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How to prioritize professional groups?
My company does not reimburse for professional memberships unless they are directly related to our core business (ie they will lead to sales of our products). I am in a support role that requires industry certifications which are administered by these groups (they provide the continuing ed to maintain) When I joined the company 5 years ago, part of my employment offer was that they would pay for 2 memberships to industry groups I was already involved with, that has since been rescinded. My boss and HR have been no help.
I have already spoken to my boss and my HR rep and neither can do anything. Any other suggestions?
Barb Hansen
Startup Product, Growth & Strategy
6.67k
09/09/20 at 3:34PM UTC
It's crappy that those membership reimbursements have been rescinded.
Your company may not want to pay for everyone's memberships and if that is true you might be able to negotiate a personal bonus that offset those costs (bonus structure, additional vacation time, flex days)
Anonymous
09/09/20 at 3:25PM UTC
Hate to see that part of an offer was rescinded. Especially when, if the roles were reversed, they'd hold you to any line item in an offer! I agree with the comments above and I'm glad the new boss is helping you in moving the needle!
Sarah Stadtherr
598
09/09/20 at 2:37PM UTC
It might help to do a cost comparison for what they'd pay if you were enrolled and what it would cost for the Company NOT to be in compliance - ie: fines, etc. My company pays for my Notary renewal and Errors and Omissions insurance so that I can notarize many documents which are contract related. It really is to the Company's benefit and it probably a very small drop in the bucket for them to pay for it. There's absolutely NO reason for them to be acting so short sighted.
Lisa Mountain ThompsonHR & Wellbeing Consultant in Kent
86
09/09/20 at 1:56PM UTC
If your profession requires that you have these memberships and you would be non-compliant without them, then that is a good reason for your employer to pay (or part-fund) them. The key is to show the benefit of being a member to your company. Let them know the resources that you would be gaining which would have a direct positive impact on your role and work. Companies need to see return on investment, so think of it as putting together the business case for them to spend the money. If you still have the paperwork that shows it was part of your employment offer, then include that as well.
Anonymous
09/09/20 at 2:05PM UTC
Thanks, we have new ownership since I started and I reviewed with my boss (who was my boss when I was hired) that this was part of my offer and he talked to HR, then I talked to HR and explained I need these certifications to do my job and get the industry information to do the best job for my company. The job posting I applied to and the job description neglect to list these certifications but they are needed in my state to perform some of my functions. They both talked to the 2 owners who said it goes against company policy, if they do it for me they have to do it for everyone.
Ruzana GlaeserCo-founder of brightmeetsbrave.com
950
09/09/20 at 2:32PM UTC
I am sorry you are going through it, it's super frustrating. First of all, it's such BS "if they do it for you they have to do it for everyone", and I say that because everybody's compensation is different. Any chance you can make this as part of your compensation discussion? Also, when you do have a conversation with your boss, I would phrase it as that is part of the compensation that is important to you. And then ask 'what are other options to go about this' and wait! Let your boss come back with some answers.
User deleted comment on 09/09/20 at 2:37PM UTC
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