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SkyBlueFlux

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I'm going to take advantage of the relative anonymity of asking questions on here and once again dip into Bluemoon's collective farcical wisdom.

I finished university and I started working for a company pretty much straight away about 5 months ago.

Been really happy there up to now, not had a single issue and I can see it being a place I spend a long time working for. I put in about an hour or two a day more than I'm contracted to do (already 42.5 hours). I do work at weekends sometimes too, in the hope of standing out a bit. So far it's gone really well and now I'm answering directly into the CEO, which is a lot of pressure but I relish it.

When I first started I agreed to take a lower salary than I would have wanted to, just get my foot in the door. Both sides understood that and they got no complaints from me. In about Nov I was told I'd earned a rise based on what I'd already done that will take effect in Jan. Then just this week I went to talk to my old line manager who put the forms in for the rise a while back, and I've been told that the CEO who promised me the rise in the first place is refusing to sign it off this month because the company as a whole (we're talking multi-£m with over 1,000 employees) isn't doing as well as expected. I work with financials and I can tell you it's in huge growth.

Now it's a bit shit because, like I say, I like working there. This is my first proper full-time job and I have little other experience. I don't want to kick up a fuss and rock the boat, I'm just happy to be in a good job. I just see it as pretty bad form that they've asked me to take up this position of greater responsibility under the proviso I would get a bit more money. They've happily handed over the extra work, but I'm still on the same salary.

Do I have a leg to stand on if I go in and complain? Or should I just take the hit? I'm worried about setting a precedent of being a bit of a pushover.
 
Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that
 
SkyBlueFlux said:
I'm going to take advantage of the relative anonymity of asking questions on here and once again dip into Bluemoon's collective farcical wisdom.

I finished university and I started working for a company pretty much straight away about 5 months ago.

Been really happy there up to now, not had a single issue and I can see it being a place I spend a long time working for. I put in about an hour or two a day more than I'm contracted to do (already 42.5 hours). I do work at weekends sometimes too, in the hope of standing out a bit. So far it's gone really well and now I'm answering directly into the CEO, which is a lot of pressure but I relish it.

When I first started I agreed to take a lower salary than I would have wanted to, just get my foot in the door. Both sides understood that and they got no complaints from me. In about Nov I was told I'd earned a rise based on what I'd already done that will take effect in Jan. Then just this week I went to talk to my old line manager who put the forms in for the rise a while back, and I've been told that the CEO who promised me the rise in the first place is refusing to sign it off this month because the company as a whole (we're talking multi-£m with over 1,000 employees) isn't doing as well as expected. I work with financials and I can tell you it's in huge growth.

Now it's a bit shit because, like I say, I like working there. This is my first proper full-time job and I have little other experience. I don't want to kick up a fuss and rock the boat, I'm just happy to be in a good job. I just see it as pretty bad form that they've asked me to take up this position of greater responsibility under the proviso I would get a bit more money. They've happily handed over the extra work, but I'm still on the same salary.

Do I have a leg to stand on if I go in and complain? Or should I just take the hit? I'm worried about setting a precedent of being a bit of a pushover.
Click to expand...

Mention you are unhappy, give them time to consider, if nothing changes either accept it or look for another job
 
jimharri said:
Did you get the promise of the pay rise in writing?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately not Jim, he said it in my end of probation hearing.

Probably some naivety going on there. Admittedly.

DiscoSteve said:
dick slexia said:
Welcome to the real world
Click to expand...
^^^THIS
Click to expand...

I'm fully aware the real world is full of people trying to screw you over. I just want to know my rights. No more, no less.
 
Agree but politely let them know you are dissapointed, stipulate a review in another month or two - perhaps the start of the new financial year. Continue to work hard and don't let this affect your outward attitude or performance. That way you will justify at least the promised raise, or at least have an impressive cv for your next employer.
My guess is that unless you have done something you haven't put in the op your boss is just trying to keep wages within a budget (which will be one of his performance indicators) and you are the unlucky one - nothing personal.
 
BlueBearBoots said:
Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that
Click to expand...

Yeah probably this. It may have always been a ploy from the manager who offered you the raise, just to get himself some credit or pay rise at your expense. Don't be taken for granted, if they don't reward you when you have gone out of your way to impress, when are they going to?
 
BlueBearBoots said:
Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that
Click to expand...
I've also been in that situation many years ago but would offer a word of caution. I was brought in to a company on a low grade but was doing a much more high-profile strategic project and doing it well. Like you I was promised a substantial rise at my next review. When that came I got the same sort of story. It was a great company but I put myself on the market to get an idea of what my skills were worth and it appeared they were worth a lot more. One offer pretty well doubled my existing package so I took it. However it wasn't quite as straightforward as that because the new company was horrendous to work for.

After 12 months I contacted my old company and went back there. Initially it was on a freelance basis but when a permanent position came up they offered it to me with a much better salary than I'd been on when I left.

So I'd suggest you get an idea of what you're worth on the market by applying for jobs and getting offers. If you don't get anything then you're a bit stuffed but if you do then you've got a stick to use. If they want to keep you they'll find a way but you have to go in and make a case without being overly threatening. If they call your bluff then you have to be prepared to hand your notice in. But think very carefully if that's really what you want to do. All that glitters is not gold.
 
