I've been working for a company for 5 year in a muliple skilled position, that includes sales, copy writing, marketing, it, operations, shipping and customer service.

18 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 5:21PM UTC

   Have you received any increase of pay since you have been with company for these 5 years?
   Has your responsibilities increased since you have started? Have you contributed to rhe company in a way that can be documented to show how you have added continuous value up until now? I'm asking these questions as they can help you answer the questions that your manager may have and want to be answered. Once you bring it up so you can be proactive in answering those potential questions by creating a presentation to showcase how you are deserving of the pay increase.

   As I feel, well from what I have seen, from others, like you, who have been in this unfortunate and justly irritating situation. The advice given by others in response is commonly, "how can you show your manager that you are deserving of a pay increase outside of "well the new people are being paid the same as me, a tenured employee." When I have seen replies along those lines. It comes across as an indirect way of saying that, unfortunately being a tenured employee isn't enough reason to get an automatic pay increase when it's revealed newcomers are being paid the same. Although it should! Your years working for the company, especially the past 2 years should be worth more than a simple, "pat-on-the-back" to signal a job well done.

   All in all, you are more than deserving of raising this with your manager but it would be best to be prepared with showing documentation on how you are deserving of being paid more than the newcomers who are doing the same as you with your responsibilities and make that the forefront of your argument.

2. Kate SealeyMarch 8,2023 at 5:38PM UTC

   thank you for sharing your thoughts and giving me some action items

3. AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 6:53PM UTC

   My pleasure and truly hope it goes well for you.

   Please don't hesitate to update us on how it goes. Rooting for you!

   Also sorry for the typos in my initial reply. I really need to calm down my stream of thought when I'm passionately replying to posts, lol.

4. AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 5:38PM UTC

   We often automatically think we can align wages with different positions in the same company. I think that lends itself to a bias that warrants caution. Your list of duties does seem long without any areas of specialties to focus on. Not sure how a company can grow without taking some of that off of your plate either. Yes, I believe it needs addressed but how about not compare yourself to someone else but to focus on what you are currently responsible and accountable for. Good luck.

5. Kate SealeyMarch 8,2023 at 7:32PM UTC

   thank you for sharing your perspective on bias and focus, makes a lot of sense

6. AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 11:37PM UTC

   You are welcome. Also, I do believe you need to address your worth, their ROI other positions on you has saved them a lot of money, for sure.

7. AnonymousMarch 8,2023 at 9:50PM UTC

   You should always know your value and only work for that value.

8. Jennie MontañoMarch 8,2023 at 11:27PM UTC

   It’s unfortunate that new hires get bigger ”raises” versus existing employees but it’s definitely a sign of the market.

   many of us prefer staying in one company but the reality is that moving around will get you higher wages and promotions faster.

   Until companies start seeing that the best way to prevent attrition is to give bigger raises the best way to advocate for yourself is to look for new opportunities outside your company every few years

9. AnonymousMarch 9,2023 at 11:56AM UTC

   You can certainly bring up compensation but you have been in your job 5 years so that will begin to drag your career down. I would start looking for promotion opportunities and up-skill to stay competitive and attract interest both inside and outside your company. Staying at one company is great for comfort and safety but you will fall behind in $

10. AnonymousMarch 9,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

    Unfortunately, this happens all the time. New hires come in at a "market value," while existing employees get percentage raises based on the cost of living and performance factors. Very often, the market rate rises faster than the cost of living, at least it did when I had a career in IT, but I suspect other industries experience it as well. This has nothing to do with you, your performance, or your worth to the company, only what the job market is doing at the current time. Please do not discount your value to the company as a person with five years tenure.

    As others have said, the best way to keep up with "market" value is to continue to increase your knowledge and position within the company. Rather than asking for a raise, it might look better to ask what it would take to move up to a job description with more responsibility, status, and earning power. This shows you have loyalty, and have the company's interest in mind. When asking for more money, it always helps to let the company know what they will get for the investment into your future.

11. AnonymousMarch 9,2023 at 8:55PM UTC

    Why do we need to know everyone's salary? What about pay being confidential unless you are in a union - then it is open game. I am sure there are people coming in now and may be making more than me, I have to be good with where I am and how I reach out for my own pay and increase. I am unsure why we all think no one should make more than we do. Each person comes in with their own qualifications and the job market changes. People are now getting sign on bonus, I did not get one when I was hired - it is part of the date/time of hire and so much more.

