No pay raise, been at my job 2yrs and i make little over minimum?

Question

Recently minimum wage went up in my state to 7.25 an hour, and i have been at my job for two years still have not got a pay raise, and im barely making over the new minimum wage, im extremely upset. But i have a great boss and a great crew that i work with, how do i approach this to my boss, should i just quit? I don't want to get hysterical or anything but im very dissapointed in my company. Its a major jewelry corporation.

Answer 1

What is your work performance like? Do you get the job when it's asked of you, or when you get it done? Do you have a good record as far as getting to work on time and getting to work, period? Do customers/ coworkers say good things about you? If all of your answers to these questions are positive, then go speak to your boss and let him know that:
1. You enjoy your job and enjoy working with and for the people that you do.
2. You appreciate being able to work for a boss who is so open to suggestions and feedback.
3. You have been working there for 2 years and feel you deserve a pay raise, since the cost of living has risen drastically since you began working there.
4.You would hate to have to quit, but if you do not get a pay raise, you will have to look for other employment opportunities elsewhere.

Don't have a pushy attitude about it. Simply state your case in the most logical and mature way. Don't quit before you verbalize your wants and needs and get a response. You never know: all you might have to do is ask.

Answer 2

If you have been at your job for 2 years, you definitely deserve a raise. You should not be making minimum wage because you have shown loyalty to the company. Most companies offer a performance review every year to determine if an employee deserves a pay raise.

You should talk to you boss and explain to him/her that you have shown commitment to the company and you have put in a lot of time and effort at your work. Also, when you are asking for a raise, you should prepare yourself for negotiation. Ask for higher than what you expect and negotiate from there. For example, you are looking to make $8.50, start with $10 and meet him in the middle to get your expectation.

Make sure that you also let him know what you have done the past two years that make you stand out and shows that you deserve a raise of what you are expecting. Then, let him know what you will accomplish after having the pay raise.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Dear raise,
Our state too just raised the minimum wage to 7.25 an hour, but our businesses still have two
years in which to comply to the standard. Minimum wage here was 5.15 and it is what most
businesses hire at until the deadline. I was hired 8 months ago at 6.45 and just received a raise
last month to 7.10 an hour. The reason was because my job performance. I work in a customer
focused job where everything is based around making the customer happy. Of course, the
employers must be made happy as well, but everything I do hinges on my job performance and
capabilities. I am good at my job and work hard to be even better. You should never become
comfortable with your own performance, you should always strive to be better. The answer is
not to quit, but to do such an exemplary performance that it brings about the attention of your
boss. You could discuss a raise with your boss, but don’t demand one. Also, ask how you could
better perform your job and listen to his/her comments and try to put them into effect. The other
employees at your work place also play a key role in how your boss sees you. The best I can say
is always smile and be nice, no matter how rude or inconsiderate they are. Your boss sees this
and they will be impressed. The best advice that I ever received was never bring your personal
life into the work place, and never take your work home. Keep them separate and things will be
much easier to deal with.

Answer 4

I would really think about this before you make a decision. How good of a job is it? Is it a job you like getting up and going to? IF you are really thinking about quiting this job than I would take a chance asking about a raise. I would go up to your boss and say I've been here for 2 years I really love this job and I want to stay here but I need to know if there is a raise coming my way soon and is there room for advancement here? if she says no to the raise I would stay there and everyday off I would look for a new Job. This way your not going a long time without a paycheck. With 2 years at this one job you should be able to find another job because you have a good job history. I hope this help with your problem. Good Luck!

Answer 5

You'll have to check out your employee handbook. Does it specify how often you're pay will be reviewed?

If you like your job, I wouldn't recommend quitting until you at least approach management with your concerns.

It's also not a bad idea to begin marketing yourself. Even when you're not interested in a new job, finding out if you lack skills, or if your resume needs tailored before the need for a new job arises is very beneficial.

Keep in mind also, that if you're concerned with making a decent wage, then many times there's no choice but to quit and start over with a new company. Stability is a great thing to have, but let's face it, the cost of living goes up faster than our raises do...so new hires at your company are probably hired in at a higher wage now than you currently make...even higher than what you'd probably make with a standard 5% raise. Sometimes we just need to move on, get in with a new company at that higher rate of pay.

Having said that, employers know this...they know that if they have to replace a good employee they will end up paying more to do so, they will not be able to higher an experienced person to do the same job at the same rate of pay as you are receiving...not 2 years later, therefore speaking with them about your concerns might benefit you even more.

Answer 6

Have an honest talk with your boss.

Explain that your disappointed in your pay scale and be prepared to answer his questions, as to why you deserve more.

Before this discussion, make sure you know the companies guiding principles and business plan. Know where you fit in and how you support it.

Just because you've been there a while, doesn't mean you automatically deserve more money. You have to affect the bottom line in a positive way. I'm not being mean, that's just how it is. The job markets tough for decent jobs, you have to prove your worth the money.

I had a talk like this years ago, with my boss and she ended up giving me a real nice raise. The reason she gave me that good raise, is because she didn't realize I knew so much about the companies glide path. She wanted me to stick around and support the companies efforts.

She kept me in mind when future expansion came around. ;o)

Answer 7

As an employer, I prefer my staff talk to me about whatever is upsetting them rather than just quit. I have an open door policy about this kind of thing. I don't know what type of boss you have but I would encourage you to talk to him/her about the situation. Let them know how you feel and that you love your job and the company but feel devalued by the lack of a raise in two years and especially now the states minimum wage has increased. If you don't get the resolve you are looking for, you were thinking about quitting anyway and another jewelry company will pay for your experience. One thing to keep in mind though, my states minimum wage just went to $7.50 and I know alot of companies are trying to figure out how to adjust to such a large jump in payroll.
Good Luck!!

Answer 8

Don't quit until you have a talk with your boss about this subject. You don't have to get hysterical....just make sure that you tell him/her that you feel it's only fair that they consider giving you a raise to off set the new minimum wage, in which you are making barely over the minimum.

Answer 9

After 2 years you should expect a pay raise and not just because the minimum wage went up.

If I were you I would speak to my boss about it and it a raise isnt due to you after that I would search for another job somewhere else.

Answer 10

You might as well ask for a raise, rather than quit right away. If they say no, you can quit then. When asking for the raise, don't ask casually, as someone else suggested. Don't be angry or extremely upset, but be firm. Remind your boss that you've been there two years, and have done a good job (assuming you have), and that you haven't gotten a raise in all that time.