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hi everyone,
i was wondering about what i'm going to do.....i work as an Engineer with 7-8 years of experience. I've been at the current small company for 2 years now and my review is up.
i've performed well over the past year, obtained my PMP, have several satisfied customers from the past year, and i'm sure that i will be offered a raise....but i'm content with how much i'm getting paid. It is more than 20k more than my friends working elsewhere, and the company is not doing as well as it could be doing right now (although things are turning around rapidly). The reason i'm considering declining the raise is the facts mentioned above, as well as the thinking about the higher paid folks being cut first, should there ever be a downsizing.....
my question to you is whether you'd ever turn down a raise, and what's the best way to go about doing that strategically if you were to do that? should i ask for something else instead? (like more Vacation time, etc.?)
I have turned down raises asking for something else instead.
Unlimited use of a company car is always good.
Maybe a couple business meals every month (wink, wink).
Trust me -- if they can't afford to give you a raise, they won't. If they can, they will. I've worked in places that weren't doing well, and raises were off the table. They did some extra compensation in other ways, but flat out said raises were off the table.
The employer decides how to spend money. It is not your responsibility to look after the entire scope of the firm's finanaces, and relate your personal salary to their success, or failure. For example, where I work, I make an excellent salary, BUT...the waste, fraud, and problems in expenditure, far exceed my little salary. So, I take every cent. I earn it. I leave on time, don't ever stay late.
I'm thinking that your company may not want to be too flexible because things never are as easy as they sound anymore. If they do something a little different for one employee then they have to consider it for anyone else who requests it, and things could get a little sticky. It's one of those concepts that sound better on paper than in reality.
I work a city job, and many people complain of pay not being even with other jurisdictions (which is true). However, our benefits are a fair amount better. So when employees complain about the pay, I tell them that I'd rather maintain lower pay to leave our benefits uncompromised. Because a raise would NOT match the increase in health insurance if we forced the issue. Others don't see it that way.
The joke may well b e on you..! If they aren't doing well, they will give you your review and then CUT your salary..! If a raise is offered, take it and don't look back..!
Loyalty to a company only goes so far. If necessary, they would toss you under the bus without a moments hesitation. You're too young to know how companies treat long time, loyal employees..!
If the job is also an increase in responsibility, absolutely. I actually have turned down a raise and ended up being the only one in my division at that time that didn't get laid off. So, depending on the company and the situation it may be a smart thing to do. I ended up getting a promotion and moved to the division I had always wanted to work in because my VP at the time thought it was admirable what I had done. He commented that he thought I cared more about just the job but the entire company. Which I do. I see it that if my company does well, I do well. IF we aren't doing well, why should I get rewarded for that?
The joke may well b e on you..! If they aren't doing well, they will give you your review and then CUT your salary..! If a raise is offered, take it and don't look back..!
Loyalty to a company only goes so far. If necessary, they would toss you under the bus without a moments hesitation. You're too young to know how companies treat long time, loyal employees..!
don't you think it's a bit different at a small company?
also, don't you think it might be different from company to company?
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