Communication with your superiors - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Rubyee · 04-30-2004, 06:31 AM

When I started this job two months ago, I was told that upon hire, I could have a performance review after two months with a possible raise based upon the results of the review. This was promised to me since the company could not start me out at the wages I wanted.

It has been two months and no speak of any review. A couple of people around the office have mentioned that they, too, have been forgotten when it comes time for performance reviews.

I don't know how to approach this situation, because I don't know if the HR manager has forgotten, or doesn't have time, or maybe was just lying to get me to take the job. Should I ask her about it, or her assistant? Email or face to face? And should I tell her it is about time, or remind her in case she forgot, or pretend that I thought she knew about it all along and just ask her to remind me of when it will be? I really don't want to make her angry at me, because not only is she the HR manager, but she is my supervisor as well. What should I do?

onetime2 · 04-30-2004, 06:48 AM

I would talk to her directly and simply say, "I'd like to set up a time to conduct my two month review". There's no reason she should be mad at you for taking the initiative to get the ball rolling.

Polyphobic · 04-30-2004, 07:25 AM

Or you can do what I like to do when this or a similar situation arises. I'm a chicken shit with my superiors. I pose it as a question.

"[insert name of superior here], when did you say my first review was? I seem to have forgotten. "

This can serve to remind the superior without making them feel like an ass.

absorbentishe · 04-30-2004, 07:35 AM

I was sort of in the same position when I was first hired in, 5 years ago. What I did was e-mail HR first, then talk to my superior. Of course I didn't get a raise out of, but did have the review anyhow.

scott2162 · 05-01-2004, 05:35 PM

If I was in management, I would wait until you mentioned it to me. I'd figure, why should I pay him more if I don't have to. I definitely mention it in a subtle way as described above.

sprocket · 05-01-2004, 06:01 PM

Its typical. They will not be knocking down your door to give you more money. The reasons you get prompt reviews in corperate america are:

a) You are about to be fired
b) You are an invaluble employee and they have reason to beleive you are going to leave the company (just being an invaluble employee doesnt count. They will put off paying you more for as long as possible if this is the case)
c) You irritate the ever living shit out of your employer/manager/HR person (whoever you need to) about getting your review, until you get it.

Dont forget that they promised you the review. Your entitled. Dont let them make you feel like a jackass for asking for what you deserve (and what they owe).

irseg · 05-01-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scott2162
If I was in management, I would wait until you mentioned it to me. I'd figure, why should I pay him more if I don't have to. I definitely mention it in a subtle way as described above.

Yep! I'd figure that if you don't take the initiative to ask for a review in the timeframe that I said you could have one, you don't want one. The management's job is to maximize profits, which is generally not accomplished by running after employees saying "Hey it's been two months, here! Take more money! Please!"

ratbastid · 05-02-2004, 08:06 AM

I agree with the above: performance reviews are THE number one most neglected and broken HR promise. But it was a promise, and if you keep after them, they will keep it.

Go to HR and schedule it. Don't leave until it's on the calendar.

Rubyee · 05-03-2004, 07:29 AM

Thanks, everyone! I will let you all know how it turns out.

Rubyee · 05-03-2004, 09:55 AM

I did email the person, and the person denied saying anything about a review with possible raise after two months, and that they usually do it at 6 months. Of course, I didn't get it down in writing, but it is pretty sad when you have to get stuff like that down in writing. It is giving me a little more insight on how this company is run, that's for sure. I don't know where it is going to go from here.

scott2162 · 05-04-2004, 03:02 PM

It does suck that now you feel like you have to keep track of every little thing that's said. I work for a large company and if I don't keep track of emails, it's basically my word against management and I'll lose every time. It's sad, but seems like just the way corporations are run these days.

rockzilla · 05-04-2004, 05:13 PM

Sucks that you didn't get it in writing. That happened to me at my current job a few months ago. After some pestering, sabre-rattling, and resume passing, I got my review (and got two raises within 2 months of each other), and a written statement that said when my next review had to be performed by (June 22nd). I guard that sheet of paper with my life.
It definitely sucks when you can't trust your employer to keep their word, but I've learned it's always good to protect yourself and get stuff like that in writing no matter what.

agball · 05-05-2004, 08:47 AM

The objective on any good company is to get the most out of people and pay them as little as possible. Unfortunate, but true of most sucessful businesses.

If I were in your situation I would simply go to the person who promised you the 2 month review. Say to them, "When you hired me, you told me that I would have a review after 2 months.""It has been X month and I have not heard anything." When are we going to have it?"

I would expect them to say that they still cant afford to give you want you want.

Dont be afaid to bring the situation to the table, they are not going to fire you for asking.

