When Promotions Go Wrong

[Chicklet]

Okay non-author related thread, probably better suited for the General Board, but I start my share of author-related threads so I feel justified in littering up the hangout to tell my friends what's going on in my life.

I work in a Deli. I think we've gone over that before. It's a decent job, pays the bills, pays off my school bills so I can afford to go back. Keeps me out of trouble. It pays much, much better than most jobs in the area and is even giving me a paid vacation, which my parents dont' even have. Anyways. I work in the Deli.

The other day my boss pulled me upstairs, Friday it was, to tell me that when I saw the schedule, I shouldn't freak out. Now, for the last four months or so, I've pretty steadily been working from 6AM to 2:30PM, a very nice shift, one I love. The new schedule had me working 2:30PM to 11PM all five days. "I'm promoting you to night manager," my boss told me.

Okay, promotions, I can dig those. But he didn't *ask* if I wanted to be promoted, he *told* me. Here's the kicker. This promotion doesn't give me any raise in pay. It gives me a ton of new responsibilities, a schedule I absolutely hate, a crew I've never worked with before...ugh...and no extra money. What's a girl to do?

People tell me "Demand more money, and if he doesn't give it to you, put in your notice." But you know, I'm just not that kind of person. I feel like, is it really worth quitting over? Since I probably won't be able to find another job that pays this well in this area I don't want to give it up, so am I willing to bluff? Am I willing to get on my boss's bad side? I'm leaving for Brazil in two weeks...do I want to start trouble before I go? <sigh>

-Chicklet

ps - I'm going to Brazil.

 

[Guest]

The new schedule had me working 2:30PM to 11PM all five days. "I'm promoting you to night manager," my boss told me.

This promotion doesn't give me any raise in pay. It gives me a ton of new responsibilities, a schedule I absolutely hate, a crew I've never worked with before...ugh...and no extra money.

Chicklet, if he used the word 'promotion' and 'manager' then you have every right and cause to ask about a salary increase (use that term, vs. raise). Knowing your personality I can only presume he is deliberately taking advantage of you and not expecting you to speak up for yourself.

The list you have above about the changes will also serve you in discussing the matter with him.

If he insists in not giving you more money for more work and a seemingly advanced title, can you tell him you choose to stay with what you have?

I hesitate to advise more not knowing you better and plainly not wanting you to lose your job, but you have my cyber support and compassion. I hate this kind of crappola; supervisors like that are like a dustmote on a piece of chickenshit.

best to you and have a blast in Brazil, Perdita

 

[Madame Manga]

Oh, I feel for you. That happened to me a couple of times; the unwanted promotion was presented as a 'try-out' managerial position so I could "prove myself". ;-)

It's especially common for women to be forced into a position like this, because they are less likely to squawk about it than men. Most employers know that damn well and will take advantage of it at every turn. Sure, there are exceptions, so those of you who prefer to believe that women are always treated on a par with men in the workplace can keep your comforting little assumptions to yourselves. ;-) I speak from twenty years of experience in all sorts of jobs--I've worked as everything from a janitor to a computer graphic artist, and I did a one-year stint in a family-owned deli.

Yes, ask for more money to go along with the responsibilities, and don't take promises in lieu of cash. Don't be a sucker or a good girl and hope that they will eventually do the right thing out of the goodness of their hearts. Employers will never consider your best interests first and foremost, even if they can sometimes be made to see the light. That's economic reality. If they won't raise your pay, stick to your guns. There's no future in a job that doesn't pay what your time is worth.

MM

 

[bridgeburner]

Ay-yi-yi, Chicklet. What a sucky position to be in. I'm with Manga, though.

Your boss already knew you were going to "freak" when you saw the schedule. He knows he's putting one over on you and he's counting on you not to make a fuss.

To take a schedule you hate with increased responsibilities and a new title you should be compensated monetarily. That's the way of the working world and your boss knows it. You need to discuss this with him. You're a good enough employee that he wants you for a manager, he's not likely to fire you out of hand just because you expect to be treated fairly.

Perhaps a compromise can be reached -- you'll take the manager shift at increased pay for two or three nights rather than five. Or, you could just decline the promotion because it doesn't work with your school schedule or other committments that you have.

