Did I mention having a meeting with my boss maybe two weeks ago, regarding my currently inaccurate job title? Truthfully, it's been inaccurate since about 2010, and I've been trying to have it addressed for as long. Anyway, we talked, he said he'd bring it up with HR & see what they said. I even gave him a new job description (with a new title as well, in case corporate doesn't have a title that fits my current role). He set meeting for a week later, and when we met to discuss it, he told me that I was being fairly compensated, based on regional comparables for my job title, which is why I got a 1.5% raise again this year (as I'm at the top of my pay grade)
1) That's not what we discussed, why are you even telling me this?
2) I know my pay is within acceptable ranges for my title - the problem is the title is wrong!
To paraphrase (because I don't recall exactly what I said), I essentially told him that was unacceptable and I would like to have a meeting with both him and HR to address it further.
That meeting was today. It turns out my boss didn't even give the HR rep my current and proposed job title documents (which I provided for him), and the HR rep was unaware that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss correcting it. She thought it was a pay raise issue only, and had documentation to show why my pay was right for my title. I had to completely explain everything over again to her (while my boss was sitting there). It was nerve-wracking, but I think I made a strong case, and I closed with the fact that I've been trying to get this addressed for 10+ years; that I'd asked many times before what I can do to continue to grow with the company, to have a future there, because for the last 5-6 years, the company's "merit increase" as they call it, didn't even keep up with inflation, which meant my salary has been steadily decreasing. I also explained that I really enjoy working there, that I like the company, the benefits, the people, and the work, which suits me very well, but that I want to feel that my contributions are actually respected, and that I'd like to know I have a path forward.
I felt really good about standing up for myself for the rest of the afternoon, but by the time I got home, I was starting to panic. I realized that I basically told them I want to be able to make more money, or I'd be looking for other work. That's mildly terrifying for me. I could have chosen to keep skating by on my current salary & maybe have been able to "early-retire" in another five years. I've now put that in jeopardy, and I was starting to freak out a bit. So I went out to that garage when I got home & had a workout, then went for a walk.
I'm feeling a bit better now, and I remind myself that I have an emergency fund if they let me go. I also have contacts at other local companies who may be able to help me find other work, as well as many l1nked1n contacts, so I'll likely be fine if the 'worst' happens. On the other hand, maybe I'll actually be taken care of for once, and they'll do right by me...
BWAhAhahaaahaaahaha... sorry, just... the thought of a company/corporation "doing right" by anyone made me laugh!
Ugh...
p.s. I have a new little crush on an HR woman (not the one in the meeting). She's very friendly/nice, also very attractive, and I just found out, lives in my neighborhood (we ran into each other when I was on a run one night - she was walking her dog). Ever since then, when we pass by each other at work, she's made an effort to meet my gaze & we always say hi & smile at each other. (Yes, I realize that's not a big deal, but before then, we'd never said a word beyond one HR question I had, so just let me enjoy it!) Anyway, for some reason when we said hi this morning, I was struck by how blue her eyes are. It was almost like what happened with the Ft.Wayne gal when I met her. Anyway, it's fun, and it makes me smile, even if I know it likely won't go anywhere... (But maybe it will?)
p.p.s. Yesterday was my birthday. I don't celebrate it, but usually at least a few people will text me w/a b-day message. This year, I did get a message from my Portland cousin, his ma (my aunt, which hasn't happened since I was a teenager), and my online friend. Oh, and my bro-in-law. I also got a card in the mail from my ma (not sure if/how to acknowledge that). The thing that caught my attention most, though, was the fact that none of my bar-friends/acquaintances, nor the two exes that I still talk to, said anything, and I know several of them know my birth date. I guess it's just one more thing that shows me I need to move on from them.
6:01 p.m. - 2022-01-18
Recent entries:
Prognostication. - 2022-02-09
Another cold dip. - 2022-02-08
Cleaning house, so to speak. - 2022-02-02
Cold tub update, and another P.S. - 2022-01-21
"Imbeciles" - 2022-01-21
My profile
Archives
Notes
Email
Random
others:
misfitstray
warpednormal
silver4
comebacktome
elusive-you
linguafranca
loveherwell
dangerspouse
catsoul
life-my-way
fairybones
annanotbob2
swordfern
kelsi
ahopeinhell
stepfordtart
simeons-twin
bantenhut