Should I tell my boss that I would consider leaving?
Discussion
Not sure how to play this, but its annual review time coming up and I'm after a pay rise (aren't we all, but keep with me...)
During the last year I have achieved a sought after qualification within my field, one that would enable my company to earn more out of me. Likewise, i'm now more attractive to other companies...
So, if i'm fobbed off with the same old that I've had since 2008, should I say "I'm disappointed, but obviously if something else comes up I will have to give it serious consideration" or words to that effect?
Or should I get up, kick the chair over and then get him in a head lock until he agrees?
During the last year I have achieved a sought after qualification within my field, one that would enable my company to earn more out of me. Likewise, i'm now more attractive to other companies...
So, if i'm fobbed off with the same old that I've had since 2008, should I say "I'm disappointed, but obviously if something else comes up I will have to give it serious consideration" or words to that effect?
Or should I get up, kick the chair over and then get him in a head lock until he agrees?
If anyone tried to leverage a pay award from me which a threat of "I'll go/look elsewhere" it had the following effect;
1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
I view it a bit like poker. He has cards, you have cards. You hold them close to your chest as does he. You need to play out the hand as best you can and the thing is you had better be ready for him to call your bluff.
As someone else says better to go in with better cards if you will by having an offer that even though you don't necessarily want as much can at least tak if it all goes unexpectedly.
As someone else says better to go in with better cards if you will by having an offer that even though you don't necessarily want as much can at least tak if it all goes unexpectedly.
I wouldn't threaten him, keep your cards close to the chest or anythingl.
I'd put together a case of why you think your undervalued- both internally in terms of value you bring to the company, and what the market externally views your value (and be careful what you say here- don't suggest you are going to leave, but suggest that you a re being under a fair market value, but being exepected to deliver fair market work)
I'd put together a case of why you think your undervalued- both internally in terms of value you bring to the company, and what the market externally views your value (and be careful what you say here- don't suggest you are going to leave, but suggest that you a re being under a fair market value, but being exepected to deliver fair market work)
Marcellus said:
If anyone tried to leverage a pay award from me which a threat of "I'll go/look elsewhere" it had the following effect;
1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
Fair enough, this is why asked.1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
Keep in mind that you have invested heavily in someone, would you let that investment go?
It depends on your relationship with your boss. I explained to mine that after 2 years without a pay rise after moving from contracting to permanent, that I even though I didn't want to I would be forced to go back contracting unless I received a decent salary increase. Which after some discussion 
they were happy to provide. It was all discussed very reasonably, it wasn't blackmail or a threat just a reasonable discussion of the situation. I wanted to stay, they wanted me to stay, but the salary had to meet my needs. I could still earn considerably more if I went elsewhere but I enjoy this job and the lifestyle it allows.
they were happy to provide. It was all discussed very reasonably, it wasn't blackmail or a threat just a reasonable discussion of the situation. I wanted to stay, they wanted me to stay, but the salary had to meet my needs. I could still earn considerably more if I went elsewhere but I enjoy this job and the lifestyle it allows.PugwasHDJ80 said:
I wouldn't threaten him, keep your cards close to the chest or anythingl.
I'd put together a case of why you think your undervalued- both internally in terms of value you bring to the company, and what the market externally views your value (and be careful what you say here- don't suggest you are going to leave, but suggest that you a re being under a fair market value, but being exepected to deliver fair market work)
This is what I mean about the Poker. It is a negotiation. The boss wants to pay the least possible and the worker wants the most. There is no need for threats but that is what is going on in the backgorund I'd put together a case of why you think your undervalued- both internally in terms of value you bring to the company, and what the market externally views your value (and be careful what you say here- don't suggest you are going to leave, but suggest that you a re being under a fair market value, but being exepected to deliver fair market work)
Some good advice here is to state some various good reasons and see how they are batted back and whether you are happy with that.
Bluequay said:
It depends on your relationship with your boss. I explained to mine that after 2 years without a pay rise after moving from contracting to permanent, that I even though I didn't want to I would be forced to go back contracting unless I received a decent salary increase. Which after some discussion they were happy to provide. It was all discussed very reasonably, it wasn't blackmail or a threat just a reasonable discussion of the situation. I wanted to stay, they wanted me to stay, but the salary had to meet my needs. I could still earn considerably more if I went elsewhere but I enjoy this job and the lifestyle it allows.
