What Is The Best Way To Ask For A Raise?

72chevy4x4

something doesn't add up-are you 'co-workers' with this guy or is he just around on the same job doing his own thing? If he is a sub, then you're not comparing apples to apples. Sometimes its difficult to get subs working by the hour as an employee-they think they're work so much more per hour and don't want to get out of the house for less than $xx / hour.

be respectfuly, lay our your contributions to the company. The way it works for me, if a guy is doing a great job making ME money, then he is worth more money. Are you making the boss money?

forsmant

They may be something fishy going on but I could care less. Thats the boss's perogative and like I said, no one else is hiring. He is a coworker with subcontractor status. How they deal with taxes is on them. He works dirrectly with me doing the same tasks for the same boss and same supervisors, during the same hours of the day.

J F

Ask your boss to go on "sub-contractor" status with a $5.50 bump...but first read some on the irs site regarding "captive" subs...

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/...115041,00.html

Lastly, you don't want to push any of the wrong buttons right about now, very bad timing, so be careful.

forsmant

I dont really want that. I want to be legal in case something fishy is going on there. I prefer to follow the law.

Mike Finley

You sound like you have your head on right, and sound like a great worker who a lot of companies would be happy to have. Hope it works out. But bide your time if it doesn't. When the economy picks back up there will be a high demand for guys like you.

forsmant

Hey thanks. I hope I didn't misrepresent myself or get my company in trouble.

There are two companies that I see working in the same neighborhoods doing projects that I would like to work on. I feel these companies are better and they work on houses that I would like to work on. The 1930's style tudor and bungalow styles found in older well kept neighborhoods around the country. But it seems they are never hiring. One of these day I might get a wild hair and walk on one of their sites and ask for a job. After all, thats how I got my first framing gig.

punchlist

We bosses will fight tooth and nail to not give a raise. But, if you are a good guy, show up on time and make money, we are glad to pay. Since it appears as though your boss is doing some under the table stuff ask if you can do piece work, if you are half the worker you say you are this may work out better for you. Good luck and ask for 5 bucks and settle for 3.50 just don't tell my guys

jtpro

Here's my 2 cents.(and if you like it you HAVE to hook me up with some Spaghetti Works and dead corn feed cattle!!! God I miss home! I DON’T miss the snow!)

LOOK LOOK LOOK for work. Ask for the raise RESPECTFULLY. Tell him point blank things are tight. Tell him you accepted the pay cut as a team player and respect his decision in doing that to keep the company afloat as opposed to layoffs or shutting the doors.(LEAVE OUT the point that because of his piss poor decisions YOU have to suffer)

I was in your boat and it didn’t play out to my favor.

I’ll try to give the condensed version and trust me the missing details only STRENGTHEN my case.

I followed a company to So Fla for a “3 month job”. 1 year later I was hired on by the developer as a punch out Super. I ran 3 plus crews did all that was asked etc. 2 coworkers had same title LESS experience . Was promised “side work” from one.

6 months went by Not ONLY was I shouldering their responsibility, NO side work NO raise.( I was raised in the mid west and at one time LOYAL employees were rewarded WITHOUT “begging”) I approached the boss( 1 of 3 owners who managed the construction side) What does one have to do to get a raise?

“I evaluate your performance etc. You are an AWESOME worker who ALL speak highly of blah blah blah. “ 2 months roll by NO RAISE ( I believe in NOT being a nuisance APPARENTLT I was WRONG!)

He approaches me. I’m looking to fire_______ can you take over the west tower?
________ is making $15,000 more than me AND company provided town house.I am renting out of pocket 1 room hotel room. (I was hired while out of town so I can’t expect an employer to provide)

I ask if there is a raise involved for this even BIGGER adage of burden. His response “if you decide you can do without__________(assistant type guy that helps with duties) then there will be money in the budget.

IMMEDIATELY I say yes. (keep in mind I know EXACTLY what these guys are AND aren’t doing and why their performance is next to nil)

Super #1 is on a two week and terminated program(He doesn’t know thinks he has even MORE time to pursue personal interests) quits before the 2 weeks assist is NOT fired but transferred out.

Super #2 $96,000(on the books) $65,000-$85,000 (Company provided OFF the books “side work”) company pays for 2008 dodge pickup truck payments (in his name) Gas allowance. $200-$300 a month food allowance. He lives 2 hours north so Mon-Fri $1,800 a month COMPANY paid condo. After super # 1 fired and vacated company owned townhouse Super #2 was moved to and given a $5,000 moving/house warming gift to furnish townhouse (buys 62” flat screen for his house brings 51” to town house.

