Q & A Table of Contents
The Promised Me Everything But All I Got Is More Work
From: Nita, Bluefields, West Virginia
Question: I have been working at my job for almost 6 months now and 3 months ago I was promised a promotion and better pay with benefits.
I got the heavier workload, did not, however, get the job title, nor did I receive any kind of increase in pay or benefits. I currently work the position I was hired for AND the other position that became available. I work 40 hours a week and usually overtime just to finish before a new week starts.
I do not have any kind of medical coverage, retirement, or any other aspect that would be beneficial. I deserve the raise considering the person that had this position before attained full benefits and a wage of $10-$12 an hour while I only receive $5.15. What is your advice on how I can change this situation?
Response: Ultimately you need to communicate with the person who promised the improvements in your job situation to find out why the promises have not been fulfilled and to learn what possibilities exist for improving your situation.
Before that face to face conversation -- and it cannot take place by email or telephone -- you need to research some information that may give you an idea of how far you can go in confronting the situation without making matters worse.
- Has the financial situation of the company changed favorably or unfavorably since the
promises were made to you?
- Have there been any layoffs or other changes in the organization of the company? Are
there internal political issues in the company that may have weakened the power of the
person who made you the promises? With whom can you talk who can make a difference?
- Did the person who made you the promises actually have the capacity to deliver on what
he or she offered you? What information did they give you to get you to believe them?
- What is the comparable pay and other compensation being received by others in a similar
position to you in the company?
- How is the job market in the industry in general and in your community in particular? Do
people with your skills and experience and responsibility get compensated differently from you
in your company, your industry, your community?
- This is especially important: What is your BATNA -- your Best Alternative To a Negotiated
agreement? Can you find a more rewarding job within the company, the industry, the
community? If you have good alternatives 'out there' it substantially improves your
bargaining power.
You also need to try to learn as much as possible about the interests, authority, and other concerns of other stakeholders: other employees, folks above you in the hierarchy, the company's owners, suppliers, and customers -- and folks who are important to you.
With all this information or assumptions based on your best guesses, you should be able to choose who you should meet, how you can judge whether they are telling the truth, and what information you need to get to make wise decisions. The better prepared you are with the questions you need to ask and the impact of possible answers, the greater the likelihood that your negotiation will yield more favorable results.
Good luck,
Steve
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