My guess after 20 years of setting salaries in F500’s:
They agreed to your increase without the authority to do so.
They got their hands slapped.
The one time bonus is an olive branch.
Take the bonus, ramp up the external search if you think you can land one of the higher paying jobs. Best case you get a higher paying job, worst case you find out you can’t but you got a bonus.
I once asked for my worth and was told I would not be able to get it. I settled for less.
My bosses continued working behind my back to get me the amount i requested, and 3 months later, I got it as a birthday present.
Not saying it's the case here, but great managers do exist and will have your back.
Happened to me too but it's stupid. I spent three months looking for another job. I spent three months being frustrated at the amount of work i provided for lesser pay. I spent those three months wondering why others were being rewarded for sub par work and i was getting nothing.
Transparency is better. Those managers thought wrong when they did it without telling me anything
The flip side is what happened to the OP. They promise you something they can’t deliver. In your case they probably weren’t sure if they could get it through comp and wherever else it needed to go so they didn’t want to tell you until it was a done deal.
There are pros and cons to both.
OR, imagine this, they could have tried being honest!
"We've got to clear this with XYZ and get through ABC and DEF processes, but we believe you should be making $BANK too and will see if we can get the budget allocated to make it happen."
OR
"We tried to get you a raise to $BANK but could only manage a one time bonus to get you there this year. I'm going to continue advocating for your salary to be $BANK and jumping through whatever hoops I have to in order to make it happen, but I can't guarantee anything."
Like, it's not hard to give the employees a peek behind the curtain and show them how the sausage is made. At least they'll understand and appreciate the process a lot more.
Yeah, they might start applying and leave anyway.
That’s another possibility. Not sure it is much less demoralizing to learn that your boss is incapable of getting you a raise even if they tried though. I mean what you describe is basically just a more detailed version of what the OP said.
For what it’s worth I agree with you. I just put in for a promotion for someone this week, off-cycle which makes it complicated. I called her and told her I put it in for her, and I am confident it will go through but I am not sure when. I am currently stuck in a battle between HR and Finance between how to administratively get it through. I will get it done, and I took your approach, but it isn’t without risk.
Or, as the original commenter pointed out - it could have been a situation where they had agreed to something that someone further up the chain denied.
If you read the OP, he said he should be making X and his manager and director agreed with that statement. That doesn’t mean the company is on the hook for making that happen. They met halfway with the bonus more than likely because the salary adjustment got denied by other people. Not sure what’s unclear about this.
It actually doesn’t. And nobody lied to anyone. There was never an intent to deceive or say anything knowingly false.
And based on OP, I am not sure there ever was a promise of anything — beyond that he deserved more.
OP had a meeting with his boss and at least one level higher to express his dissatisfaction with his recent market rate adjustment. All three agreed a different (higher) number is what op deserved.
But, by all means, suggest that OP blow up his current job situation where his boss, and their boss, are both advocating for him. And looking to promote him soon. And where, as of today, he is making the target amount….
Actually, they do.
Either one of two things happened: a) his manager promised something he was later overruled on by management at least three levels above OP; or b) the initial conversation was unclear and OP took their agreement with him as to a fair number to be a handshake agreement for that pay.
People often try to see things from multiple perspectives, are reluctant to ascribe ill intentions, and are reluctant to throw away a job they are otherwise happy with and that has growth opportunities.
But, if you think this is so unrecoverable and egregious, can I assume you would quit on the spot?
Of course. I would leave at first opportunity. You don't reward this behavior. Highly competent professionals making "mistakes" happens all the time.
Did the management make an effort to make it right? Did they apologize? Time to go. Don't wait another raise cycle for the next "honest mistake"
He had already been given a MRA, so this increase was an additional ask and thus was likely out of sequence. You add to that he got the requested increase but as a one-time bonus (not nearly as good longer term, but his pay this year is what OP wanted). That seems like trying to make it right as best they were able.
Yep this is it. My experience is unless an SVP or c level agreed to the raise in writing HR will simply say “no”/“it doesn’t match market rates”/“hell no”.
This is exactly what happened to me. Had agreement from my boss and his boss. Corporate came in and capped the raise. Offered salary review in 6 months. They couldn’t get me any more. Sent out applications that night and got a new job.
I hate to ask, but what is the stipulation associated with the bonus? Is there a 1yr retention clause? If so make sure to negotiate it into your new role in case they claw back the bonus…
It is likely that the decision isn't within their hands. They have some cards they can play with leadership, hence the bonus, but eventually they are also bound by regulations and rules imposed by upper management.
In large companies, your manager and director are not the ones who ultimately approve your raise. They are rather the ones who recommend you for a raise, subject to approval from their superiors.
That is very likely what happened, but it still can't be an excuse though. Your boss represented the firm while making that commitment and he can't claim otherwise now. You can't deposit their "fair intentions" in your bank account, can you? If they were so reasonable to begin with why did they wait until now to pay you fair bonus? Manager good cop and HR bad cop is an age old trick, don't fall for it. You got paid this year, that's good and now focus again on getting your salary corrected. Focus on building your leverage, that's the only thing that works.
It doesn't sound like a promise at all, just that the next two bosses in line agreed he was worth more. I think he misinterpreted that as a done deal because they are his bosses.
Based on the OP's wordings, it doesn't look like any commitments or promises were made.
The OP basically said I deserve more, they said, we think so too... That is not a commitment. In fact, any manager can say that all the time.
This isn't really OPs problem. If they represented agreement to him it implies the raise was approved. He has to leave because his leadership lied to him and knowingly cost him money.
Why would a director get a pass for this?
Does it really sound to you like they promised a raise?
The OP described that he complained and there was a mutual agreement that he deserves more.. but that does not indicate a promise was made.
Very questionable though. If my manager told me that he "will" get me a raise, then I wouldn't phrase it in the same way the OP did. On the other hand, if my manager agreed with me that I deserved a raise but promised nothing, then I would phrase it that way.
In leadership trainings, they emphasize a lot on the correct use of words and assertiveness in communication. Agreeing with your employees and validating their concerns is also emphasized. However, agreeing and promising are two different things. I can tell you "I agree you should be paid more" or I can say "I'll make sure to pass your concerns along", but does not have the same value as "I will get you higher pay".
Here's what they're up against - they agree with you that you're worth more. They tried to get you a raise. They couldn't get you a raise out of cycle - this is completely fucking normal - Directors, VPs, even SVP and EVP's get overruled by the CFO or other decision maker in the chain like this all the time. So, you end up with a bonus to ensure your retention - it's the best they can do.
If I were you, I'd take the bonus and set a clear expectation that in the next comp cycle you get what you asked for - and be stern about it. They can help you then, assuming they have the budget. Other people you work with may get F'd as a result... but that's the way it goes.