Be calm, be direct and be willing to discuss it, but remember that he's looking to get something from you and that gives you the power to negotiate with him.

best of luck

-B

 

[Guest]

 

[Chicklet]

Be willing to ACTUALLy depart if you say you will.

See that's the kicker cause I live paycheck to paycheck, have twenty dollars in my account, employment is way, way down...so, I can't really bluff...

(everyone, thak you for the support)

 

[Quasimodem]

See that's the kicker cause I live paycheck to paycheck...so, I can't really bluff...

Having gone through something similar, many years ago, this is my advice.

Start looking for alternate employment, if you can agree that the job you once found so acceptable for your needs, has changed.

Move now, before the depression and inertia of trying to fill an untenable position brings you to despair. You are well qualified for other duties. Find them now.

Then, give your boss an ultimatum. List what you require to remain in his employ. Either he changes your situation, or you do.

But first, secure that new position!

That’s my advice, for what it’s worth.

 

[Guest]

 

[ffreak]

Timing is everything and your boss knows it. He wants to 'promote' you because he is depending on you not being able to find a replacement job before school starts.

Does he know you are going to Brazil? If so, and he knows from what he pays you that you are payday to payday, he is trying to get the two weeks out of you without a raise on the excuse that you may not come back.

If so, next time you will know to not divulge as much to your boss.

If you are not coming back (like going to school instead), maybe you can handle the miserable inconvenience - and don't worry so much about making that good first impression with the new 'title'.

Even after you do come back (to town) and especially if you are not going to go back to work there, you may try taking this to the labor board (not before because you don't want to lose the immediate money). They may decide you are entitled to the difference between what you get and the company's normal manager salary for those two weeks. And if this is part of a chain they will penalize the shop on a daily basis until you are paid. (Sad part, if it is a little self-owned shop, he flies under the radar on penalties.)

In any case, you are still only required to do one thing. Go for your own goals and happiness!


Brazil - quiet nights and quiet stars...
Will you grace us with photos from the trip?

 

[deliciously_naughty]

If you don't get extra $$$, it's not a real promotion, it's abusing the fact that you've been there so long.

Tell him more money or you don't want the "promotion". You can preface this with "years of commitment" "enjoy working here" "proud that you think I'm ready for the extra responsibility" blah blah blah.

But yeah...start looking for something else...

 

[Svenskaflicka]

BUt if you like the job the way it is already, can't you REFUSE to accept the promotion???

 

[oggbashan]

Svenska - that recommendation is a good way to lose the job.

My advice follows the others. Look for and find another job.

Then take it because you will always be aware that your current boss might pull the same stunt again when you are not prepared with another job to go to.

Employers have the right to expect loyalty and trust from their employees. They often forget that employees should have the right to expect the same from the employer.

Never threaten to leave a job you depend on until you have another offer that you want to accept.

Og

 

[Svenskaflicka]

But if Chicklet likes her current work, why make her change if she doesn't want to? I mean, it's one thing if you get pushed down, but surely there's nothing that says that you have to accept being moved up in the hierarchy, is there?

 

[Jenny _S]

Chicklet,
Obviously you have not read Lawrence Peter's "The Peter Principal". You have just been elevated by promotion to the same level you were before. Promotion = $$$. This is more like a "Lateral Arabesque" not a promotion. They expect more work, crappy hours at no added expense to themselves or renumeration to you. "The Peter Prescription" pretty well explains how to avoid promotion.

Only in Ore-Gun.

 

[ffreak]

Of course if Chicklet went to work dressed like that Huston wouldn't be the only hard-on.

Does it count as sexual harrasment if its done here?

I think the keyboard got too hot.

Seriously, Chicklet, throw caution to the wind after Brazil. Concentrate on how much fun you are going to have there.

 

[The_old_man]

This sounds much like the"Position" my daughter had. She was "Promoted" several times with only token raises. After nineteen and a half years ( Just short of retirement vesting ) she was Placed in a position where she was forced to violate one or another of the company regulations. She picked the lesser of two violations. She was reprimanded and fired.

It seems that this is standard procedure for the regional division of this wide spread company.

