Am I over-reacting? 1

[AeroEng33]

I've been with this US government agency for 1.5 years now. Before I accepted the job offer I was told I could expect a promotion and a 50% increase in salary after 1.5 because of the special pay schedule we are on (don't have it in writing). I've had 2 informal reviews since accepting the offer, and both time I was reassured by my boss I can expect the raise in 1.5 years. Now that 1.5 years is here, and I just had my review there was no mention of that major promotion. When I brought it up I was told it normally takes more than 1.5 years. The next day I approached my 3 different supervisors individually, heard different excuses and was told they would go back and review my situation again. So now one of my bosses came back and told me they had decided to hold of on the promotion for now only because people don't usually get in 18 months, more like 20 to 24 months. They all thought my performance has been great, the only reason I didn't get it was because "you don't usually get the promotion in 18 months". I know several people with my experience level who's gotten in 12 to 18 months so I think they are not being upfront with me. I was pretty upset for a few days but has since gotten over it. But I now has lost all respect for my supervisors. Probably might even consider switching jobs. Also, on the day of the annual review I wore a dress shirt with a tie and ran into my supervisors before the meeting and was told to take my tie off because it was not needed. I wasn't very happy about that either.

I am not angry anymore but still hurt. Am I over-reacting? I didn't think this is the way things ought to be.

 

[AeroEng33]

To clarify, my starting wage was SUPER LOW and that's why getting the promotion meant a lot to me. I got an okay raise and was told I had one of the largest percentage increase compared with my peers. But even with this percentage my salary is still considered low, just not SUPER LOW.

 

[lostsailor]

AeroEng33,
I've been where you are and can empathize. In the 19 years since I graduated from college I've seen and heard this exact same situation ad nauseum. My read on this would be to start sending resumes out and try to line up a couple of solid offers to coincide with the 24 month window your supervisors mentioned. At the end of that period bring the subject up again and if it doesn't work out to your satisfaction be prepared to play hard ball. Unfulfilled promises of future compensation are rife within all professions. I'm glad to read you got over it, look at it as a learning experience. I wish you luck in your negotiations.
Regards,
RLS

 

[automatic2]

No, I don't think your over reacting. This career thing is highly personal. It does however reflect on your superiors. Government job you say, better toughin that hide.

 

[MikeHalloran]

No, Aero, not over- reacting. Reacting like an honest, trusting person who's been lied to.

If you can get a better wage, take it, and go.

Do not entertain or accept counter- offers; bureaucrats will use them to delay your departure until it is most convenient for them, and most inconvenient for you, and will use the intervening time to drain your self- confidence and besmirch your reputation.



Mike Halloran
NOT speaking for
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust Inc.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA

 

[HVAC68]

You are not over-reacting at all. But, I wonder why you didn't take the raise which was promised in writing ???

HVAC68

 

[corus]

This is quite common in industry where they hire you on a low wage and then promise you 'jam tomorrow'. Basically you've been had/conned/hoodwinked, however you want to call it. Repeated requests will only lead to more promises of jam, either in the form of higher wages/prmomotion or sainthood, take your pick. The chances are none will materialise.
Two years is sufficient time to have gained useful experience. Use it to find another job.

corus

 

[TheTick]

The only time I was "promised" a raise, it was in writing. The requirements to get the raise were attainable and well defined.

Verbal promises are worth the paper they are written on.

Trustworthy people act in a trustworthy manner and have no problem committing their words to writing.

Another trap is the "career builder" promise: "We don't pay much, but most go on to bigger and better paying things."

p.s. I got the raise earlier than promised.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[BobPE]

You are very well justified in your reaction. I call it the carrot on the stick syndrom. You managers put the stick on your back and the carrot in front of you knowing that you will never reach the carrot. But they continually point the carrot out to you and how they will help you reach it.

I am fresh off a job (last 6 months) where I was set up the same way. Note, I am no longer working there. I got my raise and promotion and then some by finding a new firm that needed my services more than the old one. The key is, you are in the drivers seat. I don't think that applies to all jobs, but as an engineer, they need the skills you have to offer. They cannot make up for not having you there by having a non-engineer fill your shoes...As lostsailor said, prepare to play hard ball; know what you want, take the managers to task in a constructive way, then act.

Let us know how you make out...