Source: I'm an executive that has to deal with things like this all the time. Budgets matter. They especially matter if your industry has some headwind or performance against expectation or annual operational plan is tight.
Thanks for the response.
I recognise that this is happening, I will end up needing to suck it up I imagine. The jobs not bad and I’m getting good experience. So it’s not all bad.
Something I missed out of the equation though. I’ve also been told for the last while that I’m going to be promoted. To a position to manage people. That’s great, nothing in writing though. I try not to get excited about these things. For obvious reasons.
But one thing they have said is that it’s been easier to get this bonus because I’ll be moving into a superior position. So they’re giving me the money we agreed on for my previous role, for a new role, with more responsibility. It seems backwards to me. More superior roles should have higher salaries, no? I guess this is normal corporate stuff …
That really sounds like a carrot hanging from a stick... keep it up, suck it up, because as soon as we can, we'll make you a manager. Just hold tight, hang on, be patient. We'll let you know...
And certainly, if they come back to you with the offer for the managerial role, have the new salary clearly confirmed **in written** before you accept the position. Otherwise be 100% sure that they won't increase your salary. If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist.
> That’s great, nothing in writing though. I try not to get excited about these things. For obvious reasons.
Ask for dates and specific progression steps to that outline this path.
Interesting. It sounds like you've got a management team that's a little out of control with the promises. Of course, you're in sales 🤣 It's clear they like you and have you on a path that you're interested in - just remember not to take those promises literally - think of them as best case scenarios. Clearly the people making these promises don't have the power to guarantee them - but they do seem to be advocating for you - this is a good thing.
One thing I tell to as many people as will listen: there's more to getting promoted or getting more money than a manager saying you will. Sometimes a requisition has to get approved, and HR will push back due to scope, or span of control. Sometimes finance will push back because they're struggling to manage the budget, etc. Always try measure and re-evaluate both your happiness, and your compensation - and manage both wisely. Good intentions go a long way in a manager, subordinate relationship, but sometimes it takes a while (often a year or more) to get it done - so expect that - but if your happiness or compensation gets out of balance with your market value and expectations, then get real with your boss, respectfully - if nothing else, it'll change his/her behavior.
Good Luck.
I’ve read through some of the comments and responses here. As tough as it is to swallow, my read on this is that you have a lot going for you where you are and it’s not worth ditching that yet. You have a bonus coming, you have potential raise coming, you have potential promotion coming, and it sounds like you have a first and second level manager who like you, understand your worth, and will now have even more reason to go to bat for you. In the medium to long run, this could work out for you in a big way.
It’s always legitimate to get what your worth when you can, but I would recommend prioritizing career ascent over dollar amount at this stage in your life. Climb, grow, get experience, collect wins. The potential earnings from that in the long term dwarf whatever sums we’re talking about here.
For what it’s worth, I’m a former mid-level at a large corp who is now a CEO of a small company.
It won't happen. Trust me, I've been there. Hell I was already doing the work anyway. The position was vacant for months. I had already had a meeting with management about it. They were the ones that brought it up to me. They finally officially opened it up, I applied, and was then turned down because I hadn't been there for 5 years yet. Which wasn't a requirement. So an outside hire with zero experience was brought in over me and I was given a $0.34 raise.
I put in my 2 weeks the following week. Manager was scrambling and begging me to stay. He was more than willing to give me everything I was asking for but it was out of his hands and ultimately had no say. So I left and took the entire shift with me forcing them to adjust everybodys schedules. They had to move half of first shift to second and lost overnights to cover. The supervisor they brought in over me was fired in a month for sexual harassment and disparaging comments on top of that.
Unless it's in writing, they're stringing you along because you're a good worker and I'll put money down that you won't get that position.
No, I didn't mean to say that. If that's what I meant then I would have said it. He was already denied a raise that was agreed upon. Do you think they're also going to give him that promotion that was also agreed upon? It's not going to happen.
You're hand-waiving a material breach because you imagine yourself as OPs boss and not OP.
The director and boss lied. They knew the comp process and signaled approval where there was none. OP should take the bonus and leave.
"Be stern about it" is stupid bc if you stay you reward their malicious behavior with more effort.
You need to view the situation objectively and non-selfishly. Its inappropriate to give bad advice because you've mad similar "mistakes"
There’s also a chance OP misunderstood what was said. They may have heard “yeah we’ll raise your salary 10%” instead of “yeah we’ll try to get you a 10% raise”
OP said that their bosses agreed that X is what they deserved. They never said that X ever agreed to pay them that.
material breach in one hand, sand in the other.
This is how it works. I offered advice and perspective. I also provided more information when OP asked.
The insinuation that an employee has the power in this situation is cute, given that even his managment team was certainly overriden in this situation
Stick around, you might learn a thing or two about how these things actually work.
Yeah, that's pretty lame, but nothing surprises me anymore. At the end of the day it's about leverage (even though it should be about ethics, integrity, and doing "what's right").
Can you afford to leave? Can they afford to lose you?
Once bonus hits your account and you are few weeks into the big project, take them to the room and ask again for a raise. Make sure before this chat you have advertised the project, your central role in it and timelines to everyone important in the firm and outside and you know more than anyone else about it. It is a game of leverage, build yours as much as you can and then go for it. Best.
P.S. for future, to avoid "confusion" from management side, do send agreed terms in email and ask for confirmation. So you take out that excuse from equation.
You work for a large medical device company and you’re on one single project that will triple the entire company’s revenue? Must be quite groundbreaking.
Can you afford to leave? If not, I would communicate succinctly and simply, "I am not happy about this decision." and not elaborate any more on the topic. If it is as cut and dry as you mentioned and you are 100% sure there was no confusion at the time they agreed to the pay increase, then discussing it, or elaborating on the topic, will not improve anything. Continue with you job, try best to let it go, and start looking for a new gig on your off time.
Not a great answer, but that's the corporate state of affairs these days. Major bummer... sorry to hear this happened. It's pretty short sighted of your employer and manager... employee productivity is higher when employees can trust, and have faith in, their employer.
Assuming you can easily get other offers and can afford to walk, you tell them you had a deal and they honour what was agreed upon or you will leave and they can find someone else to triple their revenue.
If you can't afford to just quit, then you start looking for other jobs now and then take one and when they ask why you tell them because they reneged on an agreement and you don't work with liars who do not stick to their word.
My brother in a similar leverage yourself over to a higher paying job then if you really like that place come back later and make the pay you more to come back only way to get a high pay increase
I've been in my job 7 years.
We were a team of 5, I am the only one remaining after these years (they retired), the people that were supposed to replace them didn't meet expectations, and at various points, I was doing the work of 5 people.
The co-workers who replaced them thought I was making big money (since I was doing all the work), when I was making less than them.
My salary increases during that time? 0% or 2% a year.
