Denied Raise - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Temporary_User · 09-06-2006, 02:18 PM

About 1-2 months ago I received a raise from my boss. At this time I was told I would be immediatly moved up from $10 to $11 and we would talk about moving me up to $12.
I believe I am the hardest worker @ my job, and was always willing to work whenever they needed me. I was always scheduled for 6 days a week, and would often work 7.
Recently I talked to my boss about getting the $12 and was told that he needed to see a few more things out of me to be earning that. I was informed that others at my position who have been working there are receiving less than I am now.
Obviously I wont be getting my raise at all, and the others should get one themselves.
My problem is this: As some of you might know from my other posts I started this job to become a server. I feel like Im being used because at my position it is hard to find good workers to stay. My boss told me that since im currently going to school and cutting back my hours that it is holding me back from getting the raise.
I really feel like this is a slap in the face, and also everytime they hire someone to serve it is a slap in the face. Serving would be alot more money, but I do enjoy my job. Ive been comtemplating quiting and getting a job serving somewhere else. The problem is that I feel they would ask me why I never served @ my current job. Which I really couldnt give them an answer to.
This is sortof acting as a lil rant for myself, but I hope to get some good feedback on possible actions I should take.

Carno · 09-06-2006, 02:35 PM

Tell the boss you want to switch to server or you're going to quit. If he says no, stick to your guns and quit.

Serving jobs are a dime a dozen, you can get one anywhere. If a different job asks why you never served, tell them that you weren't able to because they already had enough servers.

You're not exactly in a high stakes industry here. Getting a job in a restaurant is probably one of the easiest jobs you can get. If you want to be a server, be a god damn server. Don't settle for some bullshit that a restaurant manager is feeding you. Show some backbone and don't settle for anything less than your goals.

robot_parade · 09-06-2006, 07:28 PM

I don't know much about the restaurant industry, but, when negotiating for higher pay, I'd recommend:

o Be realistic. Your time may be worth 'x' and hour, but if your boss can find someone who does the job as well as you, or 'good enough' and can pay them less than 'x', then it's a no brainer for your boss - he won't pay you 'x'.

o Don't be afraid to look around. See what options are out there...it can't hurt, and maybe you can find a better job for more money. You don't have to quit your current job to start looking around.

o Be professional. "Give me 'x' or I'll quit" almost never works, at least in the industries I've been in. It *might* get you more money at the moment, but your boss will *know* you are ready to bolt, and will be waiting for your replacement to walk in, resume in hand. Tactics like "I think I deserve 'x'" or "I'm unhappy in my current role, I'd like to be doing '<something more challenging, with higher pay>' instead." work much better.

o Have a backup plan. If you quit tomorrow, will you be able to make this months rent while you find another job?

The "oooh, you're a student, thus you must not be contributing as much as a non-student." is a really shitty tactic. From your post, I don't know if you actually are working fewer than the recommended/required number of hours or not...but your salary per hour should depend on how effective you are while you are working, not the number of hours you work. Also, don't even *think* about sacrificing your academics for your current 'getting through school' job. Which will you be doing longer, the job you are in now, or the career you're training for? Which will have more of an impact on your life?

Anyway, good luck.

Carno · 09-06-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robot_parade

Be professional. "Give me 'x' or I'll quit" almost never works, at least in the industries I've been in. It *might* get you more money at the moment, but your boss will *know* you are ready to bolt, and will be waiting for your replacement to walk in, resume in hand. Tactics like "I think I deserve 'x'" or "I'm unhappy in my current role, I'd like to be doing '<something more challenging, with higher pay>' instead." work much better.

I don't think that giving an ultimatum would be detrimental in this case. It's not like he's asking for a raise.

Simply tell the boss, "I originally started this job with the hopes of becoming a server later on. If I can't become a server here, then I'm afraid I'm going to have to look for another job that will hire me as a server."

It's a freaking restaurant job, he's not exactly the CEO of a million dollar corporation.

EDIT: also, the boss may be using you to fill a role that he needs filled. He has no loyalty to you, no obligation to give you anything. You're there to make money, he's there to make sure his company makes money.

Bottom line is that if you're not getting what you need, go somewhere else. And if you don't, you're a sucker.

Antikarma · 09-07-2006, 08:40 AM

Move north. I know McDonalds pays 15 an hour here. Not to say you should work there, but as an example of pay scale purely.

Might not be a viable solution to move, but its a move I made and never regretted. Up in the north here, they are so desperate for people that will actually show up to work, and not be stoned when they do it, that people can get hired free of experience or education and initiate a career change. I went from finance to electrician (thats 30k in student loans I still regret), and my wife went from collections to human resources.

I know guys that have come up outta high school that are managing stores within 2 months because they showed up and tried.

Manic_Skafe · 09-10-2006, 02:19 AM

I've been in a similar position before and that experience taught me that the feeling you have of being used is there because you're being used - that's what jobs do, at the least possible expense to the company you're expected to preform at your fullest potential every time you clock in.

If you think you deserve more money for your effort then you should play all your options until you find an employer that agrees with you.

It wouldn't be smart to give an ultimatum when almost anyone could fill your position - you're there to trade time for money and while you have the flexibility afforded to one who isn't stuck in a career and can practically pick up on the same job elsewhere you should take advantage of it.

Asking for another raise doesn't seem worthy of the effort, cut down your hours so that you have time enough to find another job and if you really want to stay there then see if they're willing to match the offer of another employer who's willing to hire you.

