https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:13:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2680017 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 07:27:02 +0000 mrbee 2680017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A bunch of my friends and family work in finance. I think you have to have the mindset that you're willing to walk in order to get the really big raises. If your boss suspects you're going to leave, then they will move heaven and earth to keep you! Unless you actually stick 'em up with an offer from a competitor and demand a higher counter-offer; that usually blows up over time, but I've seen that have good results in the short term. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2680015 Sat, 14 Jan 2017 07:09:42 +0000 Anagram 2680015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, here's a small update. She had the meeting with her boss, went over her accomplishments for the year, went over her previous 4 years bonus and showed how it was relatively flat, talked about overall compensation vs years of experience. Basically she just got things off her chest.</p> <p>Well, the result of the meeting was that her boss is going to ask for an exception with HR to do a mid year promotion to get her salary closer to where she thinks she should be. The boss doesn't know if HR will allow him, but he's going to try.</p> <p>I was telling my husband about this last night, and he said she did the exact right thing and he would have done the same. I'm so impressed with my friend because I feel like I wouldn't have the guts to negotiate like this! Maybe because my line of work doesn't do this so I've had no practice. But I'm the worst at just accepting what I get.</p> <p>So there's a lesson for us all here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679618 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 13:19:39 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2679618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: It certainly doesn't hurt to ask. There usually isn't anything preventing them from doing so legally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679598 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 13:02:25 +0000 kiddosc 2679598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with others that promotions are political. This sounds to me like her manager didn't sell her well. If I were her, I would like more information about how the conversation with HR went. I agree that several managers probably submitted their best people and then had to sell them to HR. If she's interested in staying with this company, I think that she needs to network more and possible go over her manager's head to someone that can really describe how she's been an asset to the business. This really sounds like her manager failed her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679596 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:59:59 +0000 Anagram 2679596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@skipra: That's a good point---she could have gotten the title and the same additional 10k and that's it. Getting the promotion doesn't have to mean getting a huge raise, since there is overlap. So maybe it's just the fact that others got promoted, rather than the pay. It probably just stings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679593 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:58:36 +0000 Anagram 2679593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2PeasinaPod: Do big banks give mid year promotions? I don't even know. I should ask her or my husband. If that's a possibility, then she should definitely ask for that. And start testing the waters at other places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679585 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:39:45 +0000 skipra 2679585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So DH was in a similar position. They have been promising a promotion forever, and he was told at the last review period he was finally getting it. So they bumped him barely a level and gave him like a $1,500 raise. Totally insulting! So he made a big stink about it because the work that he was doing and what was expected of him was nearly impossible with the title they gave him because other people in the company wouldn't give him the time of day. He was basically at a senior level and running an entire department with several people reporting to him. His work and responsibilities were equivalent to people 2 levels above him. He had to go above his boss's head to get what he wanted but he did. So if it looks like she is being treated unfairly, she will have to advocate for herself. Bring examples and why she deserves it, etc. Maybe she can request a meeting with her boss and his or her boss to see what happened and why she wasn't promoted but others with less experience were. But personally, I find a $10k raise to be huge! I am surprised she is so upset with that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679579 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:28:48 +0000 2PeasinaPod 2679579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, a few things. The first is that she will want to focus on herself. Focusing on what others have gotten specifically isn't going to get her anywhere. She needs to focus on her own accomplishments</p> <p>Next, she needs to make a list of all of the things she accomplished this year, and formally ask for the promotion. If they are unable to give her a mid-year promotion, she'll want a list of goals or things that she needs to accomplish over the next year in order to move to the next level. This way, when the time comes for her review again next year, she can pull out that list and tick off the things that she was told she needed to accomplish. If she doesn't get moved to the next level, then a visit with HR would be my next move.</p> <p>In the meantime, she does need to look for what else is out there. It's easy to get comfortable with where you are, and it's scary to move, but if her current company isn't recognizing her talents and is specifically telling her that they know she could get paid more at another company, it's essentially telling her that they know she's loyal and will NOT reward her for that. That's incredibly telling about the company. It's unfortunate that they would say something like that to her, but they don't value her and they're under paying her for her experience and work. Take that experience and work to a company that will appreciate it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679559 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 12:01:35 +0000 littlejoy 2679559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally hear you - expectation vs. reality. I'm self-employed, but my husband usually gets a $10k raise each year (and we are happy with that), so I was thinking that her raise sounded "fair". </p> <p>The numbers you mentioned make my head spin (I'm very much not a NYC finance professional, haha). It sounds like she only received about a 1/4 of what was expected ... I can see why she'd be so torn. I absolutely think it's worth looking for another opportunity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679529 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:36:01 +0000 gingerbebe 2679529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be looking for another job. If this company wont value me, another will. Get a headhunter, look for jobs, and start going on interviews. In the meeting I'd just tell my boss the last 2 years with the bonuses and workload has been frustrating (just so they are on notice I'm not pleased about it) but wouldn't say I'm actively applying to other jobs. They know what that means and they can read between the lines. Then when I get an offer I can try to leverage with my current firm if I want to, but yeah I'd basically be looking for another job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679522 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:29:24 +0000 pwnstar 2679522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Totally agree regarding politics . . . it depends on who is championing your *cause* and how much political capital they have (and how much is available to them at that time) and how much sway they hold with the panel/decision makers. </p> <p>Also, if she threatens to leave, she needs to be able to do so on the spot, i.e., written offer in hand from another employer. Otherwise, that is not a card I would play to the extent that (1) it could blow up in her face, and (2) could make her appear to be disloyal (and would ultimately cause her to have to leave). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679520 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:27:02 +0000 Anagram 2679520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: @littlejoy: I guess you have to put it in the context of the financial industry in NYC. Where there can be MDs making anywhere from 200-700k in just bonuses. So a VP, two rungs down from an MD, might expect anywhere from 30-60k in bonus. And an ED might make 50k-150k in bonuses. These are all random numbers....not precise.</p> <p>These are made up numbers, but let's say before she was making 130k base with a 20k bonus. And lower rung ED would be making 150k with a 50k bonus. She thought she would be promoted to ED making 150 k with a 50k bonus...and instead it's her 4th year as a VP, now making 140k with the same 20k bonus. If that makes sense.</p> <p>Those are all made up numbers. I actually have no idea what she makes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679513 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:24:43 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2679513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I would put it in terms of percents. $10k is a 10% raise on a $100k salary. Thats pretty standard for what I know of for promotions. Unless you somehow were just taking on the the complete additional duties of another person, I dont see how $40k is reasonable. But again, I'm in education. </p> <p>Also, the grass isn't always greener. Maybe be thankful for what she did get and the good relationship she seems to have and the still open door potential for the ED position. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679511 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:23:13 +0000 snowjewelz 2679511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that these things are SO political and so much behind the scene stuff that you don't even know.. I worked for a big corporate company for 7 years and while I never made it that high, I've seriously seen it all... And so much of it is super unfair at times so I feel her :sad: </p> <p>I think things to ponder for her is A) Does she trust her boss to have her best interest in mind and will fight for her, etc. I think she should stay for a while to see what happens; since it's not like they didn't give her anything. It seems like they're at least trying. But I'd jump ship if this is not being followed up this year aggressively. With that said, at the end of the day, it's every man/woman for themselves, so even if her boss truly wants to help her, sometimes their hand are tied too... </p> <p>And B) she may or may not be better off with another job... She might be able to jump ship into ED position with better salary and all, but then what? So I really think if she's seriously consider quitting she needs to find a company that's very healthy, growing, and has potential for her long term. These things are not always easy to see till you're on the inside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679510 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:22:18 +0000 Anagram 2679510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: yeah, I had that question too. But I think she was expecting more, like around the ballpark of 40k more in total compensation per year. And instead, she got like 10k more.</p> <p>Again, to ME, as a teacher...I can't even imagine how amazing an additional 10k would be. My "raises" are like $500 a year. But I think my husband (who does something similar) would see it differently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679508 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:19:20 +0000 littlejoy 2679508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I was thinking the same thing. The original post says she's not being compensated for the extra work, but it sounds like the 10k raise is the compensation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679501 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:13:01 +0000 Mama Bird 2679501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well there's only so much room at the top, and it sounds like management above her boss doesn't see the extra effort she's putting in and/or doesn't value it enough. At least, that's my guess without knowing her company. Unless she's got a very good reason to stay, I'd recommend looking around for better opportunities. Promises of future promotion are nice, but they have a way of falling through if top management changes unexpectedly, or business slows down. At least, that's as far as the title... the 10K salary increase isn't bad at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679497 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:09:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2679497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait, so she did get a $10k bump in salary (promotion) and a bonus (but smaller than she expected). So she's just upset about not having the title yet? </p> <p>It honestly sounds like they are doing what they can for her. Yes, you took on more work but they are now compensating for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679493 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 11:05:17 +0000 Anagram 2679493@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: that's all good advice. I have no idea if she does that stuff, since I don't work with her. I think I'm just going to let her vent to us--and I gave her the tips about going into the meeting with a list of all her accomplishments from this year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679485 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:58:12 +0000 psw27 2679485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I totally understand. I also don't work in my husband's field (Finance) where it seems like the only way to get ahead is to jump ship. I'm an attorney but for the state government so no bonuses or perks over here too. I just keep hoping he gets annoyed and finds a nice job at a hedge fund in Bermuda - I'm over these cold winters! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679477 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:51:37 +0000 yoursilverlining 2679477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Looch that promotions are extremely political as well. It isn’t always about your work and duties, it’s about who the company (i.e., senior leaders, the talent committee, etc. not just direct managers) think are the future leaders of the company. It’s also about the personality fit - - and who likes who best. You need to have the right “connections”, for lack of a better term, in many cases.