[splitimage]

I've only ever asked for a raise once before in my life, and now I'm about to do it again. I e-mailed my boss for an appointment, and he said this afternoon EEP. I was expecting to have a couple of days to prepare.

Ok - here's the deal. I'm more highly qualified, with specific technical skills that would be hard to replace (Accounting and software), and I'm being underpaid relative to others within the organization. So I want my compensation to be brought in line with what other's are being paid.

I'm just really nervous.

Wish me luck please.

--splitimage

[amante]

Sounds like you have your talented areas lined up and you are as prepared as ever and ready to ask, I say go for it, you have nothing to lose, I hope he says YES, and you get that BIG FAT RAISE you deserve. Good luck.

[ldm120206]

You go for it!!!! Best of luck!!!

[(JD)]

Good wishes on this!
Ok, breathe.
Try to not make it "personal" (though it seems to be yeah?)
and make it business.
Good business practices compensate employees
equitably.
Now, many businesses have it in the contract that you don't discuss salaries with other employees ... so stay away from that if you can, they might have recourse to fire you for mentioning it. (Sorry, didn't want to add to your stress.)
HOWEVER, you CAN suggest the salary you want, and if you can quote other such payscales by other similar businesses, EVEN IF IT'S HIGHER than what you want, do so.
You might ask for a pay raise to a level just above what you know others are being given, especially if you can justify your exceptional work. Who knows? You might get that amount, but at least, if they're willing to be equitable, you'll at least receive the equal amount? Or we hope so.
Be confident. It's a good employee who can present this issue strongly, without emotions, just "because" it is the right thing for the company to do.
Think also about your responses depending upon their response, or lack thereof. If they say they'll consider it, can you ask them to give you a time limit on that, or are you just able to let it float?

[Beholden]

Hey, this is great. Good luck to you splitimage! I hear happy harp music in the background, do you?

Don't know if you watched the new show that started right after the superbowl on Sunday or not, but it is about the Boss going undercover to see what the employees have to say about the company, etc. Hope you saw it. It was all about those who were confident and then got rewarded because they really did have special qualifications, just like you do.

Good luck, splitimage.

[splitimage]

Thanks everybody. Well I did it. I had as back up documentation the last salary survey done by my accounting association showing what people with my level of experience are earning, and I'm obviously underpaid.

Sky, I get what you're saying about not discussing other people's salaries, except my boss knows perfectly well that I know exactly what everybody makes, since I do payroll for the company.

Between base salary and Bonus, I asked for a 15% raise.

My boss didn't shoot me down immediately, and says he'll raise it with the managing director when he's back in the office.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

--splitimage

Well done.

[Beholden]

You sound very positive splitimage! Way to go.