This is exactly my position, I want to stay and they want me to stay. But If I stay on current salary I might have to sell my house. they were happy to provide. It was all discussed very reasonably, it wasn't blackmail or a threat just a reasonable discussion of the situation. I wanted to stay, they wanted me to stay, but the salary had to meet my needs. I could still earn considerably more if I went elsewhere but I enjoy this job and the lifestyle it allows.Marcellus said:
If anyone tried to leverage a pay award from me which a threat of "I'll go/look elsewhere" it had the following effect;
1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
Depends on the job, how many people do the same thing etc. If there's 50 people doing more or less the same thing then it's a lot different to if there's one or two.1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
If we have someone leave it's a disaster - takes ages to find someone with suitable technical and commercial capabilities, and customers and suppliers hate having to work with someone new while they come up to speed, which can take months.
However some employees realise this and can become arrogant. We let them go.
I don't think there's a set rule as it depends on the company and your position.
Having struggled for a couple of years to get paid anywhere close to what I should have been earning I ended up sitting down and telling them that I still felt underpaid for the work and responsibility I was expected to take and basically thought that there was nothing more for me there (small business). Told them what I expected to be paid, which was still way under the market rate for the title and nothing changed.
However they needed me more than I needed them, so I was in a position where I was still working as usual and it would have harmed the business to push me out completely.
I did leave though and got way more than I'd asked for at the previous job, so screw them
If you aren't in that position and maybe somewhat disposable then probably best to just keep it under wraps.
Having struggled for a couple of years to get paid anywhere close to what I should have been earning I ended up sitting down and telling them that I still felt underpaid for the work and responsibility I was expected to take and basically thought that there was nothing more for me there (small business). Told them what I expected to be paid, which was still way under the market rate for the title and nothing changed.
However they needed me more than I needed them, so I was in a position where I was still working as usual and it would have harmed the business to push me out completely.
I did leave though and got way more than I'd asked for at the previous job, so screw them
If you aren't in that position and maybe somewhat disposable then probably best to just keep it under wraps.
Dr Murdoch said:
This is exactly my position, I want to stay and they want me to stay. But If I stay on current salary I might have to sell my house.
Tell him this.Basically you cant afford to stay anyway so you have nothing to lose.
Just avoid at all costs making it a threat. If you do it as a threat I agree with Marcellus above.
Actually make it a positive i.e. tell him you love it there and you want to stay long term but you find it hard financially and ask if he can think about doing more for you.
Marcellus said:
If anyone tried to leverage a pay award from me which a threat of "I'll go/look elsewhere" it had the following effect;
1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
1000% this.1) 0% increase.
2) 0% chance of career progression.
3) Restricted access to "sensitive" information/activity.
4) Mentally wrote the employee off from my mind.
5) Ensured I had someone able and ready to replace them.
SO far from your desired effect OP!
Only EVER threaten to go when you have another contract in your hand.
Never ever make empty threats.
blindswelledrat said:
Tell him this.
Basically you cant afford to stay anyway so you have nothing to lose.
Just avoid at all costs making it a threat. If you do it as a threat I agree with Marcellus above.
Actually make it a positive i.e. tell him you love it there and you want to stay long term but you find it hard financially and ask if he can think about doing more for you.
This seems like the best way I think, or at least I can see it working.Basically you cant afford to stay anyway so you have nothing to lose.
Just avoid at all costs making it a threat. If you do it as a threat I agree with Marcellus above.
Actually make it a positive i.e. tell him you love it there and you want to stay long term but you find it hard financially and ask if he can think about doing more for you.
I was never going to make a threat though, just wondered whether honesty was the best policy?!
Seems like it is, but not too honest!
If you are not happy, tell your boss!
I see absolutely no value at all in keeping this a secret and I hear all the time that you should keep schtum until you find another job, etc, etc, etc.....
You need to ask yourself the question, what is it you want? If it is simply more money, tell your boss this. He will be well aware that if he can't do this and you are worth it that you could leave. His hands may be tied or he simply doesnt think you are worth the additional cash but unless you make it clear you are not happy he will do nothing.
Maybe it isn't purely the money and it is increased responsibility or a wider role you are looking for but again, talk to him and tell him that is what you are looking for.
This is what reviews/appraisals are for. I have lost count of the number of times that employees expect you to be a mind reader. I just don't understand why people think that they shouldn't have to discuss these things.
Do it, you may get a nice surprise.......
I see absolutely no value at all in keeping this a secret and I hear all the time that you should keep schtum until you find another job, etc, etc, etc.....
You need to ask yourself the question, what is it you want? If it is simply more money, tell your boss this. He will be well aware that if he can't do this and you are worth it that you could leave. His hands may be tied or he simply doesnt think you are worth the additional cash but unless you make it clear you are not happy he will do nothing.
Maybe it isn't purely the money and it is increased responsibility or a wider role you are looking for but again, talk to him and tell him that is what you are looking for.
This is what reviews/appraisals are for. I have lost count of the number of times that employees expect you to be a mind reader. I just don't understand why people think that they shouldn't have to discuss these things.
Do it, you may get a nice surprise.......
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