Acquired! Day 179
What we have here, is a despicable situation. I was offered a new job, but my boss is preventing me from taking it. This new job would raise my base pay by $30,000 per year. I tried going over my boss’ head, but even the CEO is saying “no internal transfers for the rest of 2008″. This makes my blood boil. So what am I, their indentured servant? They are saying I can either keep my current job or quit. They won’t bump my pay. They won’t do anything. Oh, and if I “quit” my current business unit and try to get “re-hired” by the other one … they will block that too.
A part of me understands where they are coming from. We were a small company, and there are really only about five of us who can get things done. The new managers from the bigger business are also hungry for talent so they are going to try and steal us away. So for the sake of business continuity, they need to keep us in our current roles. I get that. However, it seems ridiculous that one part of the company would find me worth X and another part would find me worth X + $30,000. If I am worth that bigger number in one part, why am I not worth that to the other part?
I could quit, but I like this job and I get a pretty nice pile of stock options if I stay for four years. Also, I can transfer in 2009 and I know I’m in line for something big at that point. The problem is simple: they are asking me to trust them that something better will come if I am patient - but I don’t trust them. On the other hand, I know I am an inherently impatient person so there is a guilty little voice in my head telling me to stick around and wait for the big payoff.
So should I cut loose now, or stay for the long haul? It’s a tough call.
This is part of the Acquired! series.
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Like I wrote...
April 17th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Looks like a typical situation. Lots of promisses for the future, but work now and for cheap. From my experience these promisses rarely come true, usually company just works you till the point you are fed up and then you leave.
If I was you I would at least look for a backup plan right now.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:34 am
If you stay for a while longer and the transfer starts looking less likely, will you have gotten the projects or training you need/want to propel your career (even if not at the same company)? Or are you in a complete holding pattern (no more money no new experience/training)? No argument on formulation of backup plan.
April 17th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Someone made a poor decision by dangling a position in front of you you can’t take and you’re frustrated. However, until you have a job offer somewhere else that you COULD take, you don’t really have an option. Your company is pissing you off by confusing you, but they’re smart not to pay additional money if they don’t have to.
If you’re happy at your job and making decent money with genuine possibility for growth then enjoy that. If you want to see what your options are then informally pass your resume around and see if you really are worth $30k more right now. If you’re willing to leave, then it might be a good day to ask for more pay.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I empathize with your dilemma. You say the other position would pay $30K more than your current role. In general terms, that suggests the market value of that role is greater than the one you’re currently performing - but your employer is asking you to stay in the current role because you’re indispensable there.
At the end of the day, your ultimate weapon is to take a walk, but it sounds like there are good reasons to stay. Try negotiating a resolution that demonstrates your commitment to the company, while leveraging the power you obviously have in your current position.
There are a few negotiating tactics you could try:
*Ask for a timeline for transition to the other job; i.e. you commit to perform in your current role for another 6-12 mos. (or whatever is reasonable) in return for a commitment that the role (or equivalent) will be available.
*If they can’t commit to that, then I’d ask about bonus possibilities related to the current role - you’re being asked to pass on a richer opportunity, is there something you can get in return - more options, cash bonus, etc.
*Make sure you get any of these agreements in writing!
April 17th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Get it in writing if they offer anything. I’m 23 and already have been taken advantage of. I was offered higher pay but didnt get it in writing. They backed down on their offer and there isnt anything I can do about it now
April 17th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I do have a backup job, but from a salary perspective it would be a lateral move. There would be lots more room for growth, and I’d get a big title … but I dislike the idea of starting over.
As for threatening to quit, I have already hinted at that and they are all too ready to take it. Part of me thinks they are just playing hardball and I don’t know how to play back. I think the smart move is to try the negotiated approach suggested by Joyce. If that fails, then I show up with my other offer letter and go “all in”. Tell them they can pay me more or lose me.
Why can’t professional life just be easy?
April 18th, 2008 at 7:57 am
As Nate said, get it in writing. Signed, with a notary and lawyer if need be. If they aren’t willing to do that, then you’ll know how much they plan on following through.
Also, if you wait, who’s to say the new manager won’t fill the position with someone else?
April 18th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Yah, that’s the rub. The opening is now, so it may disappear. However, something better may crop up too. I need to get my act together a little bit. The HR guy said he would help me negotiate a deal between my manager and the one who wants to hire me … this may mean they’ll hold the position. However, HR-man has faded into the ether. I need to find him and get him going. Also, I plan on updating my resume this weekend and starting to pursue other offers that are higher-paying than my current alternative.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
Dan,
I agree with Joyce on this. At my last stop, I was overworked and underpaid, did all the work. L1 -> Engineering, you name it. So my boss at the time submitted my review for a 20% raise. HR immediately shoots that idea down stating my job title did not warrant the salary if the raise were approved nor did the ‘Company’ approve annual raises beyond 9%, on top of that there was no merit program in 2007 and the 2008 merit program would not kick in until March 1, 2008.
Now, being a high producer, I gracefully listened to the BS and smiled, knowing damn well they were paying WAY below market value. I know I was the youngest of the team but fair compensation is all I ask. If I’m the project lead on 65% of projects, it clear shows that I was THE HIGHEST producer.
So calling HR’s bluff, I sent my resume out for some feelers and get my own assessment of my market value.
Sure enough 2 weeks later, I aced a phone interview and 3 rounds of face to face. Ultimately I received a job offer that allowed for me to move 2 steps up and a 30K raise.
So when it was time to meet with HR to discuss my bosses merit submittal, knowing damn well they were only going to offer the max- 9%;
I walked in smiled and before HR had any words, i kindly submitted my letter of resignation and took the day off.
So, Dan, please evaluate your current gig with where you want to be in 2 years and ask yourself if the management can support and foster your goals.
In the end, sometimes it is better to move out and up than wait for a train that hasn’t even left the station.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Time to go around your boss. Have you been networking with people in other areas of the company, perhaps someone in an executive capacity or at least the boss of your boss? If so, go to those people and ask for advice. If you have a mentor, ask that person for advice.
What works well in one organization won’t in another so don’t risk your job in tough economy like this by jumping into action without the necessary information. Find out what other people in your situation did in the past and how it worked out for them.
If your organization’s owner or CEO has an open door policy or eats lunch in the cafeteria, ask for five minutes or to meet him/her for a cup of coffee. Explain that you really like the organization and want to advance but are finding your path blocked by rules that you feel are working to the detriment of the organization.
Remember that everything needs to be for the betterment of the organization. What you want and need isn’t relevant to the shareholders unless it is for the betterment of the organization.