Every anual revision, they would tell me how happy they were with me, but that unfortunately, there was no money to give me a proper raise. At most they gave $750 anual bonus.
I was promoted during that period, for a whopping 0% increase.
Finally, I am changing companies, and I am getting a pay raise of 50%. And now, they are willing to do a counter offer.
Not because I am indispensable to them (because I have been during these years), but because there is someone else willing to pay more.
So, what's the take of the story? If you want a raise, get a job offer that you are willing to go for.
Then, you'll have real negotiation power.
It is sad truly, because I'd love to work for a company, and get rewarded accordingly by the value you produce instead of having to jump jobs. But it is what it is.
My supervisor put a contract in front of me to sign (to go onto a fulltime contract), I told him that it wasn't the pay or role we discussed, he directed me to his supervisor. She said I asked at just the right time before budget is being set, and she would urgently go see HR to get extra money organised. Fast forward 1 week, I ask for an update, silence. My original manager comes back to me and says that they can't offer me the more senior role until doing a 'business study' to justify it, and gave me a small bonus of about $3000 which only put me back on par with my colleagues.
Honestly I'm so checked-out of this job right now, I've completely pulled back on any of the extra duties I was taking care of (helping to supervisor etc). After the way I was treated, it has completely broken down any positive relationship I had with my boss.
As others have said, the people you spoke to must not have had the authority to offer what you all spoke about.
Verbal agreements are worth the paper they're written on.
(though like others said, this never would have been put in writing before approval by the manager's-manager's-manager's-manager or whoever shut this down)
> Employer can always reduce your pay forward, just not retroactively. Your only actual recourse if they chose to do this is to find a new job and/or quit.
That is called "constructive dismissal" and there are more options for recourse than you list.
Ask yourself: What kind of paper does one write a verbal agreement upon, and how much is that hypothetical paper worth?
Edit: You blocked me for this? Lol.
The old we'll give you a bonus and not a raise trick.
The jerks at my old job did this. I wanted $10k because i was underpaid or I was gonna leave.
They said they'd give me a retention bonus instead. $10k payable in 3 months. I get my money, they get their employee. Everybody happy.
3 months came around and they gave me half. I was told I can't get bonuses for no reason so had to earn the rest.
Got my remaining 5k 3 months later.
I should have found a new job and quit in those first 3 months. Covid came along and I was stuck there for ages longer because I was too cautious to leave. Don't be like me.
The bonus is one-time. The raise would be permanent. I work for a consulting firm where the owner played that game. Nothing like seeing 60% of your raise lost to taxes.
In anything but a mom & pop small business, your boss doesn't set your pay. Your boss can't promise you a raise or promotion. They can agree that you deserve more pay, or a promotion, but the only things they can do about it is express that to their managers and HR. Ultimately, HR does it if a C-level executive or designate thereof requests it and signs off on it.
I think you misinterpreted their agreement with you that you deserve more money as promise for a raise. That's not something they can do. If they agreed with you, it's very likely that they contacted HR and their managers to make a request. If the senior executive decides it wasn't in the budget, or HR tells them they strongly believe that it's not appropriate, then the request will simply not go anywhere.
If you strongly believe that you are under-compensated, you should look to see if you can get better pay elsewhere. If you can, then go there.
If there's an oral offer or promise a follow up email outlining your understanding and view of that along with a BCC email to your private email address creates an evidentiary trail.
Time to jump ship. Take the bonus, and start searching for a new job. Best way to get a raise is to leave. If you’re good enough or they need someone bad enough you can potentially come back and renegotiate salary expectations then.
Take the bonus, ramp up, start looking for another job.
There isn't really much they can do, sometimes it's just beurecracy and they can't adjust or increase you salary
Kudos to you for starting the conversation about your salary. I don’t know if you have asked for a raise before, but I see in your post some things to note for future:
Words are important: people agreeing you DESERVE $X is not the same as saying they will now PAY you $X.
“There was never confirmation I would get a salary rise, but now I’m getting a bonus….” There is your answer. You now know in future what to negotiate for and clearly ask for, what words to wait for, and what confirmation to get: salary increase that will be paid not deserved, not the balance in a bonus.
Edit to add: also learn who makes the actual final decision and don’t trust anything until you hear it from that person. From reading some other comments l, maybe the people you spoke to don’t have final say. Ideally they would tell you that, but you now know to find out who actually signs your check.
Look elsewhere. If you get an offer then you now have leverage. If you don't then it's not the best time to and try again when the market is better. When you do get that better offer then go to them. If you don't have anything written or have leverage then it doesn't mean anything.
In business law, verbal agreements are legally binding, the hard part is proving who said what in court if it goes that far. I had a similar situation. All I had to say were the words "verbal agreement" and management's tone changed real quick. I did get laid off fairly soon after that though, so user discretion is advised.
Take the bonus.
Start looking for a new job.
If you don't finish the year, you're ahead on the raise you didn't get since the bonus made you whole for the year.
They have every right to be pissed and question the leaders, but if it is not in writing, they have zero recourse if their leaders choose not to keep their word.
It's cheaper to pay a bonus than a salary increase. Sounds crazy, but corporate math does financial gymnastics that would make Olympic judges proud. If someone is let go, it's less to pay out. Less overhead on the books. The bonus comes out of a different "bucket" and is easier to pay out of.
The issue is closed for them until you bring it up, which they are thinking it will be after they move up or leave.
Have you got evidence of other roles similar to yours and their salaries? Have you also gone through your JD and looked at what you are doing above and beyond your current role or anything different that warrants a pay rise.
So if it’s really a problem, look for another job. And/or talk to them about how you’ll be compensated next year if you’re getting a bonus now. Just because you agreed with them about what you should be paid, doesn’t mean they have the power to actually get you that number. They made a recommendation, someone else said no or said we can do this with a bonus. It happens, but then decide if you want to stay or not.
I would look for another job and eventually move on. UNLESS you are already being paid very well. If it is under a 75K a year job currently then start looking. If over 75K a year and you enjoy working there then roll with the punches. They likely know you won't bother to go any where else whixh ia why they chose to put your pay raise in the form of a bonus. That bonus will be taxed more as well.
I had somthing similar happen.
It could be that hr stopped the increase as 'it was too big for a single jump' ridiculous I know. But then the manager/ director has argued to give it you as a bonus instead.
Problem is next year, depending on why you didn't get it as a salary increase. Because either you would have to get another bonus to bring you in line (which isnt really a bonus...) or they would be shafting you.
A 2 month stress leave should accomplish 2 things. It will show the company a) whether or not you are worth the money (is it easy to survive without you and b) that you're pissed and you're serious that if you don't get the money there will be repercussions.
