023 at 12:31PM UTC
What does the salary data for your industry and location say? You'll have better results if you've done your homework and can speak to data.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 12:34PM UTC
Your basing your findings based on what somebody said.. can you verify that information?
Katie HendricksonJune 26,2023 at 12:58PM UTC
I have been in this same situation. Glassdoor is really helpful on finding comparable salary info based on location, industry, and experience. I was able to use it to negotiate a raise for myself recently, when I priced I was making $10k under fair market value for my work.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 1:11PM UTC
I feel your pain as a hard working EA. When you present your document have lots of facts/data to prove your ask. Good luck and please keep us posted on your results.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 1:27PM UTC
Thank you, I will keep you all posted.
I have my research together, but not ready to present. I'm going to test the water casually today.
Our CEOs admin confirmed our payband in a group chat, as she hired us all.
Thank you all for your comments, really appreciate it.
Bonny FilandrinoJune 26,2023 at 1:58PM UTC
I suggested years ago to change the EA job title to "Executive administrative business partner " and to change salary bands according. Good luck!
AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 1:53AM UTC
I love the title suggestion, thank you ?
Coach Nancie Kay ShumanJune 26,2023 at 3:32PM UTC
So the issue is that salaries for Executive Assistants are all over the board, as is the title. Most companies I worked for in the past, including a few Fortune 500's, considered anyone not working for an EVP or above to be and Administrative Assistant, not an Executive Assistant. Additionally, much will depend on the level of executive you are supporting, the industry and the company size. When you prepare to have the conversation, not only look at salaries within the industry, also compare the salaries of industries which are adjacent to yours, and companies which you work with, if possible. Additionally, look at what is "normal" within working environments. Most companies give you an additional weeks vacation (5 days PTO) after 5 years.
And finally, start getting numbers together regarding the contribution made to the companies success as part of the argument about why the change reflects the hard work you do to support the company to keep their doors open and growing. That might be the biggest selling point.
Good luck!
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 5:48PM UTC
So something similiar happened to me. I also went to salary.com and put in my information and it gave me higher number. I also went to our State's Department of Labor to get a list of those pay rates. I also printed up job ads that had similar duties that paid more. With the additional work that I was doing (not in my job description) and the aforementioned research, I was able to get better pay.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 5:54PM UTC
Could you clarify who are the 'we' and 'our' you are referring to? Is it other EAs? If you believe you have a solid case, provide it to your boss, with evidence, or directly to HR.
AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 1:51AM UTC
We are the Snr Admins
The EAs are in a management band.
They are not any more skilled or tenured in experience than we (Snr Admins) as we step in for them, coach and mentor them.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 6:49PM UTC
I would first do some research on the EA salaries in your area. You can look this up online. You can also ask your HR person if they have pay structure and salary band information for your area. Second, I would compile a list of top things that you do or have improved recently that have had a positive impact on your company. I would not go to top execs with “we do more work” or anything similar. That may be seen as offensive to executives whose experience and education have put them in that position. There are plenty of example of industries where non executives or professionals do more actual work than the higher ups, but that does not mean they get paid more. Focus on facts and numbers and you will have more success than focusing on emotion or perceived work comparisons.
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
I feel the same way, sorta in the same boat - was an Office Manager for 5+ years, could never get out of the pay band. Companies think* OMs, OCs, EAs, AAs all do nothing when it's the literal opposite. Like you said, we pick up the pieces, and make all the magic happen behind the scenes. Perhaps it stems from the ingrained sexism - it has historically been women in these types of roles, supporting mainly men, and maybe it was a way to keep women earning lower salaries than men, and while times have changed, "industry standards" have not. Before anyone comes for my neck, these are my own opinion and thoughts, nothing else.
I'm sorry I don't have any actual advice for you!
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 2:57PM UTC
Are you coming from Europe? EAs in the US are banded very differently for those in Europe.
AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 1:48AM UTC
No I moved from Europe a few decades ago and know what you mean. No this is a like for like at the same company
Titra HamiltonJune 27,2023 at 4:28PM UTC
I worked in "Big Consulting" and saw how workforce types and salary bands get used to add granularity to the salaries to drive costs down. My suggestion would be to compare your official position description to the actual duties that you perform. If you are consistently completing tasks above your official position and doing them well, then write up a business case, especially if the work you do is typically done by another role in the company that gets paid a higher salary. Your work is essentially saving the company money. In your business case, reiterate that you enjoy working for the company and emphasize how you are delivering value for which you want to be compensated. I added this because you do not want to be perceived as a troublemaker. Lastly, and most importantly, do you have executives who can advocate for you? A role of Human Resources is to get the best resources at the lowest cost, so for this, depending on your corporate culture, they may not advocate for you. You will have a better chance if executives advocate for you. They will be the ones to approve the salary increases anyway. If there is an executive whom you trust, run your ideas past him/her first and ask for his/her advice as to how best to proceed. Good luck to you.