forced to take on more.

[ddfpv1]

New York City. I work in publishing as a Production manager (I have a degree). Earlier this year, departments got shifted around and I am now in charge of an additional department requiring skills I do not yet have. I asked for more money and I was denied. This week, I am being told to manage yet another division on top of the two that merged earlier this year. At this point, everyone's getting their 3% annual joke of a raise. So when I asked for more money due to my increased responsibilities, I was again denied, but told I would get a 4% in stead of 3% raise, and a $3,000 annual bonus. Since bonuses are taxed about 48%, I will only see 1,500 of this money, divided quarterly. This new responsibility are extremely big, and not worth it for the amount they are willing to give me. I also know the stress will foul up my health (again). I would like to tell them no on the new plan. Can I do that? Or am I forced to do whatever they tell me? Can I force them to give me more money if I am forced to do as they say? Oh, and at the same time, they are taking my office away and giving me the option to share a tight office with someone else, or move into a cubical. What an incentive.

 

[Beth3]

I would like to tell them no on the new plan. Can I do that? Sure. Nobody's holding a gun to your head.

Or am I forced to do whatever they tell me? Presumably only if you want to keep your job.

Can I force them to give me more money if I am forced to do as they say? Your employer has no obligation to pay you a penny more than the prevailing minimum wage - even if you step in to the CEO role.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

New York City. I work in publishing as a Production manager (I have a degree). Earlier this year, departments got shifted around and I am now in charge of an additional department requiring skills I do not yet have. I asked for more money and I was denied. This week, I am being told to manage yet another division on top of the two that merged earlier this year. At this point, everyone's getting their 3% annual joke of a raise. So when I asked for more money due to my increased responsibilities, I was again denied, but told I would get a 4% in stead of 3% raise, and a $3,000 annual bonus. Since bonuses are taxed about 48%, I will only see 1,500 of this money, divided quarterly. This new responsibility are extremely big, and not worth it for the amount they are willing to give me. I also know the stress will foul up my health (again). I would like to tell them no on the new plan. Can I do that? Or am I forced to do whatever they tell me? Can I force them to give me more money if I am forced to do as they say? Oh, and at the same time, they are taking my office away and giving me the option to share a tight office with someone else, or move into a cubical. What an incentive.

There is another solution. You can quit, forgoe the opportunity to place on your resume a valuable asset such as diverse managment experience which may translate into much more in the future OR you can quit. I hear McDonald's is hiring.

 

[ddfpv1]

Beth3, BelizeBreeze, you guys are brutal, but thanks for your honestly. How about my current staff? they will have to take on added responsibilities that they have no skills for! Is the company required to offer them training, or does the company have the right to terminate, and replace with more skilled employees? Thanks again for your comments!

 

[Beth3]

ddf, the company can do anything it pleases on the issue at hand. Unless the training needs are insurmountable and/or current staff just aren't up to the task, then it makes sense for the company to invest in the present group of employees and get them up to speed on their new duties but no law requires them to. If they want to replace everyone, they may.

If current employees can rise to the necessary skill level, training is usually considerably cheaper than turnover however.