12. Daniela IancuMarch 12,2023 at 6:36PM UTC

    Striving for equity

13. AnonymousMarch 10,2023 at 2:40PM UTC

    I agree it is upsetting to find that a “new” person makes the same amount as you. I feel the same knowing my 26 year old son is making almost my salary. He’s got 4 years experience. I have 35. The new pandemic economy, inflation, COLA, supply and demand of workers all figure into starting salaries. Sadly that leaves us feeling left behind. I guess the only way to fix it is to ask for a raise (assuming you deserve it) or to negotiate a higher salary when you start your new position.

14. Rhonda RoyalMarch 11,2023 at 3:34PM UTC

    Mgmt. hates it when employees speak about wages, but they have every right to do this. Please go to your Mgr. and say what your 'worth' to the comp./position is and and ask for more. Be ready to show for the past 2-3 years that you've showed nothing but hard work, good work attitude and attendance, etc. Be patient and give them a chance but if you don't receive more money, better benefits, better work schedule, and of course more money before long, you may want to consider "Moving Along". Good Luck to you!

15. AnonymousMarch 13,2023 at 1:07PM UTC

    No, management does not "hate" it when employees speak about wages. We are often just as frustrated, if not more so than the employees. We know who the good employees are and would love to have the control to raise their pay to what they, and often we, think they are worth. Unfortunately that is not how it works. Please stop trying to make "Mgmt" into some evil beast that doesn't care about the people they work with.

16. Mare LevineMarch 12,2023 at 4:40AM UTC

    I would suggest that the first thing you do is update your resume. Then make an appointment to speak to your boss. Many bad managers will take advantage of talented people for as long as those people will tolerate it. A good manager would reward your loyalty and hard work to retain your talent no matter if you asked for a raise or failed to. You clearly don't have that here.

    Don't give the 'Squirrel--benefits' a second thought. Other jobs with benefits are out there. Start looking at the jobs you're interested in, and I suggest setting up automatic emails or texts from your favorite job aggregators so you can realistically see what's out there (I use FairyGodBoss and LinkedIn). You can use GlassDoor to look at the salary range for your job, or put the following in Google or your favorite search engine: Salary for [position title] in [area] and look at the results. You can use this information in your conversation with your boss. Remember to stick to facts and do the best you can to keep emotion out of it.

    No matter the outcome, you should always have an exit strategy. Even the best company with the best boss could be bought out, or move a department offshore, etc. We insure our cars and homes, so don't forget to insure your all-important job by creating a Plan B. Use connections made at conferences, union meetings, professional organizations, chamber of commerce, LinkedIn and Facebook groups related to your area of study.

    What about certifications or additional training? If you're possibly heading back to the job market, make sure you're as prepared as possible. Also, get a trusted friend or family member to look over your resume so you use an active voice rather than the passive one. Consider whether a life coach or therapist might be available. Coaching is an available benefit at some companies. You don't have to settle for crumbs--you are worthwhile!

17. AnonymousMarch 12,2023 at 1:41PM UTC

    New Manager here and I can say it triggers me as well seeing people to do a great job do not get paid more but unfortunately it is not as easy as you may think.

    At the time you got hired your position was posted at a certain level, and you received a compensation equal to the wage for the role as well as your own background and knowledge in the field.

    The past few years there has been a shortage of workers in a lot of fields and as a result the starting salary is a lot higher, coupled that with knowledge and expertise in the role the new employee ends up with more.

    Your best bet is to look outside of the company in order to make more. Your employer now will have to mark you as an exemplary employee with top marks to get you the pay bump. In order to do that however they will have to have proof of your exemplary work aka e-Mails or any other recognition by other teams etc.

    I see it in my own field in order to started off in my career and be considered a candidate for the role I had to be top 10% of my class to even apply. Now with the shortages there are no such guidelines and what comes through the door now is far from quality worker, but with the short staffing beggars can’t be choosers.

18. Jenniffer E.March 13,2023 at 7:52PM UTC

    I am a firm believer that one should not stay in the same position for more than 5 years. That's it, that's the limit for me, but that's just me! I know lots of people that stay in the same position for 10, 20 or 30 years and I do commend them for staying the course. As we all know some companies reward loyalty and it's a wonderful thing. However, for many companies loyalty isn't rewarded. If this is triggering you now then it will trigger you later. If I were you I would update my resume and plan to speak with my manger/director to see if it's possible to obtain a pay increase. Yes as others in this post have already advised you, be prepared to state your case with attendance records, project reports, samples of marketing projects and campaigns etc. Ultimately, if you don't get that pay increase you should consider preparing to leave your company for a better paying position. Don't quit your job right away, don't get discouraged, stay strong, and prepare youself. Nevertheless know that unless your manager gives you that pay increase that trigger will always be there and it can lead to unhealthy stinking thinking. You sound like you have many skills to offer another company, don't be afraid to put youself out there. Best of luck to you!