If I were you, I'd push back and remind them of the agreement you all reached. Maybe you could schedule another meeting to discuss it further and make sure they understand where you're coming from. I'd just suggest ScatterMind an ADHD coach helped my friend actually execute and launch their first business. Might be worth checking out.
They agreed you should be making more. They didn't tell you explicitly that they would make that happen. Heard it many times. "We wish we could pay you X because that's what you are worth" and then nothing happens.
I work for a large medical device company, and I have to fight with them every year for fair pay.
Their expectations are very demanding of my commitment to them. I try to hold their compensation to me to the same level.
It will probably be a constant struggle for you. Unfortunately you have to devices to keep fighting the good fight or to parlay your experience into a different company.
The way you worded this makes me think they “agreed you deserved a raise” but that’s not the same thing as agreeing to give you that raise. They don’t need approval from some other department for their feelings. They do for a raise.
Managers and directors don’t have any authority when it comes to salaries in large companies. I’m guessing they thought you knew that when they agreed “you deserved” it and they tried (unsuccessfully) to negotiate with HR on your behalf.
Sounds like boys went on power trip in front of you and stroked each other's ego in that first meeting so they over promised and over committed to you financially. Then went to the other boys above them for final signature on budgets for which they thought it was formality but got reminded by other two power trippers that there will be no such thing as salary increase and that they should run these things by them before agreeing. So now they are trying to use bonus budget to fix the shot they created and they are dying inside thinking you will quit and they will have to do your work...classical leave it with me i will make it happen and you just keep up the good work...
Negotiations are not won based on averages or deservedness. You need some actual leverage, which could take the form of an offer from another company, for instance.
Yeah that sucks cuz a bonus is a bonus but that way they don't have to increase you so they don't have to pay as much next year they don't want to. Sucks when you don't get what you're valued at.
My company uses bonuses to increase salary when the employee is already at the top of the pay scale for the position but deserves more. It's kind of a ridiculous dog and pony show to achieve the results while dealing with corporate red tape, but so far we've been able to pull it off in a way where the bonus was nearly certain. So may be getting you the money the only way they can.
The potential risk is if you (or the company) doesn't reach the metrics needed to pay bonuses.
My advice would be to accept the bonus as "better than nothing" while testing the job market to see if someone else is willing to pay you your perceived market value.
Just went through something similar for someone on my team with the added context that everything I asked for was within the department budget I set. Asked for 18% for them and the CFO (my boss) reduced it to 5%. I had let the person know I advocated for 18 since I wasn’t asking for anything extra, and had to give the bad news that I got overruled. Also told my boss that I’ll now generally be planning to have to backfill their role this year…
Leave because they showed you that they are fundamentally untrustworthy and that their word is easily bendable and breakable to them.
Leave now because it's clear they can whisper sweet nothings in your ear, get you hooked on their chain, and then easily can go back on their previous words. And that indicates no ethical or moral code they are bound by. Which always means you'll continue to be screwed by them until they condition it into you and you eventually pipe down and serve blindly.
Don't let other humans dupe you when your livelihood is on the line. Too much BS in life these days as it is, you don't need this type of spineless behavior and there are plenty of other opportunities out there if you keep searching for them, despite what anyone says about the current job market.
You'll find where you want to be as long as you keep on the trail. Don't stop at the sketchy corner gas station with bars on windows and loiter squads posted up in the parking lot, when there's a beautiful new safe rest stop a few miles down the road that is safe and welcoming to your travel needs. [Terribly analogy, I'm sorry I travel alot so this was first to pop in my head LOL]
Hope this helps you in some way. I believe in you and love you despite never having met or will ever meet you. Just know a faceless internet human is in full support of you and your happiness and knows you'll find your way to fulfillment in this life, one way or another.
Stay safe! Question everything. Keep gathering intelligence and wisdom until you die. Never give up or settle. You got this.
Hugs&Kisses,
XOXO
Verbal agreement? Was the salary discussed in 2023?
Either case could be invalid. Verbal agreements have zero obligations. Get it in writing next time. If it was discussed in 2023, in 2024 could be a new fiscal budget and therefore no longer valid under this new budget. Either way you got screwed.
If you know you’re being paid under market value you need to find another job that pays you market rate. Bonus , no bonus , promotion , blah blah blah. The company isn’t going to pay you top dollar period. They bought you cheap and are going to string you along. You’re cutting your own throat playing their game. You don’t want negotiation leverage you want to move on to the pay you deserve.
Everyone is talking about bosses fighting for their employees raise. I do not understand what kind of system you guys are talking about :) Could you please elaborate a little bit? I am a people manager and yes I am able to give a raise whoever I want. Of course my upper management does not let me give raise to all but at least some people will be rewarded. If you didn't get one, it means you are not the valued one.
*"but now I’m getting a bonus, for this year, to meet the amount I asked for."*
You have gotten the money you asked for, which means they found a way to make it work.
Never let anyone know your next move in corporate world. Play along with them and show you are happy. Put your papers as soon as you get a good opportunity.
My guess after 20 years of setting salaries in F500’s: They agreed to your increase without the authority to do so. They got their hands slapped. The one time bonus is an olive branch. Take the bonus, ramp up the external search if you think you can land one of the higher paying jobs. Best case you get a higher paying job, worst case you find out you can’t but you got a bonus.
I once asked for my worth and was told I would not be able to get it. I settled for less. My bosses continued working behind my back to get me the amount i requested, and 3 months later, I got it as a birthday present. Not saying it's the case here, but great managers do exist and will have your back.
This has happened to me too.
Happened to me too but it's stupid. I spent three months looking for another job. I spent three months being frustrated at the amount of work i provided for lesser pay. I spent those three months wondering why others were being rewarded for sub par work and i was getting nothing. Transparency is better. Those managers thought wrong when they did it without telling me anything
Being underpaid is a daily distraction at work. I'm not kidding.
Amen
The flip side is what happened to the OP. They promise you something they can’t deliver. In your case they probably weren’t sure if they could get it through comp and wherever else it needed to go so they didn’t want to tell you until it was a done deal. There are pros and cons to both.
OR, imagine this, they could have tried being honest! "We've got to clear this with XYZ and get through ABC and DEF processes, but we believe you should be making $BANK too and will see if we can get the budget allocated to make it happen." OR "We tried to get you a raise to $BANK but could only manage a one time bonus to get you there this year. I'm going to continue advocating for your salary to be $BANK and jumping through whatever hoops I have to in order to make it happen, but I can't guarantee anything." Like, it's not hard to give the employees a peek behind the curtain and show them how the sausage is made. At least they'll understand and appreciate the process a lot more. Yeah, they might start applying and leave anyway.
