Do I dare ask for

[sonj]

a Raise?


I have been at my job for a yr and 3 months. I did not ask for a raise at my year, hoping my boss would offer. He didn't. I work for a small company 3 people, that includes me and the owner. I work 4 hrs a day M-F. I am the first to admit I don't always have a lot to do. I spend a lot of time entertaining myself ie surfing the web and doing my nails. So with that being said, part of me does not think I deserve a raise. But my boss told his techinician that he is really lucky to have me........


The technician who has been here 4 mths got a raise. Granted he does work a lot harder then me, he (the technician) said I should ask for a raise.

What do you all think.

TIA!

Sonj

[Fern]

Re: Do I dare ask for

This sounds like the kind of question that would appear in that Sunday NYT column, the one where readers send in ethical dilemma type questions and the "ethicist" answers them from a perspective of doing what's morally right.

You say you work part time, and that you don't always have a lot to do.

The fact that someone else got a raise after 4 months is sort of beside the point. Based on your boss' comments, sounds like he is a nice person to say something so flattering about you, but that doesn't mean you should take advantage of him.

I think you could ask your boss for a "cost of living" adjustment to cover inflation, say 3%. During the conversation, tell him you are eager to take on more responsibility to fill up your time. That should clinch it.

[sonj]

Re: Do I dare ask for

First of all, just cause the Technician got a raise after 4 mths does not mean I feel I deserve one.

And if I wanted to take advantage of my boss I would done so already....when he said I would get a raise after 90 days of employment. I never reminded him and I did not ask for a raise at my 1yr.



And Second, if not for me and taking the initiative I would be SOOO much less busy then I am now. Since it is a small business, I offered to hang up flyers and pass them out to get business, without any gas money being offered by my boss. I started keeping track of way more information then he ever thought he needed now he depends on the info I have. I clean the office, with out ever being asked. I truly do things there, but it being a small business some days/weeks/months are slower then others. my dielma are slow times my fault? My boss has never commented on me not doing enough...oh I am just rambeling now.....anywho, thanks again.

[BAGAGT1]

Re: Do I dare ask for

It sounds to me like you add value to your employers business, that said, I think you should ask for a raise.

[2moretrees]

Re: Do I dare ask for

If you feel that you deserve a raise, then you should ask for one. Have a list of points of what you do and why you feel you deserve it. The more prepared you ar, the better the chance of getting one.

[Fern]

Re: Do I dare ask for

I'm sorry, sonj, i didn't mean to upset you, but i was just responding to points you made in your initial note.

If your boss was supposed to give you a review/raise after 90 days, then don't be a martyr, ask him about it.

[jmjj215]

Re: Do I dare ask for

You first and second posts created a different picture for me. After the first post I thought you had a cush job and shouldn't ask for a raise. After reading the second post I thought you deserved one! Ask! (And way to take initiative like that - very cool).

[shengmei]

Re: Do I dare ask for

The worst that can possibly happen is the boss can say no.

Do it...it shouldn't hurt at all.

[marglo]

Re: Do I dare ask for

Sonj, when I read your second post I felt you feel you should get a raise...if you feel that way...go for it, ask for a raise.

[tuscan minoque]

Re: Do I dare ask for

In that case you should ask for a raise and if you don't get a raise atleast you would feel better to be brave enough to have asked.

[sonj]

Re: Do I dare ask for

Thank you everyone for your posts...I did ask for a "cost of living increase" as advised above...the only question my boss had for me was "how much were you thinking?" I said "what you think is suitable, I do not have a amount in mind." I got my raise and was very pleased with it, even I was not expecting as much as I got.

[tuscan minoque]

Re: Do I dare ask for

I am very happy to hear that you got through with your raise,in the future don't be afraid to ask,it can be yes or a no and in this case you got a yes-Congradulations!!!

[Fern]

Re: Do I dare ask for

Congratulations. I'm glad it worked out.