Reasonable time frame for raise???

Cymy · Jun 26, 2007

Wow... you're lucky to have gotten raises on anniversary dates in the past. I haven't worked in nursing at all yet as I am still a student, but I have 14 years experience in business. Unfortunately in most office jobs the concept of a yearly raise or cost-of-living increase has been dead for years now. You need to be union to get that kind of treatment!

I suggest you don't hassle your boss about the raise too much, I doubt that once they realize you're not joking that they will find it funny at all. It may not only jeopardize your current employment but may damage your chances for a good recommendation in the future.

celery · Jun 26, 2007

I have been fortunate in that most jobs I have worked give an annual raise for cost of living as well as a merit increase as, well...merited. I am speaking of white collar jobs.

I think you should let the big wigs know that you are serious about your requirement for adequate rewards as well as your willingness to find a more reasonable environment if warranted.

miss arron · Jun 26, 2007

i would go back to him and ask him what the company's criteria is for getting a raise... at least that way you know what you need to do get one

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2007

Having worked in many similar office settings, I think your expectation of a raise within 2 weeks of your anniversary date is unreasonable. It seems you've been primed for this raise early and it has just increased your anticipation. If you want to leave for reasons that make a better life for you and your family, great....just make sure it isn't because it took your employer a few weeks to decide on a raise.

I get automatic anniversary raises but they come a month to 6 weeks after my anniversary date. (Payroll grinds slowly).

fins · Jun 26, 2007

I don't know where you got the idea that you're automatically entitled to a raise. Unless you have an employment contract that explicitly covers compensation, then management can do whatever they want to your pay - raise it, keep it the same, or cut it. Even if they gave you some vague assurance during the interview process about when raises occur, unless it's on paper, it's just hot air. So it isn't really a question of your employer breaking some legal obligation to you.

A lot of companies do give raises once a year, but that's a convention; it's not a requirement. You've got three choices: stay and keep your mouth shut and take the raise they give you when they give it to you, take a job somewhere else, or stay and try to talk them into giving you a raise.

If you think that the 3% difference (or whatever) is worth fighting for, then by all means go for it. Just realize that if you go in with the attitude "you OWE me this raise" then you're likely to get their defensive hackles up, which would not only hurt your chances for the raise, it could poison your position at your job.

Instead, you need to convince them that giving you a raise is a good deal for them - they get to keep a good worker happy.

Just don't think that a raise is something that you're automatically entitled to - it doesn't work that way. If this company isn't having trouble hiring enough workers, then odds are that they're not going to be inclined to give you the raise. In fact, the fact that the big-wig "chuckled" when you mentioned a raise doesn't make it sound too hopeful that you're going to come out on top.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 26, 2007

It's not unreasonable to expect an annual raise at your anniversary/review time. We get our raises all together in September, just to make it easy.

I agree with you that not getting a raise is unacceptable. I would definately vote with my feet if I didn't get a raise annually. Good luck.

SharonH, RN · Jun 26, 2007

You have already did the right thing by making your expectations known. If you go to your boss, humble, hat in hand acting as if they are doing you a favor by giving you a raise, then that is the way they are going to treat you. Unfortunately, too many nurses take this attitude and that is a part of the problem as to why salaries are low. Having said that, you should give them at least a couple of weeks to make it happen although on my last review, I was awarded my raise with the very next paycheck. If they choose not to give you a raise, then vote with your feet.

sun_chica · Jun 26, 2007

Thanks for all the input... much appreciated!

This whole review/raise thing is just one more reason I'm becoming much more frustrated with my current position. I really wanted to 'stay' the same job til I finish my BS degree, but the lack of recognition for a job well done is really getting old. And, the hour commute each way doesn't make it any easier.

Thanks again for your thoughts;)

caliotter3 · Jun 27, 2007

I haven't worked for companies that gave automatic raises except for a union job. But I have had discussions over rate of pay in relation to other employees' rate of pay. Whatever the criteria for pay raises: if it does not meet your expectations, especially now that you have made your dissatisfaction known, that should give you the impetus to look for a new employer. But you should ask about this subject when you get hired. Don't expect automatic raises, it is now the exception and not the norm with employers today.

sun_chica · Jun 28, 2007

I'm well aware that in today's market, there is no guarantee of a raise. However, when you bust your butt for a small company and maintain the highest percentage for overall performance on my cases audited (for timeliness, accuracy, completeness), I expect some financial recognition. We'll see how it goes... I figure I'll 'remind them/check-in' in another week. I'm really not trying to be a pain... but I NEED the $$$.

Actually, I just spoke to my neighbor yesterday (she's a nurse), and she told me about an opening at her facility... I think it may be time to see what else is out there. I'll let you know how it turns out!!

jojotoo, RN · Jun 28, 2007

Think about it before you make a decision in haste, especially if you like the job that you're in. The grass usually ISN"T greener on the other side of the fence.

I would think that you're less likely to get an automatic annual increase at a small employer. It would be at their discretion and on their time table. Larger places have HR policies in place for merit increases or COLA .

At my facility (private 250 bed hosp) we don't even have a system in place for merit raises. All increases are tied to the union negotiations and a mediocre nurse gets the same increase as an excellent nurse.