Salary boost. How do you feel?

[Philly]

How would one go about complaining to the boss about this?

"You increased my salary to 50k and hired a new guy who you are also paying 50k. Even though you just gave me a small pay increase from the salary we had previously agreed upon, now that the new guy is making 50k, I need to be making more."
If I'm the boss I'm gonna tell you the new guy's salary isn't your concern and you're asking for a raise but haven't given me any meaningful reason to grant it.

You could go tell the boss that you feel your work has been more than satisfactory for a long time and you believe a salary increase would be appropriate. Because4 now you're actually explaining why YOU should get a raise, rather than talking about the new guy's salary.

[Darkhorse]

[Philly]

It's natural to feel that way, but I really think it's unconvincing when you make your salary negotiation about someone else.


I once had an experience at a job where the boss tried to bring it back on me. I had a number I wanted and he told me that giving me that raise would put me very close to a more senior employee who had been there for years and had more responsibilities. I told him that I think my colleague is tragically underpaid if that's the case, but I'm here to discuss my own salary, not anyone elses. I ended up getting pretty close to the number I wanted and my colleague finally realized it was time to ask for more money as well.

Bottom line: some people are your job are probably overpaid and some people are under paid, but instead of focusing on what you make in relation to them, you should be focusing on whether or not you are underpaid for the work you do. Some people have connections that get them a sweet deal. Some people just have the boss convinced they're worth more than they are. None of that really matters to me though. I just don't want my compensation to be less than I should be getting for my work.

[Darkhorse]

[Philly]

Well it's fine to say "I think my results are as good as anyone in the department and for someone in this business who performs my work at my level, $X is a reasonable salary."

Requesting a salary increase based on what level of compensation is typical in your industry is fine, because you're citing a larger sample of data for your whole industry, rather than singling out colleagues and complaining that you should be paid more than them. I don't think you should say "I'm way better than Phil at my job so I should be making more than him." It looks bad to be throwing your colleagues under the bus like that and plus just cause Phil is overpaid doesn't mean you deserve a raise.

[Stratego]

Regardless of what your approach is, do you feel it's justified for you to be asking for a raise after this wage increase?

[Philly]

[Darkhorse]

[Saz]

[Philly]

Menson how do you feel about Merit Pay™ in public schools?