 

[OldnotDead]

small companies

Chicklet,

I feel for you. Having just completed a lawsuit against an abusive employer, I do understand how one particular job can seem significantly advantageous over most of the alternatives. Small employers are often headed by industrious, but not necessarily objective management personalities. Typically they are very egocentric, and while trying to do what they think is good for their company, are not able to look much beyond their own viewpoint.

If you carefully examine your options, you may find something preferable. The advice about looking for something else is well founded. Do as much in that arena as possible. The advice about having alternatives gives you a much better position from which to negotiate.

At the same time, you mention some benefits that are not always associated with such small employers and do make me think your employer deserves at least some thoughts that a rational discussion comparing your viewpoint and his might be productive. YOU are the one that has the most knowledge, however, so here are some suggestions, but keep in mind I don't know you or him.

1) Talk to your boss about the conflicts of the evening shift vs morning shift and how one schedule works better for you with school and such. Remember to do things like tell him how pleased you are that he recognized your value by offering the promotion, but without additional compensation, you don't see any real value to changing schedules and adding responsiblities.

2) Get some kind of written description of your increased duties. Even if it is only your notes from a conversation with your employer, make him specify what roles you will have that are different than now. It is particularly important to elicit who will have hiring and firing authority over the crew for which you are responsible. If you have significant authority, you may become an 'exempt' employee, which can change how you are treated under labor law.

3) Get on your state's website and start reading about labor laws. My state is an 'at will' employment state and that significantly reduces some of the protections. But in pretty much all states, if he dismisses you for not taking the 'promotion', you would be entitled to immediate unemployment comp. And depending upon his own track record in this regard, could cost him a jump in his tax rate.

4) Try to think non-confrontational. Even if there are not great alternatives for you at this time, remember HIS alternatives are not good either. Small employers rarely replace one good employee with another. It often takes them anywhere between four and six hires to produce a 'keeper'. Look at the deli and think about how many he has hired while you were working there that did not work out, versus the ones that did. If he wants you to take over some management, you are going to be ten times as difficult to replace. Small employers, with their ego centric view do not always receive any kind of questioning particularly well. They think of themselves as the only one that 'knows' all the problems.

5) Despite the lack of increased compensation, he has at least acknowledged your superior performance compared to others. It is possible that he doesn't feel capable of offering you more money at this time, but at least wants to let you know that he thinks of you as one of the better employees. By your 'managing' in the next shift, you may only be freeing up his time and not really adding revenue to the company. Don't be afraid to talk about some form of deferred comp such as a quartely bonus. Management at all levels often have a tough time recognizing that some costs are not automatically offset by increased revenue. The more you understand his thinking, the more you can evaluate both your options and other, better solutions.

the more you talk and discuss the more likely you are to work out something with which you will be satisfied, or, better underlined why you need to look for something else.

Good luck,
OldnotDead

 

[Guest]

still talkin'

 

[Chicklet]

Re: small companies

At the same time, you mention some benefits that are not always associated with such small employers and do make me think your employer deserves at least some thoughts that a rational discussion comparing your viewpoint and his might be productive.

Well I do work for a corporation...it's not "small" and it has to compete with other corporations in the area that have accepted a union and the corporation I work for does not want to become part of the union so gives us the same benefits as the other stores...

 

[OldnotDead]

Re: Re: small companies

Well I do work for a corporation...it's not "small" and it has to compete with other corporations in the area that have accepted a union and the corporation I work for does not want to become part of the union so gives us the same benefits as the other stores...

Ah! This adds to my suggestion that you have more on your side than you might believe.

Your homework has just just been increased. What would your raise have been at the union shops if you became a 'manager'? If the corporation is seriously committed to keeping the union out, they need to make all the compensation comparable.

Also - and I do not want to distract the focus here - keep in mind that 'small' is actually a government definition based on revenues and total number of employees. In the right industry, a corporation can still be a 'small employer' with less than 1000 employees and 100 million in revenue. In all cases, less than 100 or 25 million and the company is 'small'.

But, if it is not 'small' by your state's definitions, then you have some added protections and the visit to the labor board's site could be beneficial.

OnD