Annual merit increase (delayed?)

[ua_guy]

This year's budget has been delayed in the approval process, and as such, my employer has already notified me that any merit increases for this year will be postponed/uncertain, and will most likely not be retroactive, even if merit increases are improved. Personally, I've had a grand-slam of a year, so this was really diappointing news. I laid it on the line this last year, and I'm not really going to get anything for it.

My boss told me this as we were sitting in his office and not more than two sentences later, he's asking me to pick up additional responsibility, and to support a new application in addition to what I already do. So I literally asked him if I could have another week of vacation this year, and he said "probably not." So I said in regard to taking on a new application, "probably not." We had a good laugh about it, but I'm still expected to take on this new stuff, meanwhile my employer gets to skate by for a while without paying me anything extra, or maybe not until raises are evaluated again next year.

I'm not sure when "just" continued employment became a perk or benefit of the job--not in our current economy, anyway. I don't work for free, and my employer certainly doesn't give me anything extra or more than is owed. So why should I?

So part of this is just bitching. The other part is...what do I do? Is it time to look for another job, to see what my skills are worth to someone else? Do I wait it out? Do I just provide the same level of performance, but be resistant/combative to any additional responsibility unless it's a negotiation?

[JoeP]

On a philosophical note, I think every situation we encounter should be looked at as some sort of test. How one reacts to any situation can influence what happens down the road.

In this case (and I've been in a similar one), it may be wise to give your employer the same level of performance to show that it was not just temporary. Yeah, this may require swallowing your pride, and maybe faking your smile a little, but you will likely be recognized when things turn around.

In parallel, I would start quietly looking outside your company for options. It never hurts to do this anyway, even in good times.

[snafu]

What is the situation in your organization? Is the Executive suite giving itself important salary and benefit increases? Is the middle management group getting 3% - 5% increases? Are others at your level getting merit bonuses? Are attrition slots being filled or is the work being assigned to those remaining?

I suggest you add your bio on LinkedIn, look at opportunities and if you're genuinely unhappy, work on updating your resume. What are your salary expectations for your education/training and years of experience? How do those figures mesh with those in other, similar organizations? If the opportunity arose, could you succinctly explain how your efforts contributed more than routine value to the organization?

If this new task adds to your skill set, the experience will likely make you a more valuable employee. Do you think it's too early to start networking, talk to Headhunters and begin listing all possible employers within reasonable commuting distance. Would you be willing to re-locate for the right opportunity?

[corn18]

Find a good head hunting service and start shopping. Line up another job and then talk to your boss about what it would take for you to stay. If your skills are in demand, you have the leverage. If you are expendable, you will be replaced anyway. Best time to look for a job is when you already have one.

[feh]

Another vote to start looking for another job if you aren't compensated or treated fairly in your current position.

[disneysteve]

I don't think this is a question that a bunch of strangers on the internet can answer for you.

There are so many factors that go into making a job a good one that you want to keep. Salary is only one of those factors, albeit an important one. But you also have to consider things like the location of the workplace, the overall environment and culture on the job, your relationships with your coworkers and your superiors. Fringe benefits, both monetary and otherwise are important like health insurance, retirement plan, stock options, vacation time, etc.

About 15 years ago I left a good-paying job for a lower-paying position and I haven't been sorry for a moment. At the old job, I felt I wasn't being treated well. It wasn't about money. At this job, I'm treated fine. My work is respected and valued. My time is respected. My hours are better. My input is solicited before major decisions get made. Sure it would be nice to be earning more but not at the expense of all of those other things.

[ua_guy]

Thanks for the replies, and no, I know nobody can make the decision for me. But additional perspective or experiences are always helpful--that's where "internet strangers" come into play

I'm going to tread water for now. Unrelated to my job, I received some news yesterday that is going to force me to put any immediate job changes on hold. More on that in another thread.