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I have an interesting situation which I would love to hear comments on. 

About a year ago I moved into a "functional" position outside of IT for several reasons, one being to get an experience outside of IT.   The job was a great fit, but was a level below my current level.  When I moved I got "grandfathered" into my existing benefits / pay etc. 

When my review came up recently, I discovered that my salary (due to having higher level in the previous role) was outside of the current level's range and therefore I wouldn't qualify for a raise.  This of course was news to me.  I am OK with my salary but this implies that I will never get a raise again as long as I am in this position.  I didn't want to dwell on the topic in the review, however reflecting on this more, it is becoming a concern.

Any thoughts / suggestions on what to do?  Should I bring it up in my next one on one?  What type of questions should I be asking?  The job is set at this level and will not be changed - I already checked into this one.

Thanks!

mattpalmer's picture

I assume that you didn't enquire into the pay/raises issue before you moved into the new role?  If you did, and the situation you're now in wasn't disclosed, then that's a bit cruel, but apart from that I think you're doing pretty well out of the deal.  You're getting paid more than you should be for the work you're doing -- I can imagine a great many companies not being that accomodating.

As long as you're getting paid more than the going rate for the work you're doing, you're on a good thing -- the alternative, if you want an annual raise, would likely be to go back to being paid the standard rate for the job and then getting the standard pay rise (which would result in you getting less money, overall).  I would expect that as inflation moved the pay rate for your role above what you're currently getting, your pay would increase to the standard level for the role, and you'd be on the standard pay scale from there.

I always ask myself two questions when I'm thinking, "that's not fair!" in my own life -- "What would I think about this situation if I was on the other side?" and "What do I really want?".  Then I consider whether what I want and how things look are "fair" from both sides of the situation.  I don't always manage to be fair and objective, but it does help whenever I can let the red mist settle and see things at least somewhat objectively.

duplicate_account_MarkAus's picture

I don't know the details of your particular sitution but It sounds like you didn't move for money, you moved for opportunity.  

If that's the case, you should be concentrating on getting your next role (at a higher payscale) rather than worry about getting a small raise in your current role.

The company probably saw the move you made as a development opportunity and expects you to take that new experience to move on in your career at the company.   I doubt they would have let you get paid more than your colleagues if they didn't see it as an investment in you and your potential value to the company.

In other words, they want you to progress.   Do that and get the rewards there rather than focussing on the short term.

And, to be mercinary about it, you're going to have a next to impossible chance of convincing them to pay you even more in a job where the market pays considerably less than what you're already getting.   It makes no financial sense to do that.

 

 

 

kpsi355's picture

A previous poster assumed that the market rate for your position was lower, which I suppose is true for your company.  But perhaps in your industry or your location salaries are higher?  Perhaps you could use that as part of your argument.  I don't think it will work for you in this instance at this time, but it may allow your company to stay competitive after you move to your next position.  Your compensation in this situation is the information and experience you gain, which you knew when you applied for it.  And you knew the level was lower than your previous position.  Chalk it up to a learning experience, make your case to your boss but I wouldn't get attached to getting a raise this year.