I almost feel guilty...

[Shyatic]

Today I had my 'official' yearly review (it's 3 months late, but regardless)... and I got a 4% raise which at the amount I'm making isn't a whole lot. But my manager pulls me aside after the review and says "Don't worry about that 4%, it's a technicality," to which I do the "whahh???"

Anyways, long story short, the way they are doing it for me is they are giving me a promotion for which I get $8,000, in ADDITION to the 4%. And while that money is enough to keep me, the distance I travel is just too far. I could move, but the rent situation I'm in would certainly change to a great degree and offset a big part of that raise. That, and where I'm working doesn't offer me any real challenge nor responsibility. My 'promotion' is one that is in name only, and thus I won't get any additional responsibility. The money bonus is because from what my manager told me, is that they see my talent and want to keep me because I fit in so well. I feel bad that after all the effort on their part, that I will likely still leave because greener pastures are still elsewhere to be found.

As much as I like the job, it's a disservice to myself to set myself up to be poorly prepared for the future, lack of technology and the ability to get my grubbies on it.

Anyways, just wanted to let it out. Any thoughts on how I should feel?

 

[EGGO]

I can definately empathize.

Sit down and tell him this, I'd say. Be gentle and slow.

 

[franksta]

You do what's best for you.

 

[BriGy86]

Originally posted by: EGGO
I can definately empathize.

Sit down and tell him this, I'd say. Be gentle and slow.

i'd have to agree, when/if you quit give them at least 2 weeks notice if not more

 

[ATLien247]

Is that $8K smount a one-time bonus or a salary increase?

 

[mitmot]

Originally posted by: franksta
You do what's best for you.

:thumbsup:

 

[Patt]

I'm in a similar situation, without the $$$. I'm trying to decide my fate right now. I make good coin, but I'm not challenged, and I do the exact same work as those 'above' me in the chain, yet make almost $30K less than one of the senior guys. My job isn't going to change

Back to you though ... (and me) ... I think you're right for wanting a change, and remember that if you didn't greatly benefit the organization, they wouldn't be trying to keep you. They probably realize that you're going to move on, and wanted to keep you as long as possible. I can sympathize ... I"m sure you're in the same spot as I am. I get along great with everyone here, it just isn't quite for me.

Good luck in the impending search!

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Scribe
Today I had my 'official' yearly review (it's 3 months late, but regardless)... and I got a 4% raise which at the amount I'm making isn't a whole lot. But my manager pulls me aside after the review and says "Don't worry about that 4%, it's a technicality," to which I do the "whahh???"

Anyways, long story short, the way they are doing it for me is they are giving me a promotion for which I get $8,000, in ADDITION to the 4%. And while that money is enough to keep me, the distance I travel is just too far. I could move, but the rent situation I'm in would certainly change to a great degree and offset a big part of that raise. That, and where I'm working doesn't offer me any real challenge nor responsibility. My 'promotion' is one that is in name only, and thus I won't get any additional responsibility. The money bonus is because from what my manager told me, is that they see my talent and want to keep me because I fit in so well. I feel bad that after all the effort on their part, that I will likely still leave because greener pastures are still elsewhere to be found.

As much as I like the job, it's a disservice to myself to set myself up to be poorly prepared for the future, lack of technology and the ability to get my grubbies on it.

Anyways, just wanted to let it out. Any thoughts on how I should feel?

It's a JOB, not your life. Do you think they wouldn't lay you off if the need arose? Sure they would, no matter how bad your boss might feel about it. As long as they're getting what they are paying you for, don't sweat it.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: ATLien247
Is that $8K smount a one-time bonus or a salary increase?

It's a one time thing I'd imagine... I got a 4% salary increase (raise), and that honestly didn't amount to much. On top of that though, they dumped $8000 with the 'promotion'. Since it's just a title and not any actual responsibility though, my job is the same

I don't know why, but I feel a sense of loyalty and I will feel really bad when I leave, but you guys are definately right in to think about ME, and what's best for ME.

I will just feel bad thinking about me, that's all. Is that weird or no?

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: ATLien247
Is that $8K smount a one-time bonus or a salary increase?

It's a one time thing I'd imagine... I got a 4% salary increase (raise), and that honestly didn't amount to much. On top of that though, they dumped $8000 with the 'promotion'. Since it's just a title and not any actual responsibility though, my job is the same

I don't know why, but I feel a sense of loyalty and I will feel really bad when I leave, but you guys are definately right in to think about ME, and what's best for ME.

I will just feel bad thinking about me, that's all. Is that weird or no?

