Job change advice ?

Question

I am currently working for a sm. company with only 50 employess. The company is only 7 yrs.old. One of first employees hired and been with company for 4 years.
Pros: Small company, great co workers, very laid back atmosphere, routine work assignment each day. As long as my work is done, no boss over shoulder. Recieves a $1500 christmas bonus, and monthly incentatives approx. $150, but not guaranteed.
Cons: Under paid. Pay $11 a hour, compared to market value of pay in zip code, should be approx. $14-$17 hourly. Started with company when they were just starting out, and I took low pay because of it being a new company. Was told that as company progressed, pay would meet current market. 4 years later and still under... discussed with owner, states no problem with my work, but company can't raise pay, only 3% pay raise each year.
I am financially comfortable and don't have to have a higher paying job. But...I feel with my work history and experience that I should be paid better.

Answer 1

Like you said "I am financially comfortable and don't have to have a higher paying job".

If it was me, i wouldn't look for another job. You have a lot of pros' that I wish i had in my favor. But if you really feel that you are being way under paid i would look for another job that may more and fits your work history experience. But, until then hold on to that one.

Answer 2

Start looking for a new job before you get too old to change.

Otherwise, there is nothing you can do about your pay with your present company.

If the owner was going to keep his promises, he would have kept his promises.

From the point of view of the company, as long as people don't quit, they obviously have no compelling issues with pay. The only time pay might get raised is if too many people quit, and it gets annoying filling out the paperwork needed to keep the pipeline full.

Another reason to find out your market worth now, is to remember than you will be let go when you reach a point that you are too old (health insurance expenses), and too expensive (from all those raises over the years).

If you don't believe me, post a question asking how many people have been canned when they reach 50 years of age.

It is usually called something else ... re-structuring, outsourcing, consolidation, etc. but the end result is the same. The same widgets get made with a cheaper labor force.

On the bright side, you being somewhat underpaid, and with a healthy attitude towards money (it is not everything), gives you enormous flexibility when business conditions change.

Way too many people get trapped in a particular city or business through a high wage job, and can't leave even when it is killing them.

After hurricane Katrina, those people with a boat, shotgun, and yippy dog living off the land suddenly seemed in a whole lot better shape than the high-maintenance city residents.

Answer 3

if money doesn't matter what's the problem?

i would take 11 an hour with a laid back company than 17 an hour with a huge company that micro manages every little teeny tiny thing...besides...just because that's the average pay doesn't mean you would be guaranteed to get it at a new job...

the grass just looks greener...i would stay with the small company...