I'm in a pickle.

[omgjacki]

Here's the deal. I've been working for Company X for almost four years. I believe as of May 11th it'll be four years. I was hired at a rate of $X.xx/hour. At the time, it was more than reasonable since it was my first job and I was still in high school.

Over the years I have done more than my share of work here. I have done things that weren't part of my job description to help others and to avoid downtime. Which means I was doing other peoples' jobs on top of my own. There have been countless times when I was called in on my days off because someone else didn't/couldn't/wouldn't show up for work and I always hustled to get there as soon as I could, never said no, and never gave anyone a hard time about it.

I have never been late. I have never called out. I have never taken time off without at least two weeks notice. I always come back when they're in a jam.

Most recently, the cashier that worked 8-4 called in one day and said she wasn't coming back. She gave no notice and I was more than willing to fill in. Of the other two cashiers, one is going back to school soon and the other has a one year old she needs to worry about. I'm the only one that is readily available at any given time.

There have been three occasions, that I remember, where I have sat down with the managers and asked for a raise. Each time it has been taken as a joke. Literally. One of the managers actually told me to stand on a chair if I wanted a raise. I brushed this off mostly because my mom also works for the company. I shouldn't be worried about making things harder on her. We are co-workers when we are here together and I receive no special treatment, nor do I treat her differently than I do the other employees. I want to be able to go to the manager, privately, and tell him how I feel without worrying if it'll affect her.

To this day, I am still making the same rate I was hired at. After almost four years! Both of the other cashiers here each make about $2.00/hour than me. People have been hired after me at near $1.00 more than me. I haven't brought this up because it's supposed to be 'confidential' but this isn't fair.

Other than this bull****, I enjoy being here. I'm comfortable here and I know the job and its tasks with my eyes closed. However, I'm making **** money and I'm lucky to get 20 hours a week.

What's your input on this situation? I don't want to quit but things just aren't going my way. I will take another shot at asking for a raise but what should I do if I don't get it? I MORE than deserve what I'll be asking for. Can I apply for partial unemployment if I don't get a raise? I've never applied, nor have I ever even considered it but something's gotta give.

Any insight on the matter is greatly appreciated.

[EklipzGSXkid]

Start putting in applications elsewhere. You ARE just another number, To them. Weather you want to believe it or not, It shows in just one post of yours talking about the situation. Talk to someone who is in charge, Not the manager, Talk to the person who signs your paychecks. Explain the situation to him/her and hope they understand. I don't now how anyone can survive on a x.xx /hr rate anymore. Basically one day of work will buy you fuel for your vehicle. The next day, One days work will buy you and a friend/loved one a meal from a fast food place, ETC. It's not even worth it to work a job like that, In my opinion...Unless you have no bills, And are young enough that you just want a few extra dollars, And have nothing to do with your time, And live at home.

I would look at it as (Do you want to be there in the same position, Making the same income, In another four years?) It's better to find a place of employment at a company where you CAN grow, And get raises/ETC like you deserve. The longer you stay at your current place of employment, The longer you will remain making no money, And being miserable (Weather you admit it or not, You posted the thread so it's definatly bothering you).


So, What you need to do? Go directly to the man or women who is in charge, And tell them exactly what you wrote here. Anything else, You'll be making alot more of these threads because nothing will get better.

[Big_Jim]

Are there annual reviews in your company?
Edit: is there a HR manager that you can speak with?

[hulkster]

if its a union job you get your raises within what the contract says.during these harsh times and cashiers being a dome a dozen you dont have much bargening power. and generally in these types of jobs people who come after you will make more money then you,the same way someone whoes been at that same company for like 20 years most likely started out at 4 bucks an hour where you started out at much more after them.but im sure these managers have the power to give a raise but why should they. cashiers are replaceable.anyone is for that matter these days.
and your not gonna get partial unemployment unless you went from full time to part time.

[omgjacki]

Originally Posted by hulkster

cashiers are replaceable.anyone is for that matter these days.

As much as I agree with this statement, there's a reason they keeping calling me back even when they know I have a job elsewhere. They know they can hire other people quicker than I can quit but this place is cheap and lazy. It costs them money to send someone out for a drug test and to put someone on the insurance or whatever else they need to do. Then they have to train them and babysit for a week and blah blah blah. That's why they keep calling me back. Because I know the job better than anyone and there's no effort involved.

[Elliott18t]

put out you resume...NOW.

/thread

[omgjacki]

Originally Posted by Elliott18t

put out you resume...NOW.

/thread

I have, to quite a few places.

[omgjacki]

The general manager of this specific branch of the company is the one who says whether I get a raise or not and he's the one that told me to stand on a chair. HR just does the paperwork.

[Big_Jim]

Originally Posted by omgjacki

The general manager of this specific branch of the company is the one who says whether I get a raise or not and he's the one that told me to stand on a chair. HR just does the paperwork.

Going to the HR manager because of something offensive that your GM said is a quick way to have your questions answered.

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

Going to the HR manager because of something offensive that your GM said is a quick way to have your questions answered.

This, but its also an easy way to make things uncomfortable for the other family that works there. You would be in the right but at the end of the day, is it worth it for this job? I would of been searching for a new job years ago if I was still at my starting salary.

[Elliott18t]

dont even deal with it anymore, just find another job. I've had fun at other jobs before... but in the end the hours and pay where just **** and that ended up bothering me more.. So i searched new opportunities..



your new job is now sending out resumes.. i mean like 10-20 a day, not like 10-20 a month

[Renegade_]

When that start happening to me, I would quit the job and get another one.

Always make a move up or laterally, never back. Any job that does that to you really isn't worth keeping or pursuing. Get another job, make em want you back.

[mcperson2k]

Well without knowing what you do, I can only assume your working in retail.. My suggestion would be to find a job that doesn't rely on taking advantage of high school kids for cheap labor...

[Elliott18t]

look for jobs at a real company IMO.. not a retail chain store.

[hulkster]

Originally Posted by Elliott18t

look for jobs at a real company IMO.. not a retail chain store.

a job is a job.

[omgjacki]

I work at an Acura dealership...

[Elliott18t]

oh lol, well id look elsewhere still

[angdefeo]

im sorry to say but you dont have much leverage in this situation.

you might be able to make them appreciate you more by not being so helpful when you do more than is expected or working extra hours and picking up shifts when your not scheduled to work. both might not be "nice" things to do but by not getting a raise in 4 years or being told to stand on a chair is treating the manager the same way they treated you.

[420sx]

Hostess Brands!

[11secdsm]

I couldn't imagine going 4 years without a raise. I give all of my employees an annual performance evaluation for 2 reasons...

1. There raise is dependent on that. (this means I give them a yearly raise)
2. It helps them become better at their job and gives me an idea of their concerns, etc.


I'm very surprised there aren't annual reviews at an established business like that. Seems very unprofessional to me. If you've spoken to your boss and expressed your concerns and haven't gotten anywhere, then i'd start looking elsewhere actively. Good luck!