Career Q & A
By Alan Kearns
December 5, 2005
I am in a senior role and have been working for the same organization for more than seven years. Some of my peers left recently and received a large salary increase for a similar role with a competitive organization. I really do not want to leave. I enjoy my organization and the opportunities I am currently working on. However, I sense I am paid below market value. How can I deal with this without compromising my relationship with my employer?
First, you have to be willing to take some risk by discussing the issue with your employer. These types of conversations are not usually comfortable for either party, but are necessary for both of you. The people that have left your organization create a stronger business case for both your internal and external value, both of which are important.
Internal value is the amount of information you have about the organization, its systems, and its clients, as well as your skill set and "goodwill". There is a lot of data to show it costs, on average, $100,000 to replace a professional employee. External value is what your skill set is worth in the marketplace, which can be influenced by several factors, including growth in global demand, new employers in the market, and changes in legislation.
Approach your employer with an understanding of these factors as they relate to you and your role in the organization. The key is to avoid approaching the situation in a threatening way. Instead, present the information and make it clear that, while a number of your peers have left, you want to stay and are committed to the organization. The spirit in which you deal with this issue is crucial; there can be a lot of emotion involved, especially when it comes to finances. Your organization may be feeling more stress, especially with the number of changes that have occurred with people leaving the team.
Make sure your boss is the decision-maker. You need to talk to the person who will make the decision. Ultimately, the way your employer responds to this issue will show you whether the organization is a good fit, or if it is time to grab a coffee with a former colleague and get the process of introductions rolling.
Alan Kearns is the Head Coach and the Brand Champion! of CareerJoy.
He is one of Canada's foremost experts on all things career. With more than
14 years of experience coaching people through successful career changes,
he brings an intimate knowledge of the entire transition process to all of
his clients. To contact Alan about paid professional services, e-mail alan@careerjoy.com
or visit his web site www.careerjoy.com.
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Disclaimer: Advice and recommendations are based on limited information provided and should be used as a guideline only. Neither the author nor CharityVillage.com make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability for accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in whole or in part within this article.