BobPE

 

[sms]

1) Always get it in writing. If it is not in writing, don't expect your employer to stand by it.

2) Start looking for another job, and as mentioned before, don't accept a counter offer when you turn in your resignation. If you find something better before the 24 months is up great. If 24 months comes by and you have not found something else maybe you'll get lucky and they will stand by their word. Maybe not. If not really look hard for something else.

3) On your next job, don't accept the offer until all the terms (especially relocation) are presented in writing. My classic experience with this was when I took a job based on the company's promise that there was a relocation package. Turned out the relocation package was that they would pay for a U-haul and I could move myself. That was it nothing else. I had already resigned from my current job, so I was stuck and moved myself, much to the dismay and consternation of my wife. What made it worse was that after starting with the new company I found in their HR documents a copy of the relocation policy and came to realize that I had been ripped off by a director that was trying to save money in his budget. The policy included complete relocation including movers and packers, and even assistance with the sale of the employee's home. I received none of that.

 

[AeroEng33]

thank you all for the feedback. i just expected more from my boss who hired me on. i've started my job search already. not getting the expected promotion will put me in a huge disadvantage when it comes to salary negotiation, but we'll see how it goes. i'll definitely get the promises in writing next time.

 

[davidinindy]

The job I just got downsized from hired me in at a low salary, with the promise incremental raises at 6 months and 1 year. Well, to make a long story short. I didn't get it in writing, the General Manager got fired, I never got my 6 month raise, and got let go at 8 months. Seemed the GM hired me without the CEOs consent... Now they want to do the engineering in Switzerland.
Bottom line, get all details of an offer in writing.

 

[ashejen]

Aeroeng33 - as a fellow federal govt employee, I can sympathize. Some things to check - is your agency in a promotion freeze right now? Are they limited to the number of GS/ND/NA-XX level employees and can't have any more? Have you met the minimum time in grade requirements? Were you on a standard promotion schedule?

The Fed govt does start pay very low (I started 10k less than my other offers...took it because of promotion potential, rapid pay increases and OT pay). If you can get in the right position though, you can jump pretty fast.

Also - not everywhere in the fed govt is like that. Might be worth it to look around at usajobs, as it's easier to get another fed job once you're "in".

 

[buzzp]

Federal departments dont treat people the same from office to office. Example, I am sure you have other offices located in the US under the same department. Often these other offices will treat people totally different (wages) than other offices. Try looking for a job at another office within (or not within) the same department.
I have been with the feds for about two years and have made the grade promised but I know I can get even higher if the boss pushes. As for the special salary table, this will soon be obsolete. You will notice that each year, we get smaller raises while those on the standard pay table get larger annual raises. Until someone pitches a fit about low engineer wages, the special salary tables will go away (except IT, they seem to be moving up quickly and make more than engineers, dont figure).

 

[AeroEng33]

ashejen,

i am not aware of any promotion freezes right now. i know of people who got promoted just a few months ago.

i've heard of the GAO promises GS-13 or GS-14 within a year after starting out at GS-12, but not sure if that's true.

I would like to buy a house in California eventually so I don't think I will stay with the gov't forever.

 

[jmw]

I know it's been said in another thread, (because I was one of those who said it), and that's that the best time to negotitate your pay and conditions is when they hire you. That's when they are weakest (they have a vacancy to fill) and when you are strongest.

They are at their strongest when you already work for them.

Now, you are at your most strong when you already have a job, so you are weakest when trying for your first job.
What you lost in the negotiating stakes you gained in work experience and you are now stronger for your next job interview.

The advice given above is good, get your CV upto date, get it out there (and post on the internet job sites) but don't put you current salary in it. In fact, you can legitimately leave a bit of data blank with "available on request" (i.e. serious interest only), this is often also the case for references.

Then be ready to play hardball: at job interviews and at your next performance review.

Opinions vary but my personal view is not threaten your current employers with leaving.
That is something you keep in reserve.
Just knowing you have these options will let you be more assertive without them knowing why.
But, in my opinion, if you "force them" to make you a good deal you might only get it because they need to keep you happy long enough to find a replacement.

Understand your employers position and behaviour. Most employers operate on the principal that no-one is indispensible and that there are plenty of people queuing up for every job they have and their attitude is often "if you don't like it, you know what you can do!".

So, if you don't get satsifaction, excercise your options.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com