Monday, May 3, 2010

Resentment

Overworked and underpaid is how a lot of people feel and I happen to be one of those people. I feel bad for feeling this way, especially since getting this job was such a blessing. The thing is that ever since I found out that the woman in the position before me was hired on making 10K more than me, I have been resenting my heavy workload. I also discovered that the workload was redistributed when I started and I was given all the problem areas. The worst part is people that I interact with say, “well Previous Lady would do this for me and that”. I quietly think to myself that yeah, I bet she did, as much as she made she should have been doing all of that.

I also feel like they tack on more and more work every month. Maybe I’m just complaining but I don’t feel that way. During budget loading in March I was working from 7:30am-9pm. The worse part about the long hours is the fact that I’m salaried so no overtime. So you mean to tell me that I make way less than the previous person but I also have to work fourteen hour days?

These feelings have led me to start testing the waters in search of a different job. I’m not on the hunt like when I originally relocated but looking at my finances, which aren’t too great at the moment versus the stress that I face daily, I just want to see what is out there. I’ve considered getting a second job as a means of supplemental income but I don’t even have the time to work a night gig due to the hours I put in at work. I guess we shall see.

7 comments:

Jade said...

I hear this a lot! I've actually been lucky in that I've always felt like I've been paid MORE for the things that I actually do. So while i don't know exactly how you feel, I can imagine it sucks.

I encourage you to wait until your next review, see how you've done and then politely ask for a raise. Make sure you note all the things you've excelled in, all the things they've praised you on, so that you can point them out!

And, I think it's a common misconception that just because you are salaried that they can work you to death. Um. No ma'am.

Here I googled this real quick:
http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/21/smbusiness/overtime.fsb/index.htm

Check out that portion of the FLSA that they mentioned.

Here's more:
http://www.google.com/search?q=salaried+workers+automatic+overtime&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

Finally, if you are indeed being paid 10K less, then you really might be under paid for the job you are doing (because quite frankly, that's a lot). Make sure you bring this up at your next P.R. Good luck!

Trish said...

The only thing is that I won't have an evaluation until next year and I don't know if I can wait that long. We can transfer internally after six months so technically I could start looking.


I'm going to try to not think about this whole situation for as ling as I can.

Thanks so much for the links and the encouragement!

Nina said...

Damn honey...you don't deserve that at all! I'm sorry. Is there a way you could get them to revise your salary? or try to get them to get you an assistant (an intern or anything??)

Miss.Stefanie said...

Trish, maybe you can ask for a raise?

Trish said...

Nina-An assitant would be spectacular but that won't happen. We are pressed for space in our office and we have 5% budget reduction.

Stef-I guess I could ask. The people in my dept who've been here over 20yrs are only getting a 3% increase. I feel like looking for a new job is the only option for this situation.

Gorgeous_Puddin said...

I can totally relate to this. I replaced this woman in a department and all I would hear was oh June did this and June did that oh I miss June. It was so annoying and on top of that I had to fight for my salary and they kept saying stuff about equity it was horrible. Anyway I revised my resume and moved on but I left with wounds. People really are crazy in the workplace. Being over worked and under paid makes you feel devalued and pimped!

Trish said...

GP-Being pimped is so befitting to this situation. I'm glad you were able to move on. As of today I have to cover a lady on FMLA for two months and on top of that I got yet another new "project" today.