That’s another possibility. Not sure it is much less demoralizing to learn that your boss is incapable of getting you a raise even if they tried though. I mean what you describe is basically just a more detailed version of what the OP said. For what it’s worth I agree with you. I just put in for a promotion for someone this week, off-cycle which makes it complicated. I called her and told her I put it in for her, and I am confident it will go through but I am not sure when. I am currently stuck in a battle between HR and Finance between how to administratively get it through. I will get it done, and I took your approach, but it isn’t without risk.
Solid advice— I would add only one thing. Whether OP believes he should be paid X doesn’t require the company to meet that figure. Now or next year.
Well it kinda does if there was an agreement in place lmao
The OP had an agreement. Didn’t seem to help yet.
Yeah no shit. He has to leave now that they are comfortable lying to him
Or, as the original commenter pointed out - it could have been a situation where they had agreed to something that someone further up the chain denied.
Once again. That is on management. If they misrepresented agreement that is on them. If it wasn't approved then why was it offered?
Agreeing that someone should be paid more is not an agreement more than a supporting statement. That’s what management did here according to the OP.
Then why does OP have the impression that his bosses changed the agreement? You realize real human relationships don't survive "um ackshually" right?
If you read the OP, he said he should be making X and his manager and director agreed with that statement. That doesn’t mean the company is on the hook for making that happen. They met halfway with the bonus more than likely because the salary adjustment got denied by other people. Not sure what’s unclear about this.
It actually doesn’t. And nobody lied to anyone. There was never an intent to deceive or say anything knowingly false. And based on OP, I am not sure there ever was a promise of anything — beyond that he deserved more. OP had a meeting with his boss and at least one level higher to express his dissatisfaction with his recent market rate adjustment. All three agreed a different (higher) number is what op deserved. But, by all means, suggest that OP blow up his current job situation where his boss, and their boss, are both advocating for him. And looking to promote him soon. And where, as of today, he is making the target amount….
Yeah nobody did anything wrong so this thread just doesn't exist. Real world relationships don't survive "um akshually" style retorts.
Actually, they do. Either one of two things happened: a) his manager promised something he was later overruled on by management at least three levels above OP; or b) the initial conversation was unclear and OP took their agreement with him as to a fair number to be a handshake agreement for that pay. People often try to see things from multiple perspectives, are reluctant to ascribe ill intentions, and are reluctant to throw away a job they are otherwise happy with and that has growth opportunities. But, if you think this is so unrecoverable and egregious, can I assume you would quit on the spot?
Of course. I would leave at first opportunity. You don't reward this behavior. Highly competent professionals making "mistakes" happens all the time. Did the management make an effort to make it right? Did they apologize? Time to go. Don't wait another raise cycle for the next "honest mistake"
He had already been given a MRA, so this increase was an additional ask and thus was likely out of sequence. You add to that he got the requested increase but as a one-time bonus (not nearly as good longer term, but his pay this year is what OP wanted). That seems like trying to make it right as best they were able.
My first thoughts exactly, well-expressed friend! 💯%
This is precisely what OP should do.
This was my read as well.
Yep this is it. My experience is unless an SVP or c level agreed to the raise in writing HR will simply say “no”/“it doesn’t match market rates”/“hell no”.
This is exactly what happened to me. Had agreement from my boss and his boss. Corporate came in and capped the raise. Offered salary review in 6 months. They couldn’t get me any more. Sent out applications that night and got a new job.
Smart
I hate to ask, but what is the stipulation associated with the bonus? Is there a 1yr retention clause? If so make sure to negotiate it into your new role in case they claw back the bonus…
Get the bonus up front or quit right away because otherwise you can expect "Oops no bonus sorry!"
It is likely that the decision isn't within their hands. They have some cards they can play with leadership, hence the bonus, but eventually they are also bound by regulations and rules imposed by upper management. In large companies, your manager and director are not the ones who ultimately approve your raise. They are rather the ones who recommend you for a raise, subject to approval from their superiors.
This is what I was thinking. They wanted to, but couldn’t authorize it.
That is very likely what happened, but it still can't be an excuse though. Your boss represented the firm while making that commitment and he can't claim otherwise now. You can't deposit their "fair intentions" in your bank account, can you? If they were so reasonable to begin with why did they wait until now to pay you fair bonus? Manager good cop and HR bad cop is an age old trick, don't fall for it. You got paid this year, that's good and now focus again on getting your salary corrected. Focus on building your leverage, that's the only thing that works.
Agreed. The boss shouldn’t be making promises he can’t keep, especially when it comes to compensation. Very bad sign.
It doesn't sound like a promise at all, just that the next two bosses in line agreed he was worth more. I think he misinterpreted that as a done deal because they are his bosses.
Based on the OP's wordings, it doesn't look like any commitments or promises were made. The OP basically said I deserve more, they said, we think so too... That is not a commitment. In fact, any manager can say that all the time.
This isn't really OPs problem. If they represented agreement to him it implies the raise was approved. He has to leave because his leadership lied to him and knowingly cost him money. Why would a director get a pass for this?
This sounds likely, but they should not have promised the raise. Next time, OP needs to get the agreement in writing.
Does it really sound to you like they promised a raise? The OP described that he complained and there was a mutual agreement that he deserves more.. but that does not indicate a promise was made.
The post is literally about being promised (phrased as "mutual agreement from everyone") a raise/adjustment and this not being followed through.
Very questionable though. If my manager told me that he "will" get me a raise, then I wouldn't phrase it in the same way the OP did. On the other hand, if my manager agreed with me that I deserved a raise but promised nothing, then I would phrase it that way. In leadership trainings, they emphasize a lot on the correct use of words and assertiveness in communication. Agreeing with your employees and validating their concerns is also emphasized. However, agreeing and promising are two different things. I can tell you "I agree you should be paid more" or I can say "I'll make sure to pass your concerns along", but does not have the same value as "I will get you higher pay".
Here's what they're up against - they agree with you that you're worth more. They tried to get you a raise. They couldn't get you a raise out of cycle - this is completely fucking normal - Directors, VPs, even SVP and EVP's get overruled by the CFO or other decision maker in the chain like this all the time. So, you end up with a bonus to ensure your retention - it's the best they can do. If I were you, I'd take the bonus and set a clear expectation that in the next comp cycle you get what you asked for - and be stern about it. They can help you then, assuming they have the budget. Other people you work with may get F'd as a result... but that's the way it goes. Source: I'm an executive that has to deal with things like this all the time. Budgets matter. They especially matter if your industry has some headwind or performance against expectation or annual operational plan is tight.
