pay review time
October 17th 2006 11:19
Gawd... It's pay review... My first time ever.... This is my first 'real' job and I have been there for 6 months already. I can't believe it. I really doesn't seem so long ago that I was creeping into my husband's armpit and saying "I'm going to fail! They are going to realise I don't know ANYTHINGGGGGGG!" Now look at me - six months and a lot of impressive work (according to me anyway) under my belt. The learning curve has been amazing and I honestly think I couldn't have done much better.
But when my boss starts talking about pay rises and part time I get nervous. How do I do all this negotiations? I'm sorry but UN meetings were not regualar reading for me as I grew up and this whole concept of economic bartering is a bit beyond me. Honestly, I always pay too much in Hong Kong - I know I could get better, but I just don't want to bother arguing over 10 cents when they are staring you down like you are just a waste of precious resources and space. Afterall, in the space that one Westerner stands, you could fit at least two spritely Hong Kong locals!
So I do my research, arm myself with 'industry standards' 'work place agreements' 'pro rata leave' and other stuff I would never have bothered typing into google. I plan a great line of attack, and by god I am ready to give myself a raise! But it all comes unravelled when my boss says "hmmm... Well, give me a few days to get my head around all this and see what I can re-organise". Doesn't sound promising. A part of me feels like screaming "Ok ok ok forget all the other stuff I am asking for. I just want to work three days a week and get ANY paid maternity leave! Two days, two hours, two minutes... puhleese!" but I smile and say "Sure thing".
But the waiting game is hell. The outfits I go through in an attempt to hide my swollen belly. The extra skinny size 6 jeans I squeeze myself into to throw off any maternity odour I may be wafting behind me. And no I am not referring to after dinner preganncy gas and reflux. Ouch.
What if he says no? I can't turn around and say "well in that case I am fucked. We can't afford to survive if you don't agree to my main requests and I will basically have to leave the company once the new baby is born and go back to working shift work at the petrol station." My life....hanging... on.... Gawd what will he say? When will he say it? What will I say in response? And how much longer can this 8 coffees a day, 3 wines a night, ever shrinking girl disguise the sudden lack of interest in anything caffeinated, alcoholic or fun?
But when my boss starts talking about pay rises and part time I get nervous. How do I do all this negotiations? I'm sorry but UN meetings were not regualar reading for me as I grew up and this whole concept of economic bartering is a bit beyond me. Honestly, I always pay too much in Hong Kong - I know I could get better, but I just don't want to bother arguing over 10 cents when they are staring you down like you are just a waste of precious resources and space. Afterall, in the space that one Westerner stands, you could fit at least two spritely Hong Kong locals!
So I do my research, arm myself with 'industry standards' 'work place agreements' 'pro rata leave' and other stuff I would never have bothered typing into google. I plan a great line of attack, and by god I am ready to give myself a raise! But it all comes unravelled when my boss says "hmmm... Well, give me a few days to get my head around all this and see what I can re-organise". Doesn't sound promising. A part of me feels like screaming "Ok ok ok forget all the other stuff I am asking for. I just want to work three days a week and get ANY paid maternity leave! Two days, two hours, two minutes... puhleese!" but I smile and say "Sure thing".
But the waiting game is hell. The outfits I go through in an attempt to hide my swollen belly. The extra skinny size 6 jeans I squeeze myself into to throw off any maternity odour I may be wafting behind me. And no I am not referring to after dinner preganncy gas and reflux. Ouch.
What if he says no? I can't turn around and say "well in that case I am fucked. We can't afford to survive if you don't agree to my main requests and I will basically have to leave the company once the new baby is born and go back to working shift work at the petrol station." My life....hanging... on.... Gawd what will he say? When will he say it? What will I say in response? And how much longer can this 8 coffees a day, 3 wines a night, ever shrinking girl disguise the sudden lack of interest in anything caffeinated, alcoholic or fun?
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