I am overworked and underpaid. My last raise was in 2006 for 1%, and the one before that was 2002 for 2.5%. I have been at the same company 12 years. Last month I got 3 weeks sick leave due to the stress. First time ever I have not been at work. When I returned this week I very clearly told my bosses I would cut down to 4 days a week and needed a pay raise. They asked if they could not do either, would I quit? I said yes, I'd have them fire me! I said this clearly, firmly, because I mean it. I have been taken advantage of too long and it WILL end. They told me they needed a week. After 4 days they came back said I can work 4 days (with 4 day pay). No raise. I do not think it is enough. I have written a letter, but I have not sent it yet because it is an angry letter, and it needs to be professional and accurate, but not angry, kwim? Any comments welcome.
Dear boss,
...
1. the cut from 5 days to 4 is self-evident. Do whatever is necessary on your end to make it so.
2. My lack of pay is, unfortunately, also self-evident. You want to compare me to X(employee with same position that has been fired twice now)? He was fired in 1996(? mid 90's). He then asked for his job back, and got it; however with sharp pay cut, as "punishment" or "warning" or whatever you want to call it. And he got a mediocre yearly reviews. I have never been fired and consistently get good to very good reviews every year. And yet, even by ABCs calculations, (and he is a genius with figures), I still get paid 3% less than X did! The only way to take this message is that I am being underpaid and taken advantage of. I should be making, at minimum, what PDQ was making (another employee in same position but also recently fired with mass layoffs). And frankly, there is nothing you can say that will magically make me think my pay is reasonable or fair.
Let me also be very clear though, that I heard you when you said you did everything you could when discussing this with ABC. I believe you.
Since I can not adjust the company, I must adjust myself. I need to take care of myself 1st, 2nd and 3rd... So, as we discussed, I will no longer overwork, be stressed, and act as if I am making a high salary per month, but I will act appropriately for someone paid YXZ per month. As we also discussed, I am a very professional employee, and always will be professional, but I will NOT continue to overwork.
Kind regards,
employee
Dear boss,
...
1. the cut from 5 days to 4 is self-evident. Do whatever is necessary on your end to make it so.
2. My lack of pay is, unfortunately, also self-evident. You want to compare me to X(employee with same position that has been fired twice now)? He was fired in 1996(? mid 90's). He then asked for his job back, and got it; however with sharp pay cut, as "punishment" or "warning" or whatever you want to call it. And he got a mediocre yearly reviews. I have never been fired and consistently get good to very good reviews every year. And yet, even by ABCs calculations, (and he is a genius with figures), I still get paid 3% less than X did! The only way to take this message is that I am being underpaid and taken advantage of. I should be making, at minimum, what PDQ was making (another employee in same position but also recently fired with mass layoffs). And frankly, there is nothing you can say that will magically make me think my pay is reasonable or fair.
Let me also be very clear though, that I heard you when you said you did everything you could when discussing this with ABC. I believe you.
Since I can not adjust the company, I must adjust myself. I need to take care of myself 1st, 2nd and 3rd... So, as we discussed, I will no longer overwork, be stressed, and act as if I am making a high salary per month, but I will act appropriately for someone paid YXZ per month. As we also discussed, I am a very professional employee, and always will be professional, but I will NOT continue to overwork.
Kind regards,
employee
Exactly the kind of feedback I am looking for.