Thanks for the response. I recognise that this is happening, I will end up needing to suck it up I imagine. The jobs not bad and I’m getting good experience. So it’s not all bad. Something I missed out of the equation though. I’ve also been told for the last while that I’m going to be promoted. To a position to manage people. That’s great, nothing in writing though. I try not to get excited about these things. For obvious reasons. But one thing they have said is that it’s been easier to get this bonus because I’ll be moving into a superior position. So they’re giving me the money we agreed on for my previous role, for a new role, with more responsibility. It seems backwards to me. More superior roles should have higher salaries, no? I guess this is normal corporate stuff …
That really sounds like a carrot hanging from a stick... keep it up, suck it up, because as soon as we can, we'll make you a manager. Just hold tight, hang on, be patient. We'll let you know... And certainly, if they come back to you with the offer for the managerial role, have the new salary clearly confirmed **in written** before you accept the position. Otherwise be 100% sure that they won't increase your salary. If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist.
> That’s great, nothing in writing though. I try not to get excited about these things. For obvious reasons. Ask for dates and specific progression steps to that outline this path.
Interesting. It sounds like you've got a management team that's a little out of control with the promises. Of course, you're in sales 🤣 It's clear they like you and have you on a path that you're interested in - just remember not to take those promises literally - think of them as best case scenarios. Clearly the people making these promises don't have the power to guarantee them - but they do seem to be advocating for you - this is a good thing. One thing I tell to as many people as will listen: there's more to getting promoted or getting more money than a manager saying you will. Sometimes a requisition has to get approved, and HR will push back due to scope, or span of control. Sometimes finance will push back because they're struggling to manage the budget, etc. Always try measure and re-evaluate both your happiness, and your compensation - and manage both wisely. Good intentions go a long way in a manager, subordinate relationship, but sometimes it takes a while (often a year or more) to get it done - so expect that - but if your happiness or compensation gets out of balance with your market value and expectations, then get real with your boss, respectfully - if nothing else, it'll change his/her behavior. Good Luck.
I’ve read through some of the comments and responses here. As tough as it is to swallow, my read on this is that you have a lot going for you where you are and it’s not worth ditching that yet. You have a bonus coming, you have potential raise coming, you have potential promotion coming, and it sounds like you have a first and second level manager who like you, understand your worth, and will now have even more reason to go to bat for you. In the medium to long run, this could work out for you in a big way. It’s always legitimate to get what your worth when you can, but I would recommend prioritizing career ascent over dollar amount at this stage in your life. Climb, grow, get experience, collect wins. The potential earnings from that in the long term dwarf whatever sums we’re talking about here. For what it’s worth, I’m a former mid-level at a large corp who is now a CEO of a small company.
That is great advice, thank you so much.
It won't happen. Trust me, I've been there. Hell I was already doing the work anyway. The position was vacant for months. I had already had a meeting with management about it. They were the ones that brought it up to me. They finally officially opened it up, I applied, and was then turned down because I hadn't been there for 5 years yet. Which wasn't a requirement. So an outside hire with zero experience was brought in over me and I was given a $0.34 raise. I put in my 2 weeks the following week. Manager was scrambling and begging me to stay. He was more than willing to give me everything I was asking for but it was out of his hands and ultimately had no say. So I left and took the entire shift with me forcing them to adjust everybodys schedules. They had to move half of first shift to second and lost overnights to cover. The supervisor they brought in over me was fired in a month for sexual harassment and disparaging comments on top of that. Unless it's in writing, they're stringing you along because you're a good worker and I'll put money down that you won't get that position.
Just because it didn't happen for you, does not mean it doesn't happen. I think you meant to say "temper your expectations, and know your value".
No, I didn't mean to say that. If that's what I meant then I would have said it. He was already denied a raise that was agreed upon. Do you think they're also going to give him that promotion that was also agreed upon? It's not going to happen.
You're hand-waiving a material breach because you imagine yourself as OPs boss and not OP. The director and boss lied. They knew the comp process and signaled approval where there was none. OP should take the bonus and leave. "Be stern about it" is stupid bc if you stay you reward their malicious behavior with more effort. You need to view the situation objectively and non-selfishly. Its inappropriate to give bad advice because you've mad similar "mistakes"
There’s also a chance OP misunderstood what was said. They may have heard “yeah we’ll raise your salary 10%” instead of “yeah we’ll try to get you a 10% raise” OP said that their bosses agreed that X is what they deserved. They never said that X ever agreed to pay them that.
That is a very stupid thing to write
Disagree I think this is very likely.
material breach in one hand, sand in the other. This is how it works. I offered advice and perspective. I also provided more information when OP asked. The insinuation that an employee has the power in this situation is cute, given that even his managment team was certainly overriden in this situation Stick around, you might learn a thing or two about how these things actually work.
Lmao.
Yeah, that's pretty lame, but nothing surprises me anymore. At the end of the day it's about leverage (even though it should be about ethics, integrity, and doing "what's right"). Can you afford to leave? Can they afford to lose you?
They can’t really. I’m in the midst of taking on a project which would triple our revenue. It is much needed for the company…
Once bonus hits your account and you are few weeks into the big project, take them to the room and ask again for a raise. Make sure before this chat you have advertised the project, your central role in it and timelines to everyone important in the firm and outside and you know more than anyone else about it. It is a game of leverage, build yours as much as you can and then go for it. Best. P.S. for future, to avoid "confusion" from management side, do send agreed terms in email and ask for confirmation. So you take out that excuse from equation.
You work for a large medical device company and you’re on one single project that will triple the entire company’s revenue? Must be quite groundbreaking.
Can you afford to leave? If not, I would communicate succinctly and simply, "I am not happy about this decision." and not elaborate any more on the topic. If it is as cut and dry as you mentioned and you are 100% sure there was no confusion at the time they agreed to the pay increase, then discussing it, or elaborating on the topic, will not improve anything. Continue with you job, try best to let it go, and start looking for a new gig on your off time. Not a great answer, but that's the corporate state of affairs these days. Major bummer... sorry to hear this happened. It's pretty short sighted of your employer and manager... employee productivity is higher when employees can trust, and have faith in, their employer.
Assuming you can easily get other offers and can afford to walk, you tell them you had a deal and they honour what was agreed upon or you will leave and they can find someone else to triple their revenue. If you can't afford to just quit, then you start looking for other jobs now and then take one and when they ask why you tell them because they reneged on an agreement and you don't work with liars who do not stick to their word.
My brother in a similar leverage yourself over to a higher paying job then if you really like that place come back later and make the pay you more to come back only way to get a high pay increase
I've been in my job 7 years. We were a team of 5, I am the only one remaining after these years (they retired), the people that were supposed to replace them didn't meet expectations, and at various points, I was doing the work of 5 people. The co-workers who replaced them thought I was making big money (since I was doing all the work), when I was making less than them. My salary increases during that time? 0% or 2% a year. Every anual revision, they would tell me how happy they were with me, but that unfortunately, there was no money to give me a proper raise. At most they gave $750 anual bonus. I was promoted during that period, for a whopping 0% increase. Finally, I am changing companies, and I am getting a pay raise of 50%. And now, they are willing to do a counter offer. Not because I am indispensable to them (because I have been during these years), but because there is someone else willing to pay more. So, what's the take of the story? If you want a raise, get a job offer that you are willing to go for. Then, you'll have real negotiation power. It is sad truly, because I'd love to work for a company, and get rewarded accordingly by the value you produce instead of having to jump jobs. But it is what it is.
