Q & A Table of Contents
Can I Afford To Succeed My Boss?
From: Joe, Woodstock, Georgia
Question: I am currently a supervisor in the provisioning department of a communications company and have been in this position for about 3 years. My boss recently told me that he's getting another position in the company and his boss approached me a few days ago to gauge my interest in the position. I informed him I was interested.
However, as I understand it, my boss was grossly underpaid compared to other managers in our organization. I'm pretty sure that the director for whom I'll be working is going to lowball me. The salary I'm willing to perform this job for is about $5k more than my boss' salary, but still about $10k to $15k less than other managers working under this director, one of which has only been in her position for about 6 months.
How should I approach this and what should my expectations be? My wife tells me to stand firm and if I don't get what I want, to walk away. A friend tells me it would be career suicide within the company. Thanks in advance.
Response: The wisest approach is not to make assumptions about why your current boss’s pay has been lower than his peers in the company. One never knows what lies behind an anomalous salary.
How does your current pay compare with that of other folks at the same level as you? If you are within the average range — or better — that could be a useful reflection of how the company currently values you.
You need to look at the balance of your interests when it comes to whether to take the new job and what level of compensation is acceptable. If it is going to have a significant impact on your stress level, if your new responsibilities will require longer hours, that must be taken into account as you negotiate your pay. Moreover, your credibility within the organization will be impacted by how your pay compares with other folks at your level.
It is also important to research what benchmarks are used — or appear to have been used — in setting the salaries of others at a simiilar level in the hierarchy. Seniority, education, number of people supervised, and other similar factors might be issues with an impact on pay decisions.
While your friend is suggesting that standing up for your interests could be ‘career suicide’ it is my opinion that your wife’s approach makes more sense. It does not make a great deal of sense to accept more responsibility unless there is appropriate compensation. Moreover, if the company determines they can ‘underpay’ you, they may take advantage of you in other ways. A wise move would be to look carefully at your options; if you decide to walk from an unacceptable proposal from the company, does that mean you’ll walk back to your current job or that you will walk out the door? Are there attractive career options available to you if your company won’t play fair?
Remember that in figuring the value of your compensation package many issues can be involved: pay, vacation time, benefits, resources available on the job (assistants, etc.) and similar rewards may entice you or turn you off. Look at these issues ahead of time so that you are inoculated against surprises. Then pursue your interests. If the company wants you — and respects you — you are likely to end up in a more favorable situation.
Good luck,
Steve
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