Weird - no. But I'd bet you have the same problems with relationships, and that you get taken advantage of.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: sixone
Weird - no. But I'd bet you have the same problems with relationships, and that you get taken advantage of.

Not really... but I've been pretty lucky that most of my breakups (and there's not a lot) have been pretty amicable so I guess I didn't have that opportunity

I'm still friends with 3 of my 4 past ex/gfs, so I guess that works out. The only one I'm not is a super crazy beeyotch

 

[Krazy4Real]

I used to feel a kind of loyalty towards a company I used to work for. Long story short, after 4 years of service they decide they don't need me anymore and get rid of me despite having nothing but good things to say. In the exit interview my supervisor even said, "If you ever need a good reference tell them to give me a call." I was so pissed. I'm looking out only for me now. You should do the same.

 

[Aharami]

dont sweat it. enjoy the extra money for now until u find a job with even more money

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Scribe

Originally posted by: sixone
Weird - no. But I'd bet you have the same problems with relationships, and that you get taken advantage of.

Not really... but I've been pretty lucky that most of my breakups (and there's not a lot) have been pretty amicable so I guess I didn't have that opportunity

I'm still friends with 3 of my 4 past ex/gfs, so I guess that works out. The only one I'm not is a super crazy beeyotch

You must be pretty smart about picking them in the first place. 3 out of 4 is good. :beer:

 

[mrrman]

Money is not always the answer...Id rather be at a lower paying job and be satisfied than a higher paying job and being miserable

 

[acemcmac]

Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot. I've been filling in for my boss since May, doing all of the extra work and getting none of the pay. Did I mention that yesterday they terminated the search for his replacement?!

I wasn't hired for my own job which is worth at least 3x my current, barley making ends meet wage!

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: EGGO
I can definately empathize.

Sit down and tell him this, I'd say. Be gentle and slow.

And if he gets mad, pull a 'Fight Club' scenario on him.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: mrrman
Money is not always the answer...Id rather be at a lower paying job and be satisfied than a higher paying job and being miserable

This isn't about money really, it's about a future. I know that if I stay here, I put myself at a disadvantage in the future. If at some point I leave this job (nobody stays one place forever), my experience is going to be limited because my company likes to upgrade slowly. So if there's Windows 2009 Server out, we will probably still be on Windows 2003. And that sucks if I'm looking for a job that requires knowledge of 2009.

Besides I get along well with everybody I've ever worked with, and I usually don't have problems. Besides the closer commute and more money would help a LOT to reduce the amount of stress I have lately from all this commuting and VERY little "me" time.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: franksta
You do what's best for you.

And if anybody holds that against you they're in the wrong.

 

[randal]

how far is your commute? also, a 4% increase is fair a regular annual increase. If it's an extra $8k annually as well, then ... yea, stay for a while.

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: Krazy4Real
I used to feel a kind of loyalty towards a company I used to work for. Long story short, after 4 years of service they decide they don't need me anymore and get rid of me despite having nothing but good things to say. In the exit interview my supervisor even said, "If you ever need a good reference tell them to give me a call." I was so pissed. I'm looking out only for me now. You should do the same.

Been there. I was laid off after 7 years. They call me back in a couple of months later for a new project. My manager says the owner really appreciates it and will "take care of me" once this project ends. The project lasted almost 3 years, I got an ok raise about halfway through the project... and was laid off as soon as the project ended.

So much for being taken care of. I no longer have any particular loyalty to my employer. They'll think nothing of kicking you to the curb, get what you can and get out if it makes sense.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: randal
how far is your commute? also, a 4% increase is fair a regular annual increase. If it's an extra $8k annually as well, then ... yea, stay for a while.

About an hour and a half with normal traffic. If it's summer and people are going down the shore (I live on the way to the shore), it can take up to 3 hours due to traffic. Just the other day coming into work, it took me two hours and twenty minutes. It's pretty obscene, the commute is ~50 miles each way.

 

[ColdFusion718]

Business is business, if the company had $$ troubles and they need to get rid of some people, they wouldn't hesistate for a second to do it, don't feel bad man.

 

[Shyatic]

Originally posted by: ColdFusion718
Business is business, if the company had $$ troubles and they need to get rid of some people, they wouldn't hesistate for a second to do it, don't feel bad man.

Yea, that's definately true. I am waiting on word from dropping my resume to my friend, I guess we'll see how it goes.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: ColdFusion718
Business is business, if the company had $$ troubles and they need to get rid of some people, they wouldn't hesistate for a second to do it, don't feel bad man.

Exactly. Everyone from the CEO down to the mail room guy is looking out for #1. Take the money. When the time is right to jump ship, jump.