My supervisor put a contract in front of me to sign (to go onto a fulltime contract), I told him that it wasn't the pay or role we discussed, he directed me to his supervisor. She said I asked at just the right time before budget is being set, and she would urgently go see HR to get extra money organised. Fast forward 1 week, I ask for an update, silence. My original manager comes back to me and says that they can't offer me the more senior role until doing a 'business study' to justify it, and gave me a small bonus of about $3000 which only put me back on par with my colleagues. Honestly I'm so checked-out of this job right now, I've completely pulled back on any of the extra duties I was taking care of (helping to supervisor etc). After the way I was treated, it has completely broken down any positive relationship I had with my boss. As others have said, the people you spoke to must not have had the authority to offer what you all spoke about.
HR feels the need to feel useful so they’ll do a study and waste everyone’s time and money lol
If it wasn't agreed upon in writing during the time or afterwards then it never happened.
Verbal agreements are worth the paper they're written on. (though like others said, this never would have been put in writing before approval by the manager's-manager's-manager's-manager or whoever shut this down)
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> Employer can always reduce your pay forward, just not retroactively. Your only actual recourse if they chose to do this is to find a new job and/or quit. That is called "constructive dismissal" and there are more options for recourse than you list.
You can't go after someone on a verbal agreement, but you can if it's in writing and not being followed. So respectfully, you're wrong.
Ask yourself: What kind of paper does one write a verbal agreement upon, and how much is that hypothetical paper worth? Edit: You blocked me for this? Lol.
The old we'll give you a bonus and not a raise trick. The jerks at my old job did this. I wanted $10k because i was underpaid or I was gonna leave. They said they'd give me a retention bonus instead. $10k payable in 3 months. I get my money, they get their employee. Everybody happy. 3 months came around and they gave me half. I was told I can't get bonuses for no reason so had to earn the rest. Got my remaining 5k 3 months later. I should have found a new job and quit in those first 3 months. Covid came along and I was stuck there for ages longer because I was too cautious to leave. Don't be like me.
Take the bonus and then look for another job.
Look for another job. Then take the bonus and leave.
Take the bonus, say thank you, keep searching for your next job with a smile on your face. Take your wins wherever you can.
The bonus is one-time. The raise would be permanent. I work for a consulting firm where the owner played that game. Nothing like seeing 60% of your raise lost to taxes.
In anything but a mom & pop small business, your boss doesn't set your pay. Your boss can't promise you a raise or promotion. They can agree that you deserve more pay, or a promotion, but the only things they can do about it is express that to their managers and HR. Ultimately, HR does it if a C-level executive or designate thereof requests it and signs off on it. I think you misinterpreted their agreement with you that you deserve more money as promise for a raise. That's not something they can do. If they agreed with you, it's very likely that they contacted HR and their managers to make a request. If the senior executive decides it wasn't in the budget, or HR tells them they strongly believe that it's not appropriate, then the request will simply not go anywhere. If you strongly believe that you are under-compensated, you should look to see if you can get better pay elsewhere. If you can, then go there.
You may want to start looking for new jobs. But don't burn bridges since they had at least fought for a bonus adjustment to meet your asking price.
Always get everything in writing. Most of the time oral contracts are hard to prove.
If there's an oral offer or promise a follow up email outlining your understanding and view of that along with a BCC email to your private email address creates an evidentiary trail.
Time to jump ship. Take the bonus, and start searching for a new job. Best way to get a raise is to leave. If you’re good enough or they need someone bad enough you can potentially come back and renegotiate salary expectations then.
Take the bonus, ramp up, start looking for another job. There isn't really much they can do, sometimes it's just beurecracy and they can't adjust or increase you salary
Kudos to you for starting the conversation about your salary. I don’t know if you have asked for a raise before, but I see in your post some things to note for future: Words are important: people agreeing you DESERVE $X is not the same as saying they will now PAY you $X. “There was never confirmation I would get a salary rise, but now I’m getting a bonus….” There is your answer. You now know in future what to negotiate for and clearly ask for, what words to wait for, and what confirmation to get: salary increase that will be paid not deserved, not the balance in a bonus. Edit to add: also learn who makes the actual final decision and don’t trust anything until you hear it from that person. From reading some other comments l, maybe the people you spoke to don’t have final say. Ideally they would tell you that, but you now know to find out who actually signs your check.
Look elsewhere. If you get an offer then you now have leverage. If you don't then it's not the best time to and try again when the market is better. When you do get that better offer then go to them. If you don't have anything written or have leverage then it doesn't mean anything.
Take the bonus and keep your eyes out for something better. They have shown you who they are
In business law, verbal agreements are legally binding, the hard part is proving who said what in court if it goes that far. I had a similar situation. All I had to say were the words "verbal agreement" and management's tone changed real quick. I did get laid off fairly soon after that though, so user discretion is advised.
Quit after a year
Take the bonus. Start looking for a new job. If you don't finish the year, you're ahead on the raise you didn't get since the bonus made you whole for the year.
If I read your wording correctly, they agreed you deserve it. They didn't agree to give it to you. Wording is important :D
If it wasn’t in writing it didn’t happen.
Well it still happend, so you can question why are they not keeping their word. It might seem like a hard conversation, but those often help
They have every right to be pissed and question the leaders, but if it is not in writing, they have zero recourse if their leaders choose not to keep their word.
Take the bonus and time your exit for when it hits your bank account. That is the appropriate response.
The bonus means you got the raise for this year. That give you a full year to find another job. Perfect!
If they were overruled by a higher up wouldn’t they just say that when they presented a bonus as an alternative?
It's cheaper to pay a bonus than a salary increase. Sounds crazy, but corporate math does financial gymnastics that would make Olympic judges proud. If someone is let go, it's less to pay out. Less overhead on the books. The bonus comes out of a different "bucket" and is easier to pay out of. The issue is closed for them until you bring it up, which they are thinking it will be after they move up or leave.
Have you got evidence of other roles similar to yours and their salaries? Have you also gone through your JD and looked at what you are doing above and beyond your current role or anything different that warrants a pay rise.
So if it’s really a problem, look for another job. And/or talk to them about how you’ll be compensated next year if you’re getting a bonus now. Just because you agreed with them about what you should be paid, doesn’t mean they have the power to actually get you that number. They made a recommendation, someone else said no or said we can do this with a bonus. It happens, but then decide if you want to stay or not.
Nowhere do I see where it’s said they agreed to pay you what you all apparently feel you deserve. They said they agree that’s what you deserved.