</p> <p>I also find (at least at my company) that besides having all of the above, that showing initiative and driving your own development is key. I can agree to take on a ton more responsibility and work and that’s great (and frankly, that’s a baseline expectation if we’re being honest here) but if I go out and look for the added responsibilities and look to take on new learnings/duties/whatnot *that* is what makes the difference. The people I see getting promoted promote themselves – they are constantly out there finding the opportunities to take on new things, not just taking on what their manager asks them to take on. Hope this makes sense. </p> <p>Oh, and yes, pay grades definitely overlap. If she's at the to of her pay scale, she may be making more now than someone newly promoted to the ED position. Difference comes in 5 years of course when the ED is making more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679473 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:40:21 +0000 Anagram 2679473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: My husband has been in a similar position before too, and ended up moving companies! But not right away....that's why we ended up in NYC actually. And I think if he doesn't move up soon, I may be writing a similar tune, haha. </p> <p>I think part of it is the nature of the business. Teaching is so, so different it's hard for me to get it (like...I would be THRILLED with any kind of bonus), but I can imagine it's super hard to be 35 with 10 years experience and see a 28 year old with 4 years experience move up faster and be higher. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679470 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:37:38 +0000 Anagram 2679470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, my husband said there can be an overlap in terms of pay and positions. Like it's possible for a person at the top of the scale on a lower level to be making a similar salary (or even more) than a person at the bottom of the compensation scale on a higher rung. So just because someone else made ED doesn't necessarily mean they are making more $$. That's the kind of thing you just can't know because people don't talk about their base and bonus. But it is possible that someone could be promoted higher and still make less than you at first.</p> <p>I told her that, but it didn't seem to make her feel better. Which is understandable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679468 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:35:22 +0000 Anagram 2679468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: That was one of the first things I asked, but apparently both a woman and a man with fewer years experience were promoted. I did just text her and ask if they are all in the same department/team and the 2 with less experience are on completely different departments, and one is in Asia, but they all have conference calls and chats online and they do work together on various projects, so she knows them (not closely) and knows they were promoted and that they have less experience. </p> <p>The other thing is she has a "technical" position and the other two don't and do purely managerial stuff--while she does both technical and managerial stuff. She wants to know if that's why they were promoted, because she thinks her skills are actually more useful. I guess that type of thing is debatable. </p> <p>I think going in with a list of accomplishments and extra duties she's taken on in the last year is a good idea. And maybe asking if a mid year promotion or pay increase is a good idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679466 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:33:07 +0000 psw27 2679466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I could have basically written this exact fact scenario about my husband and his job situation. He keeps doing more work and getting "flat" bonuses, very small raises and they keep blaming the economy, performance of the company, etc. They also dangle the carrot of him making the next promotion jump "next year" but it's never guaranteed. I don't know what he will do at this point. He's well compensated but knows he could be better compensated elsewhere.... So, he is starting to explore his options at this point. I can only imagine how frustrated your friend is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679463 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:31:54 +0000 Anagram 2679463@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: I have no idea if she's willing to move, but I think she should probably start seeing what's out there.. We are going to meet up next week for a mom's night out so I can find out more then. Maybe she was just venting, but she was venting in a text thread to 2 stay at home moms and a teacher (me). So outside of us all asking our husbands, we don't have any advice that is coming from personal experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679460 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:26:47 +0000 Mamaof2 2679460@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: so I assume one of those was the one she specifically wanted? In my company there are tons of VP's and President positions - but they require very different skill sets.</p> <p>Assuming yes, then I would have her list out what she has accomplished this past year and ask for guidance on why she was passed up considering X, Y, and Z.</p> <p>Is she willing to change jobs or does she want to stay with the company and is just frustrated? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679459 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:26:44 +0000 ShootingStar 2679459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my field sounds similar, though I'm not at Executive Director level, that's more like people with 10-15 years more experience than me, ha. But in the last year I did have some...interesting...experiences related to promotion.</p> <p>So the most important thing IMO for her to think about his how much she likes her job, co-workers, boss, etc. Is it all worth staying for?</p> <p>Second - do the people with less experience that got promoted happen to be male? I truly believe I was penalized for being female last year and I called it out. It's a really long story, but I was denied a promotion at the beginning of 2016 for a specific reason and then I found out a male co-worker who was about 1000x worse in this specific area was promoted to an even higher level than I had been up for. I called foul. My boss realized I was right and had me take it to HR. I was then given a mid year promotion last year.</p> <p>So other than taking it to her direct boss, she should also start applying to other jobs if she's truly willing to jump ship. Having an offer in hand is the most powerful tool in salary and promotion negotiation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679455 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:17:35 +0000 Anagram 2679455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: promoted to ED. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/work-question-unhappy-with-bonuspromotion-situation-wwyd#post-2679450 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 10:15:52 +0000 Mamaof2 2679450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: were they promoted to ED positions? or just promoted? </p>