Company has NOW saved $15,000 on salary #1 $35,000 on salary #2 and $1,800 a month rent.

NO RAISE!!!!

There is A **** LOAD MORE but I’ve gone on enough for now.

The Point:

I got laid off due to “the economy” (in reality BAD practices and BAD money decisions)

They Co. kept super #2 ( he is also a raging drunk off And on the clock disrespects HO’s bosses etc)

Super #3 (who plays a small part in the equation and entered the scene a while back) has to blow into a machine and wait 15 min. BEFORE his truck starts. Company paid $6,000 in fines to get a work permit license. GOOD GUY!!! But still.

BOSSES MAKE NO SENSE!

SOMETHING fishy is going on behind the scenes of my ex company and the same applies to yours! And if you don’t believe it’s fishy than there MUST be some “special circumstances” you’re NOT Privy to.

IF your boss isn’t rewarding you for your performance he either, isn’t witness to, he doesn’t care OR the other guy is LYING and taking credit for some or ALL of your accomplishments!

DON'T let them screw you over to eventually let you go!

jtpro

Would somebody PLEASE shut this guy u....DOH .....it's me!

But seriouly I wasn't trying to make this thread about me just tying to show although others mean well with there advice it sometimes takes someone who experienced it to show you that YOU ARE NOT alone and DON'T let it happen to you.

Use my 20/20 hindsight to YOUR advantage!

forsmant

Quite an interesting story, if I was able to follow it correctly. I didn't even mention the perks the supervisors get at my company. Mostly because I don't know. I have started to search more intently for work. There is lots of work here just not as much as there was three years ago.

jtpro

Yeah my bad. I was skippimg over ALOT so the story was spotty. Point was I held out the hope that my bosses would pull their heads out and see what was going on.

The last 4 months of my employ with them I was transfered to 1 of the owner's houses as project super. He started getting the FULL picture about the dirtbags but left it up to the "one" controlling construction.

I waited and held on when I should have folded. 2 1/2 years to be out of the construction lope in one city Fked me!

My parents keep saying "move back home"!

Here in Jax it might be climbing back up by some but employers can still pick and choose and require HVAC certifaction for a $10 an hour maint job.

A year or so ago I think A/C aprentices where making $18!

mikeswoods

collect pictures of your work. Think of it as a photo resume.

Skilled remodelers are hard to find,Look at other posts.

It will speak a thousand words to a potential new boss.

jtpro

WORDS TO LIVE BY

(and THAT'S ANOTHER 20/20 you can use NOW. Digtal camera or disposable! cell pnone ONLY in a pinch!))

chris klee

This is a good thread. i am also looking for other work as i am grossly underpaid for what i do around here.
you can only wait for the company owner to do the right thing for so long before you realize they are in it for their own gain, not yours. if you can show them how you making more helps them make more then you might have a shot. of course, some people are just too greedy to take care of their loyal beyond reason employees.
win some, loose some.

chris klee

great idea btw, i am going to start putting together detail sheets of the projects i have done and put pics in a nice binder.

mikeswoods

As the boss one of,perhaps the,worst parts of my job is picking a new employee.

Even an idiot can put on a good front at an interview.

This is a "show me" business that we work in.

If you use photos don't go overboard. A few well taken LARGE prints will do the best. If your photo skills stink, sneak someone more skillful in to take them for you.

Close up detail so the boss will say to himself ,"this looks neat and professional. "


You sound like a fine and loyal employee

MIKE

P.S. Dropping in on jobs sites at lunch / starting /quitting times is a good way to meet the boss and start the ball rolling.

SelfContract

"Just gimme a RAISE.. or I m gonna shoot ya!!! ... (execution style)" (Death Threat IV)

jtpro

GOOD POV! but NONETHELESS still take LOTS of pics and a VARIETY.

Better to have a BUNCH and select a few then NOT have. If you're going for a Crown/Trim job and you only have tile or framing...well ya'll get it.

chris klee

exactly. take 100 pics and use 5.
one of my freinds is a photographer for an offroad magazine. he takes about 1500 pics in one weekend so he can get 5-10 usable pics. with digital cameras, you can fill the memory and not worry.

finaltouchfloor

make a photo gallery website.

Check mine.

http://www.finaltouchflooring.net

simple & start a reference list.