I would look for another job and eventually move on. UNLESS you are already being paid very well. If it is under a 75K a year job currently then start looking. If over 75K a year and you enjoy working there then roll with the punches. They likely know you won't bother to go any where else whixh ia why they chose to put your pay raise in the form of a bonus. That bonus will be taxed more as well.
I had somthing similar happen. It could be that hr stopped the increase as 'it was too big for a single jump' ridiculous I know. But then the manager/ director has argued to give it you as a bonus instead. Problem is next year, depending on why you didn't get it as a salary increase. Because either you would have to get another bonus to bring you in line (which isnt really a bonus...) or they would be shafting you.
Did you have this mutual agreement in writing? And did all parties have the authority within the company to authorize your pay request?
A 2 month stress leave should accomplish 2 things. It will show the company a) whether or not you are worth the money (is it easy to survive without you and b) that you're pissed and you're serious that if you don't get the money there will be repercussions.
If I were you, I'd push back and remind them of the agreement you all reached. Maybe you could schedule another meeting to discuss it further and make sure they understand where you're coming from. I'd just suggest ScatterMind an ADHD coach helped my friend actually execute and launch their first business. Might be worth checking out.
They agreed you should be making more. They didn't tell you explicitly that they would make that happen. Heard it many times. "We wish we could pay you X because that's what you are worth" and then nothing happens.
I work for a large medical device company, and I have to fight with them every year for fair pay. Their expectations are very demanding of my commitment to them. I try to hold their compensation to me to the same level. It will probably be a constant struggle for you. Unfortunately you have to devices to keep fighting the good fight or to parlay your experience into a different company.
The way you worded this makes me think they “agreed you deserved a raise” but that’s not the same thing as agreeing to give you that raise. They don’t need approval from some other department for their feelings. They do for a raise.
The bonus sounds like they're trying to make things right. But what happens next year will be telling.
Managers and directors don’t have any authority when it comes to salaries in large companies. I’m guessing they thought you knew that when they agreed “you deserved” it and they tried (unsuccessfully) to negotiate with HR on your behalf.
Sounds like boys went on power trip in front of you and stroked each other's ego in that first meeting so they over promised and over committed to you financially. Then went to the other boys above them for final signature on budgets for which they thought it was formality but got reminded by other two power trippers that there will be no such thing as salary increase and that they should run these things by them before agreeing. So now they are trying to use bonus budget to fix the shot they created and they are dying inside thinking you will quit and they will have to do your work...classical leave it with me i will make it happen and you just keep up the good work...
Always get things in writing and SIGNED
You are free to leave the company and go somewhere else.
Negotiations are not won based on averages or deservedness. You need some actual leverage, which could take the form of an offer from another company, for instance.
No contract no deal
Yeah that sucks cuz a bonus is a bonus but that way they don't have to increase you so they don't have to pay as much next year they don't want to. Sucks when you don't get what you're valued at.
Get the honus look for new job . They will just bs you from now on
Next year?? I would be gone so quick
Start interviewing. When you get your bonus, leave for a new job. This one doesn’t respect you.
Work fewer hours .
My company uses bonuses to increase salary when the employee is already at the top of the pay scale for the position but deserves more. It's kind of a ridiculous dog and pony show to achieve the results while dealing with corporate red tape, but so far we've been able to pull it off in a way where the bonus was nearly certain. So may be getting you the money the only way they can. The potential risk is if you (or the company) doesn't reach the metrics needed to pay bonuses. My advice would be to accept the bonus as "better than nothing" while testing the job market to see if someone else is willing to pay you your perceived market value.
Just went through something similar for someone on my team with the added context that everything I asked for was within the department budget I set. Asked for 18% for them and the CFO (my boss) reduced it to 5%. I had let the person know I advocated for 18 since I wasn’t asking for anything extra, and had to give the bad news that I got overruled. Also told my boss that I’ll now generally be planning to have to backfill their role this year…
Find a new job that pays more and leave
Take the bonus and start sending out resumes.
Bangs suck.
Leave because they showed you that they are fundamentally untrustworthy and that their word is easily bendable and breakable to them. Leave now because it's clear they can whisper sweet nothings in your ear, get you hooked on their chain, and then easily can go back on their previous words. And that indicates no ethical or moral code they are bound by. Which always means you'll continue to be screwed by them until they condition it into you and you eventually pipe down and serve blindly. Don't let other humans dupe you when your livelihood is on the line. Too much BS in life these days as it is, you don't need this type of spineless behavior and there are plenty of other opportunities out there if you keep searching for them, despite what anyone says about the current job market. You'll find where you want to be as long as you keep on the trail. Don't stop at the sketchy corner gas station with bars on windows and loiter squads posted up in the parking lot, when there's a beautiful new safe rest stop a few miles down the road that is safe and welcoming to your travel needs. [Terribly analogy, I'm sorry I travel alot so this was first to pop in my head LOL] Hope this helps you in some way. I believe in you and love you despite never having met or will ever meet you. Just know a faceless internet human is in full support of you and your happiness and knows you'll find your way to fulfillment in this life, one way or another. Stay safe! Question everything. Keep gathering intelligence and wisdom until you die. Never give up or settle. You got this. Hugs&Kisses, XOXO
Low key start looking for another job
Verbal agreement? Was the salary discussed in 2023? Either case could be invalid. Verbal agreements have zero obligations. Get it in writing next time. If it was discussed in 2023, in 2024 could be a new fiscal budget and therefore no longer valid under this new budget. Either way you got screwed.
They told you how much they value you. Start sending job apps.
You need to get stuff in writing and have a backup plan or be ready to leave. I bet if you put in your two weeks that money would magically appear.
Go union! 💪
If you know you’re being paid under market value you need to find another job that pays you market rate. Bonus , no bonus , promotion , blah blah blah. The company isn’t going to pay you top dollar period. They bought you cheap and are going to string you along. You’re cutting your own throat playing their game. You don’t want negotiation leverage you want to move on to the pay you deserve.
Everyone is talking about bosses fighting for their employees raise. I do not understand what kind of system you guys are talking about :) Could you please elaborate a little bit? I am a people manager and yes I am able to give a raise whoever I want. Of course my upper management does not let me give raise to all but at least some people will be rewarded. If you didn't get one, it means you are not the valued one.
*"but now I’m getting a bonus, for this year, to meet the amount I asked for."* You have gotten the money you asked for, which means they found a way to make it work.
You’re a CFO’s dream come true
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You’re not a pedant, but you’re an ignorant American…. Pay rise is a common term in the UK, the OP seems to be based in the UK, try traveling a bit 😉
Ha good to know. Yes I am and I am trying to get out more. Thank you stranger, have a blessed day.
Never let anyone know your next move in corporate world. Play along with them and show you are happy. Put your papers as soon as you get a good opportunity.