You're in a much better position then you realize.

krwlz · 09-11-2006, 09:11 AM

Yea, dead end job suck, but here's a key tip... No matter how happy you are anywhere, never stop looking for a better opportunity elsewhere. Great job you love is an awesome thing to have, but that doesnt mean an even better one couldn't be around the corner. If you aren't looking you'll never even know about it.

09-06-2006, 02:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Temporary_User Psycho	Denied Raise About 1-2 months ago I received a raise from my boss. At this time I was told I would be immediatly moved up from $10 to $11 and we would talk about moving me up to $12. I believe I am the hardest worker @ my job, and was always willing to work whenever they needed me. I was always scheduled for 6 days a week, and would often work 7. Recently I talked to my boss about getting the $12 and was told that he needed to see a few more things out of me to be earning that. I was informed that others at my position who have been working there are receiving less than I am now. Obviously I wont be getting my raise at all, and the others should get one themselves. My problem is this: As some of you might know from my other posts I started this job to become a server. I feel like Im being used because at my position it is hard to find good workers to stay. My boss told me that since im currently going to school and cutting back my hours that it is holding me back from getting the raise. I really feel like this is a slap in the face, and also everytime they hire someone to serve it is a slap in the face. Serving would be alot more money, but I do enjoy my job. Ive been comtemplating quiting and getting a job serving somewhere else. The problem is that I feel they would ask me why I never served @ my current job. Which I really couldnt give them an answer to. This is sortof acting as a lil rant for myself, but I hope to get some good feedback on possible actions I should take.

09-06-2006, 02:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Carno Junkie	Tell the boss you want to switch to server or you're going to quit. If he says no, stick to your guns and quit. Serving jobs are a dime a dozen, you can get one anywhere. If a different job asks why you never served, tell them that you weren't able to because they already had enough servers. You're not exactly in a high stakes industry here. Getting a job in a restaurant is probably one of the easiest jobs you can get. If you want to be a server, be a god damn server. Don't settle for some bullshit that a restaurant manager is feeding you. Show some backbone and don't settle for anything less than your goals. __________________ http://how-to-spell-ridiculous.com/

09-06-2006, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
robot_parade Junkie Location: San Antonio, TX	I don't know much about the restaurant industry, but, when negotiating for higher pay, I'd recommend: o Be realistic. Your time may be worth 'x' and hour, but if your boss can find someone who does the job as well as you, or 'good enough' and can pay them less than 'x', then it's a no brainer for your boss - he won't pay you 'x'. o Don't be afraid to look around. See what options are out there...it can't hurt, and maybe you can find a better job for more money. You don't have to quit your current job to start looking around. o Be professional. "Give me 'x' or I'll quit" almost never works, at least in the industries I've been in. It might get you more money at the moment, but your boss will know you are ready to bolt, and will be waiting for your replacement to walk in, resume in hand. Tactics like "I think I deserve 'x'" or "I'm unhappy in my current role, I'd like to be doing '<something more challenging, with higher pay>' instead." work much better. o Have a backup plan. If you quit tomorrow, will you be able to make this months rent while you find another job? The "oooh, you're a student, thus you must not be contributing as much as a non-student." is a really shitty tactic. From your post, I don't know if you actually are working fewer than the recommended/required number of hours or not...but your salary per hour should depend on how effective you are while you are working, not the number of hours you work. Also, don't even think about sacrificing your academics for your current 'getting through school' job. Which will you be doing longer, the job you are in now, or the career you're training for? Which will have more of an impact on your life? Anyway, good luck. Last edited by robot_parade; 09-06-2006 at 07:31 PM..

09-07-2006, 08:40 AM	#5 (permalink)
Antikarma Psycho Location: Yellowknife, NWT	Move north. I know McDonalds pays 15 an hour here. Not to say you should work there, but as an example of pay scale purely. Might not be a viable solution to move, but its a move I made and never regretted. Up in the north here, they are so desperate for people that will actually show up to work, and not be stoned when they do it, that people can get hired free of experience or education and initiate a career change. I went from finance to electrician (thats 30k in student loans I still regret), and my wife went from collections to human resources. I know guys that have come up outta high school that are managing stores within 2 months because they showed up and tried. __________________ "Whoever you are, go out into the evening, leaving your room, of which you know each bit; your house is the last before the infinite, whoever you are."

09-10-2006, 02:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Manic_Skafe More Than You Expect Location: Queens	I've been in a similar position before and that experience taught me that the feeling you have of being used is there because you're being used - that's what jobs do, at the least possible expense to the company you're expected to preform at your fullest potential every time you clock in. If you think you deserve more money for your effort then you should play all your options until you find an employer that agrees with you. It wouldn't be smart to give an ultimatum when almost anyone could fill your position - you're there to trade time for money and while you have the flexibility afforded to one who isn't stuck in a career and can practically pick up on the same job elsewhere you should take advantage of it. Asking for another raise doesn't seem worthy of the effort, cut down your hours so that you have time enough to find another job and if you really want to stay there then see if they're willing to match the offer of another employer who's willing to hire you. You're in a much better position then you realize. __________________ "Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian

09-11-2006, 09:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	Yea, dead end job suck, but here's a key tip... No matter how happy you are anywhere, never stop looking for a better opportunity elsewhere. Great job you love is an awesome thing to have, but that doesnt mean an even better one couldn't be around the corner. If you aren't looking you'll never even know about it.