Q & A Table of Contents
Should I Take a Promotion Without Equivalent Pay?
From: Bob, Virginia
Question: Dear Steve,
I have been asked to be a director of an important part of my Department of
The University and I am one of the lower paid faculty members.
I sincerely believe they want me for the position, but I really don't trust
my Department Head. I have asked for my base salary to be put in line with
some of the other faculty (I am about $7000 below them now). My Department Head has said they will give me a $3000 stipend as long as I work at this position, but the money does not apply to my retirement, or on to future raises.
I want any thing I get to go on my base salary. My Department Head tells me
this is impossible, so I going to tell him I am not interested. Is this a
good strategy? I have already told him what I want. I need to let him know
within a couple of days.
Response: Dear Bob,
You should ask why they are offering you this position if you are currently
at a lower hierarchical level as well as getting paid less than others in
similar positions. Is this a serious offer, or are they using you as a goad
to get someone else to accept the position under similarly unfavorable
conditions?
How badly do they need you? If they can't get you, do they have viable
alternatives? Can they go outside The University, for example. It is a
tough time of the academic year to get someone from outside, so perhaps that enters into their thinking.
Is the new job a permanent one or just temporary? If the school is a state
school, is there a salary 'cap' that the 'stipend' approach can get around?
Perhaps if they pay you a stipend the first year with a written commitment
to pay that increase plus more as a real salary in subsequent years that
would make things better all around.
When you tell your Department Head of your wants/needs/objectives, what is his reaction? Is he simply 'reading from the book' or has he responded to
your statement of your interests with an indication that he understands and
cares where you are coming from?
Can you make a lateral move within The University or to another academic
institution either now or next year, for example? If you take this
administrative job, would it mean that in your application for a job
someplace else it would be a substantial plus on your resume?
I think that your approach of saying that there are certain things you
cannot accept is quite appropriate, as long as you are willing to accept the
consequences. These can include not only not getting the new job and the
extra $3000, but also it may mean being stuck or limited as regards your
career development as long as you stay at The University. So before you
come up with a 'take it or leave it' approach, consider the consequences.
Frankly, it sounds as if you have considered this, and if you are
comfortable, go for it.
Are there any extrinsic factors that relate to your current dilemma? Is the
school or the Department Head under pressure relating to promotions or pay
for people of different gender, race, age, specialty, etc? How do you fit
into that context? Are there logical/acceptable reasons that you are
currently paid less than others -- experience, educational attainment, etc.?
I wish you good luck.
Steve
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