finalzero

Got bit of a dilema at work.

Joined my company in Feb this year and so far had a great time, got to travel to Sydney and meet up the guys at Subaru HQ in Sydney, prodrive day out and a few other perks but had a some news today thats made me feel sick in the stomach.

I have been working hard on a project, with the intention of getting somewhere and thankfully I got the offer of promotion into a new role, developing .NET solutions specialising in portal technology.

Out of the developers I would be the only one working on it, so lots of responsibility but scope to shine out with my talents. I was informed by soon to be new manager that he would ask for a new contract to be drawn up so I will be on the same terms as the other developers.

Everything good so far, got confirmation by our department head that I would move into my new role next week. I thought great, I have not even been there a year and I have shown my commitment and ambition.

But then I get some news that totally floors me, I was in a meeting with my new manager today, after a while I popped the question "so have you guys drawn up my new contract?" - thats when he gave me the bad news.

Apparently he and my existing manager approached the department head, advised him that they felt I deserved XYZ package consisting of a large pay rise (in comparison to what I am on) and other perks. My department head turns around and comes out with some weasel excuse that the budget is non existent this year so they can't give me the promotion as such. Instead he was calling it a sideways promotion with only a department and title change.

My new manager tried to fight my case, asked for at least a small pay rise to give me an incentive but he got a flat out no. Our department head wouldn't even listen to his arguement.

Then he turns around and tells my new manager that I would get a review next Feb (when my 1 year is complete) and they would review my salary etc - but I know in my company this usually means a £500 pay increase and pat on the back.

So I am at a dilema, as much as I am loyal to my company and love working where I am (and looking forward to a new career in the company) I feel gutted right now and really can't see how I am going to carry on working with the above nagging away in my mind.

Why should I work as hard if not harder than the other developers (and I will be, I have an entire API to learn, a framework to administer and many other ersponsbilities, not the luxury of working with standard .NET code or other developers to lean on) - and not get rewarded for it.

So I have told my new manager that I will put my head down and work till Feb, if I am not offered the package that he asked for, then I won't do work that I am not getting paid for and I will have to seriously consider my place in the company.

He was very supportive and said he would back me up come Feb and argue that I have proven myself to deserve the new pay (which incidently is £8,000 more than what I am getting now).

I am so angry, almost wanted to take some time off work to calm down but right now am in the middle of a large project handover which is adding even more stress.

What to do? What would you do in my situation? I m not getting any younger so I risk being out of work for a while if I leave, especially in such a saturated IT market and I would have to start from the bottom again, would be a waste of all the hardwork I have put in this year.

Should I get legal advice? Even this idea troubles me, I really don't want to cause tension in the office between myself and other senior people (incidently the department head was my first manager when I started, with my new manager being my 3rd).

I have had to work damn hard everytime no matter where I have been, not having any formal qualifications like a degree meant I was rejected for many jobs or simply ignored when it came to taking on more interesting work - my current company being the exception, I was at least given lots of oppertunity at the beginning.

Sorry for the rant... majorly pissed at the moment about this :s

cnj

I know how you feel. I'm in a similar situation at the moment. I said something similar to you. I told my manager (who completely agreed with me) that I'd give it 12 months, and if nothing appeared in the way of recognition for my work then I'd start looking elsewhere. I don't mind giving it 12 months because I actually enjoy the job, and it adds to my CV and experience.

finalzero

Aye, been chatting about it to a few mates and they advised I should at least take the oppertunity as I won't get it again - learn what I can and move on, at least with the experience I will be able to command the salary somewhere else.

David Lock

Calm down - your mates are right. IMHO it would be better to stay and have a year at least on your cv whilst learning and gaining solid experience. Forget the legal advice bit. I guess you have an annual review in Feb' so you can record your views then. Call them ambitions rather than moans. Of course there's nothing to stop you keeping a wary eye out for other jobs that are around. But don't sulk and leave without getting something else first. And I should think most people in their working lives could give examples of promotion/pay rise promises that vanished in the proverbial. Good luck. dl

what would scooby do

As above, take the job get it on your CV then walk.

davegtt

Experience but also remember, not many people go to work and thoroughly enjoy what theyre doing. Aslong as your earn enough to fund your current lifestyle then be happy

Superintendent Gene Hunt

That's life I'm afraid! and to be honest the problem is a management one, not yours... although you will feel hard done by!

It's expectation management, or never promise anything that you can't deliver! Your manager (new departmental one) shouldn't make sweeping statements regarding your salary unless he has the authority and ability to instigate the changes!

Put your head down and work hard, learn what you can and in a few months reassess your situation... if you are still unhappy... look for another job and then jump ship!

Its bad enough working for a living... but working for a bunch of ***** is even worse!!

David Lock

So Hunt - you seemed to have earned yourself a promotion

mrtheedge2u2

I can understand your frustration as I have been there myself..... all I would say is work hard till Feb' and then if the expected payrise does not occur then start to look seriously at your future within the company.

Superintendent Gene Hunt

If you can't get rid of a c**t........ promote them

finalzero

Thanks for the replies, always welcome (and why I posted on here, needed some level headed responses).

I am not bothered about the whole promotion tbh, it has been something I worked towards and to be frank, my expectations were quite low (so as to avoid dissappointment) but its the whole ***** up our dept head has done that annoys me.

He is obviously incapable of managing people properly and its not the first time, we have lost 3+ people already due to the this situation.

Well I aired my views to my new manager and I have asked for him to present in writing some confirmation that I will be getting a new contract drawn up, regardless of pay - the crux of the sitatution is that I wasn't even offer a new contract so in effect I am still on the same contract for my current role, only doing a completely role as of Monday!

Life is too short so **** it, oppertunities don't drop in peoples laps everyday and someone mentioned lifestyle, hehe as long as I get to keep my car's I am happy!