CRLLS
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Simply stated, "Time to move on." Count this as a learning lesson. You'll have many lessons over the course of your work life.
So just wanted to provide the crowd an update.
I had a convo with my boss today about what my bonus $ would be for 2016. It was lower than last year's, and my boss said, "I know you're probably disappointed so let me explain..." He said his was lower than both last year's and the year before and that in general everyone's was either flat or lower than other prior years, even though we hit our revenue figure this year, in order to pad for next year since we are expecting a lower year.
He also went on to say that him and my other boss submitted a higher bonus $ figure for me than I got. The "higher ups" decided to give me less than what my two bosses submitted for me and the "higher ups" only wanted to give me what they ultimately ended up giving me. He said that some higher ups have a tarnished perspective of me (our company is a very dispersed group - not all in the same office dispersed throughout the US so keep in mind I only see some higher ups quarterly, if that...) because they think I've been too aggressive in pushing for promotions and taking on more work. While they all think I've done a good job, they don't think I've hit it out of the park which is why they said I haven't been promoted, in addition to being too aggressive and not trusting them.
My boss then began to say things like "when you become promoted, we will let you know and be fully supportive of it" but he iterated that I keep my head down, focus on my work and constantly hitting home runs.
My boss said he was on my side through all this and while he agrees I have been a little aggressive he supports me and thinks I am a great worker. I told him at the end of the convo I appreciated all the detail and candid talk but that now I am more concerned about my viability in the company and if it is really a good fit for me as i initially intended on growing there for a while but I was concerned about this now given my "perception". He then said that he thinks it is "repairable" and that I can change my image around and i shouldn't be concerned about that as long as I keep my head down and trust that they have my best interests at hand.
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Sounds indeed like a great talk you had. Open and constructive.
Have to say I'm a bit puzzled with the decisive "get out" advice many are giving here. Guess we all learn from experience. I'd probably stay, adjust attitude and make sure that is felt by higher ups. Get frequent feedback to avoid being blind-sided.
Of course it doesn't hurt to look around in the mean time ..
The 5% that was not so positive was that they said they think I am being too aggressive about my career growth and that "perception is reality" and it may come off the wrong way to some people.
Huge jumps in pay normally result from moving to another employer concurrent with a higher level position. What kind of money are you worth somewhere else ?
The usual solution is to move up AND out.
I'm not sure it makes sense to try and find a new job...say, I land a 25% pay increase, but in 2018, I could attain that pay increase with more growth to spare for future years at my current firm, whereas at another firm, I may hit a wall sooner.
In the whole scheme of my net worth and (mostly) job satisfaction at my current job, I need to decide if it make sense to swallow my pride and stubbornness and just deal with it for another year and see how things go, or not b*tch about it and actually do something about it (job search).
Don't forget to groom a guy (or gal) for your job during the year.
One way to not get promoted is to not have a replacement trained beforehand.
I had a convo with my boss today about what my bonus $ would be for 2016. It was lower than last year's, and my boss said, "I know you're probably disappointed so let me explain..." He said his was lower than both last year's and the year before and that in general everyone's was either flat or lower than other prior years, even though we hit our revenue figure this year, in order to pad for next year since we are expecting a lower year.
....It is also important that you do not burn bridges. You never know one, 5 10, or more years down the road when you might encounter your management chain or co-workers in another setting - even another company in the same industry - and they will remember your past.
Ok now I'm confused. On Jan 17 your boss was "She" (mentioned at least twice...she). Today it's "He".
sup?
As far as the get-out advice goes, my personal experience is: even if your boss is sincere and is truly giving you his best advice, he is likely doing so for his personal well being, not yours. He doesn't want to have to go thru the ordeal of replacing an employee and training a new one. At least not without warning, which you have now given him. 2nd, he doesn't want his bosses to see his reports jumping ship. 3rd, your boss has no real pull with his boss's bosses. Evidenced by both he and his boss did not win your battle with the "higher ups". In my observation, this means you are now at the level you will be until new management comes in.
Thanks again for everyone's insight! I do appreciate it.
I have two bosses - one is a "he" and one is a "she"
While all of your posts have been very insightful, it has led me to conclude that everyone has different approaches and "styles" to situations like this in the workplace and that there isn't necessarily a right or a wrong answer, I think it just depends on what the end goal is (earn as much as possible? Experience? Resume builder? Job security? Coast through work? Team compatibility? Wanting/enjoying to work in a specific industry).
Anyway, the saga continues and takes an even more interesting twist.
This week they have announced 3 lay offs. I dont know if there will be more but I suspect there might be.
The bad news is that 3 people lost their jobs and one person was so sad they were crying on their way out. It is a sad thing so I felt bad for them.
Only one lay off was in my department, and was the person I was referencing above ("my predecessor") who is slightly more senior than me with a little bit more responsibility than me.
I was surprised by this. I spoke with him and he said that they didn't do a year end review with him and never had him set his goals and also aren't giving him a year end bonus. On the contrary for me as I did have all of the above and am getting a year end bonus. So i am led to believe that I made the cut but who knows??
I'm still stomaching all of this and will have a better feel for things after a couple months. I do know that my predecessor's job responsibilities will be dispersed amongst the team and, as unfortunate as it is for them to be laid off, I think it is creating opportunity for me and is a favorable thing for me assuming I want to stay at my current company. I will have even more work for 2017 yet with no promotion or pay change.
My plan is to stick through it for a couple months and see how I feel. I foresee two outcomes 1) keeping my head down and giving 110% in taking on the additional responsibilities and have it result favorably for me within the next year or 2) by June be completely fed up with things and jump ship somewhere else.
Time will tell!
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You're young, so can recover quite well. There are usually significant twists and turns in the business world. One move often leads to another, so work at improving your skills, and things will be ok.My plan is to stick through it for a couple months and see how I feel. I foresee two outcomes 1) keeping my head down and giving 110% in taking on the additional responsibilities and have it result favorably for me within the next year or 2) by June be completely fed up with things and jump ship somewhere else.