I have been at my employer for almost 10 years.

Anonymous

March 4,2022 at 2:41AM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

I have been at my employer for almost 10 years. I have only had 2 raises. All of my co workers have had annual raises. But this particular one just received her Activity Director license not even a year ago along with a raise, and she had learned that her co workers (housekeeping) make the same as what she was raised to. Now she was upset cause she feels the housekeepers are beneath her and she should be making more than the housekeepers. The boss favors her all the time and does just about everything she asks and is willing to lose another great employee just so she can keep her. This is why I’ve never discussed my rate of pay. Well, the boss emailed corporate to ask what do they think about giving her another raise. I have seniority and I do my Social Services job plus transporting our residents to their doctor’s appointments. But I can’t finish my in house charting, etc because I’m constantly out of the building. And she says that’s why I haven’t had a raise. I do the very best I can with the little time I have to notate what I need to before I have be a transporter for our residents. Sorry I had to explain the situation before I could ask, what should I do?

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

18 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

18 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousMarch 4,2022 at 3:39AM UTC
Honestly I would leave if you aren’t getting that many raises in 10 years. I had a co worker who always talked about everyone’s pay. I was always told not to talk about pay.
Stacey Hadfield LoweMarch 6,2022 at 6:29PM UTC
I think we SHOULD talk about pay, put pressure on administration to make it fair.
Laura BrowneMarch 4,2022 at 4:54AM UTC
The first step is to do some investigation to find out what the market rate is for your job. I suggest going to salary.com, glassdoor.com, or indeed.com to find ranges. You're looking for external confirmation that the salary is too low for the responsibilities and results that they want.
You'll also want to write down all ways you bring value to the company - how you make or save money. For example, the fact that you transport residents saves them from paying Lyft or Uber drivers or hiring a part-timer person to drive people.
When you feel comfortable, follow the ABCs of asking for a raise:
A - Clearly ask - say I want to talk to you about a salary increase - I believe I deserve a raise based on .....
B - Be Quiet - after you ask, stop talking - don't say it's okay if there's no budget or anything else that could talk your boss out of it
C - Curiosity - if your boss hesitates or says no, be curious and approach it like a problem you need to solve - say, "Can you help me to understand...?"
It's important to respond positively no matter what the answer is. If the boss says no, try to get information about what would need to change. And don't be afraid to hear the word no, because sometimes getting a no today will help you to get a yes in the future.
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachMarch 4,2022 at 4:03PM UTC
It sounds like you are taking on responsibility outside of your assigned role. You could take that angle to have a conversation with her and outline your pay and what you were hired to do, and then talk her through the extra responsibilities you take care of & I think coming with some possible solutions of how you can focus on your job so you can get your in house charting done or possible other solutions to do both.
AnonymousMarch 5,2022 at 1:31PM UTC
The other employee is favored and has someone advocating on her behalf. There is nothing you can do. She is is separate from you.
As for your lack of acknowledgement and wage increases, until you can meet your work responsibilities, there won't be a raise or promotion. You need to work with management to address your lack of time to provide proper notation/charting. Your seniority is not going to provide you leverage in this situation. Charting & notations are are just as important to your responsibilities as transportation. You need to find a way to blend the two duties.
Heather CutlerMarch 5,2022 at 2:11PM UTC
Excellent advice!
Abegail JMarch 6,2022 at 1:49PM UTC
Staying in a position and watching others being rewarded for their efforts can be humiliating especially if you're post a long time.
You have choices too, it may require you doing some deeper reflection on your skills and experience, reboot your CV, book an appointment at your salon and retake control of this situation. The only person who can advocate for you is you. Sounds as if your talents are being ignored and could be useful elsewhere.
Joanna PoeMarch 6,2022 at 2:11PM UTC
If your supervisor indicated that you haven't had a merit increase because of a perceived performance shortfall, and you can document reasons why your duties simply don't permit you the time to finish, then you need to speak with them about the appropriateness of your assigned duties and work out a plan for how to proceed.
That covers merit increases, but what about a cost of living adjustment? That has nothing to do with performance and should be applied across the board. If your company doesn't have that in their policies, maybe it's time to ask them why.
Communication CoachMarch 6,2022 at 2:38PM UTC
Do you have a job description? If not, ask for one or ask to have it updated. Ask your management to have them set your duties with a priority. and go over it with them personally! Since you are spending so much time transporting, you need to talk about how much of your time is to be used doing this task - and get specific with management - if it is in your job description. Consider noting to management that you are going to need some help with the transporting going forward to comply with accomplishing the other duties of your job. I note that you are apologizing for presenting your question on this forum. Is it possible you could be more assertive? If you have a project where time is of the essence, you might indicate that you are not available to transport at that time. It is possible to professionally and politely let management and other workers know you are not available for other duties while completing a project. It sounds like others are pushing the transporting off on you as they complete their other tasks, because they know you will do it. It's good to be a team player, but, you must carefully set boundaries, too. I do wish you luck, but, also wish for you to take active measures in setting boundaries and saying, "I am not available" at times and "No" sometimes
Maggie StoneMarch 6,2022 at 2:43PM UTC
This other person may be favored, but she also asked.
Christi MillerMarch 6,2022 at 3:03PM UTC
Ask for the raise you deserve and be sure to come with proof points.
If you go above and beyond make sure you mention that as well. If that does not work then consider looking for a new role a at another company that will value your hard work.
Deb HornerMarch 6,2022 at 3:13PM UTC
Do the overtime and finish your paperwork. If the paperwork takes longer than your shift allows, then do the paperwork before you go home. Get it done. They will keep shoveling stuff on you that you need to complete, but when you start working overtime to finish paperwork, they might change their tune.
Audrey KirschMarch 6,2022 at 4:00PM UTC
There is so much need for workers in your field. You should check around at other locations to see what they are offering. Then you can decide if it’s worth sticking with your seniority or if it would benefit you to make a change. The drama of co-workers is everywhere, but you might find a place where the money is better and you have an opportunity to learn new things.
AnonymousMarch 6,2022 at 4:29PM UTC
First, it sounds like this isn't the management chain for you. Everyone should be valued by their company/managers. If not, it is time to move on.
Second, if you are being told you are not getting raises because you have not completed your charting, you need to prioritize doing your charting. It will be a bit bumpy saying 'no' at first because you need to finish your core work, but eventually people will get used to you not having all the time you have been spending on things not helping you get ahead.
Gwen FaisonMarch 6,2022 at 4:52PM UTC
Stop being complacent and take your talents and worth elsewhere.
Crystal HowellMarch 6,2022 at 7:45PM UTC
Being unappreciated at work spreads into other areas of your life.
Once your vested,if applicable, get with a recruiter and find an appreciative and fair company.
Boniog Ma. AgnesMarch 7,2022 at 2:41AM UTC
I suggest you prioritize your core duties before doing other work... do that consistently for al least three months, then ask for a raise...throw in a li'l prayer... I'm sure they'll reconsider... good luck!
Maureen B. WeisnerMarch 7,2022 at 7:39PM UTC
I agree with many suggestions proposed. Changing any behavior is an adjustment especially when you feel you have been doing all in service to your clients. Prepare for some backsliding and know that in order to reach your goals, it will take discipline and focus on your goal.
Priorities:
Complete core work
Avoid interpersonal drama
Ask for proper compensation
Look for employment elsewhere