This is the drill, isn’t it? You work hard. You come to the office on time. After a couple of years’ worth of successful projects, your employers will call you to inform you that you will receive a raise for your good work. You don’t have to ask for it because they will see your effort. Isn’t that how it works?
But that’s not reality. The truth is that you will work harder than you’ve ever worked in your life. You will skip your lunch break and won’t even have time for your significant other. But when you thought you’d done everything to deserve a raise, your boss will promote someone else. When you master enough courage to ask for a raise, your bosses will tell you there’s no money yet for that kind of a raise. They’ll “promise” to give you one when the company does better.
You’ve heard that excuse before. In truth, you were expecting it. You’re expecting it so much you’re ready to take this problem to the labor department. Halt right there, are you sure this is the right avenue? Shouldn’t you ask for mediation in your employment woes first so you can find a better solution to this predicament?
Don’t Quit Just Like That
It’s easy to think about quitting your job in the heat of the moment. You were disheartened. You believe you deserve that raise, and yet, your boss refused to give it to you. Yes, you probably should consider leaving your job. Before you do, ask these questions: Do I love this job? Do I help others through it? When was the last time I had a raise? Is it true that the company isn’t doing well? Does your job make you happy?
Most of the time, it’s more than about the money. This pandemic makes it impossible for companies to give anyone a raise, considering that they’ve been hit pretty bad by the coronavirus outbreak. This isn’t the right time to ask for a raise. You have to consider the many other factors that impact your work. If you just received a raise six months ago, you should understand why your boss isn’t ready to give you one right now.
Ask Again in the Future
Plan to ask for a raise in the future again. Don’t be discouraged that your employers did not give you the raise right now. If, for the second time, they refused to give you what you think you deserve, then that’s the time to rethink your position. Does your company value your contributions? Let your employers know that you plan to take up this discussion again in the future.
According to a survey, 18% of employees have never received a raise, while more than 26% haven’t received a raise in over a year. The reasons vary from employees failing to ask for a raise at the right time to poor employee performance to employers refusing to consider raising their employees’ salaries. Over the years, salary increase budgets in the United States raised only slightly by 3.2% every year.
But Yes, It’s Okay to Think About Quitting
Once you’ve exhausted all your means, it’s time to think about leaving a company that doesn’t value you. If you cannot find good reasons why you shouldn’t get paid the amount you want, why do you have to stay? Take a look at how other companies are paying your peers for the same work. If the gap is too wide, you should think about finding other employment. There is no use in staying with a company that doesn’t pay you enough.
People should only stay with a company if they see growth—in their careers and salaries—in the future. There is no other good reason for staying with a company unless you’re working for an advocacy group representing your beliefs. Too many people don’t think highly of themselves that they allow employers to take advantage of their skills and talent. Believe in yourself enough that you will find the right company that will value your contributions.
It is always disheartening to realize that you might have to leave a company that is dear to your heart. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and you developed a fascination for what you do. It also involves leaving your colleagues behind. But in any case, you should always put your career and personal fulfillment above your loyalty to a company. You should never let anyone make you question your commitment to achieving your goals.