BlueBearBoots said:
Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that
Click to expand...

Cheers BBB, but I've just uprooted my life to move to the area, and I'd rather persevere. If that means sticking with my current salary then so be it.

Helmet Cole said:
Agree but politely let them know you are dissapointed, stipulate a review in another month or two - perhaps the start of the new financial year. Continue to work hard and don't let this affect your outward attitude or performance. That way you will justify at least the promised raise, or at least have an impressive cv for your next employer.
My guess is that unless you have done something you haven't put in the op your boss is just trying to keep wages within a budget (which will be one of his performance indicators) and you are the unlucky one - nothing personal.
Click to expand...

Thanks, sounds like decent advice.
 
Whilst I'm no HR Guru, I've worked for a number of large firms over the years. You're probably best taking it on the chin for the time being - Use this as a learning curve.

Whenever you have an appraisal or meeting that involves discussions relating to any sort of contractual change, always send an e-mail to your boss so you have a record of the discussion. Without getting this sort of stuff in writing, there's no comeback and nine times out of ten, you're more likely to end up with a P45 than the rise you were promised.
 
SkyBlueFlux said:
jimharri said:
Did you get the promise of the pay rise in writing?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately not Jim, he said it in my end of probation hearing.

Probably some naivety going on there. Admittedly.
Click to expand...
Not really many options open for you then. As others have said, if you're really unhappy there jack it in and take your chances in the job market. Otherwise, sit tight and ask for another review in six months. As you have found out, and have alluded to in your reply to me, verbal promises/agreements are not worth a shit. Take it from me; I know.
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
BlueBearBoots said:
Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that
Click to expand...
I've also been in that situation many years ago but would offer a word of caution. I was brought in to a company on a low grade but was doing a much more high-profile strategic project and doing it well. When it came time to review my salary I got the same sort of story. It was a great company but I put myself on the market to get an idea of what my skills were worth and it appeared they were worth a lot more. One offer pretty well doubled my existing package so I took it. However it wasn't quite as straightforward as that because the new company was horrendous to work for.

After 12 months I contacted my old company and went back there. Initially it was on a freelance basis but when a permanent position came up they offered it to me with a much better salary than I'd been on when I left.

So I'd suggest you get an idea of what you're worth on the market by applying for jobs and getting offers. If you don't get anything then you're a bit stuffed but if you do then you've got a stick to use. If they want to keep you they'll find a way but you have to go in and make a case without being overly threatening. If they call your bluff then you have to be prepared to hand your notice in. But think very carefully if that's really what you want to do. All that glitters is not gold.
Click to expand...


More good advice (see, this place isn't so bad).

A friend with the same degree and similar experience to me has just got a job that's about 50% up on what I earn so I think it's possible I could be worth more, but as you say, I've got to be sure before taking that kind of action.
 
Best company I worked for was one where salaries were public knowledge. If you thought you were out of line you could check with your colleagues and, if you had a case, argue it with your manager. If you could show that your skills, experience & performance were similar to someone else who was earning significantly more, then they would usually agree.
 
Here's my take. I had a very similar situation when I started my job a few years back and in the end I stuck it out and it worked out ok.

Ask them what it'd take for you to be worth a rise to them despite what they've said. Show you're mad keen and working hard but want to progress and would like a conversation about "career" and "progression". Stay positive at work but at the end of the day if they fob you off, get looking at jobs. You've got a bit of experience under your belt so are in a better position than 5 months ago so play the slow game and if you go down this route, don't jump ship before finding the follow-up job. Good luck with it.
 
move on for more money if you can

if you can't then swallow your pride till you ensure that you can
 
Prestwich_Blue said:
BlueBearBoots said:
Been in a similar position before - get yourself another job and increase your salary that way why would you want to work for a lying cheeting company that don't deliver? You are worth more than that and there are companies out there that appreciate that
Click to expand...
I've also been in that situation many years ago but would offer a word of caution. I was brought in to a company on a low grade but was doing a much more high-profile strategic project and doing it well. Like you I was promised a substantial rise at my next review. When that came I got the same sort of story. It was a great company but I put myself on the market to get an idea of what my skills were worth and it appeared they were worth a lot more. One offer pretty well doubled my existing package so I took it. However it wasn't quite as straightforward as that because the new company was horrendous to work for.

After 12 months I contacted my old company and went back there. Initially it was on a freelance basis but when a permanent position came up they offered it to me with a much better salary than I'd been on when I left.

So I'd suggest you get an idea of what you're worth on the market by applying for jobs and getting offers. If you don't get anything then you're a bit stuffed but if you do then you've got a stick to use. If they want to keep you they'll find a way but you have to go in and make a case without being overly threatening. If they call your bluff then you have to be prepared to hand your notice in. But think very carefully if that's really what you want to do. All that glitters is not gold.
Click to expand...

Do you mind me asking what line of work you're in? I'm interested in setting up on my own once I'm qualified, but wouldn't really know where to start.
 
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