Once they know you will stay even if they dont give you the review or the raise, they know they own you no matter what and will continue to take advantage.

Be Firm.

04-30-2004, 06:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rubyee I'm baaaaack!	Communication with your superiors When I started this job two months ago, I was told that upon hire, I could have a performance review after two months with a possible raise based upon the results of the review. This was promised to me since the company could not start me out at the wages I wanted. It has been two months and no speak of any review. A couple of people around the office have mentioned that they, too, have been forgotten when it comes time for performance reviews. I don't know how to approach this situation, because I don't know if the HR manager has forgotten, or doesn't have time, or maybe was just lying to get me to take the job. Should I ask her about it, or her assistant? Email or face to face? And should I tell her it is about time, or remind her in case she forgot, or pretend that I thought she knew about it all along and just ask her to remind me of when it will be? I really don't want to make her angry at me, because not only is she the HR manager, but she is my supervisor as well. What should I do? __________________ You don't know from fun.

04-30-2004, 06:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	I would talk to her directly and simply say, "I'd like to set up a time to conduct my two month review". There's no reason she should be mad at you for taking the initiative to get the ball rolling. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

04-30-2004, 07:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Polyphobic Runt Location: Denver	Or you can do what I like to do when this or a similar situation arises. I'm a chicken shit with my superiors. I pose it as a question. "[insert name of superior here], when did you say my first review was? I seem to have forgotten. " This can serve to remind the superior without making them feel like an ass. __________________ <--The great infidel-->

05-01-2004, 06:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
sprocket Psycho Location: In transit	Its typical. They will not be knocking down your door to give you more money. The reasons you get prompt reviews in corperate america are: a) You are about to be fired b) You are an invaluble employee and they have reason to beleive you are going to leave the company (just being an invaluble employee doesnt count. They will put off paying you more for as long as possible if this is the case) c) You irritate the ever living shit out of your employer/manager/HR person (whoever you need to) about getting your review, until you get it. Dont forget that they promised you the review. Your entitled. Dont let them make you feel like a jackass for asking for what you deserve (and what they owe). __________________ Remember, wherever you go... there you are.

05-03-2004, 07:29 AM	#9 (permalink)
Rubyee I'm baaaaack!	Thanks, everyone! I will let you all know how it turns out. __________________ You don't know from fun.

04-30-2004, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	I was sort of in the same position when I was first hired in, 5 years ago. What I did was e-mail HR first, then talk to my superior. Of course I didn't get a raise out of, but did have the review anyhow.

05-01-2004, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
scott2162 Insane Location: USA	If I was in management, I would wait until you mentioned it to me. I'd figure, why should I pay him more if I don't have to. I definitely mention it in a subtle way as described above.

05-02-2004, 08:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	I agree with the above: performance reviews are THE number one most neglected and broken HR promise. But it was a promise, and if you keep after them, they will keep it. Go to HR and schedule it. Don't leave until it's on the calendar.

05-03-2004, 09:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rubyee I'm baaaaack!	I did email the person, and the person denied saying anything about a review with possible raise after two months, and that they usually do it at 6 months. Of course, I didn't get it down in writing, but it is pretty sad when you have to get stuff like that down in writing. It is giving me a little more insight on how this company is run, that's for sure. I don't know where it is going to go from here. __________________ You don't know from fun.

05-04-2004, 03:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
scott2162 Insane Location: USA	It does suck that now you feel like you have to keep track of every little thing that's said. I work for a large company and if I don't keep track of emails, it's basically my word against management and I'll lose every time. It's sad, but seems like just the way corporations are run these days.

05-04-2004, 05:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
rockzilla Junkie Location: The Kitchen	Sucks that you didn't get it in writing. That happened to me at my current job a few months ago. After some pestering, sabre-rattling, and resume passing, I got my review (and got two raises within 2 months of each other), and a written statement that said when my next review had to be performed by (June 22nd). I guard that sheet of paper with my life. It definitely sucks when you can't trust your employer to keep their word, but I've learned it's always good to protect yourself and get stuff like that in writing no matter what.

05-05-2004, 08:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
agball Insane Location: Long Island	The objective on any good company is to get the most out of people and pay them as little as possible. Unfortunate, but true of most sucessful businesses. If I were in your situation I would simply go to the person who promised you the 2 month review. Say to them, "When you hired me, you told me that I would have a review after 2 months.""It has been X month and I have not heard anything." When are we going to have it?" I would expect them to say that they still cant afford to give you want you want. Dont be afaid to bring the situation to the table, they are not going to fire you for asking. Once they know you will stay even if they dont give you the review or the raise, they know they own you no matter what and will continue to take advantage. Be Firm. __________________ "A friend with weed is a friend indeed"