Free Career and Job Search Advice

[pieman]

Been working at an international publisher for almost a year.

Started on 2 month temporary contract, had it extended for another 3, then extended again for another 3.

My job has evolved so that I am actually doing far more than originally envisaged (which is great) but my contract terms/conditions have not changed since I first joined. I have a lot more responsibility and have had to hire 2 people to assist me with my work. I like working here but feel I am being taken for granted a little as I know other people doing similar woark as me get 2X my salary.

I want to get my role/responsiblilties defined.

longer term contract

more pay


How is the best way to go about this without being like a bull in a china shop?

[Pauloz]

pieman

I should perhaps mention before we start that as a writer, international publishers aren't my favorite people.

This reads more like exploitation than a job, if people are being paid that much more for the same work. You've effectively become a supervisor, doing higher value work for the same pay.

The china shop approach, however, is quite right. No point in losing a paying job for something you don't have.

The contract issues:

Under a contract, you're signed on to those terms, you've agreed to them.

If you can negotiate the contract, you can redefine the terms.

If you can't negotiate, you're being given a take it or leave it choice, which after 5 years seems pretty mean. Only if you haven't yet signed the new contract, you can say you want to discuss it, and feel your way through.

We can't give legal advice, but in your own interest, you can do a few things which might give you some room to move.

On the contract:

Check termination clauses. See what you can and can't do.

Check pay clauses. Any room for improvement? Have you signed for a figure? If you're not signed up for a specific figure, you may be able to negotiate. This will equate to what they're prepared to do or not do.

Check it out with an employment lawyer, without committing to taking any action, just getting information, until you're sure you know what you want to do. (No point in adding costs, either.)

If you can't do anything with the contract:

See what your options are if you quit and take another job. See if you can get a better version of the same job.

This looks to me like the standard cheapskate employer approach, and frankly if you're locked into a contract, the only option is usually to get out of the contract.

A different approach to reworking the contract:

Meanwhile, you can approach the employer with a proposition, whatever the case with the contract.

You can say you want to move up the ladder, try for promotions, make a career out of it. Just say you're not sure if you can do that with your contract as it stands.

(In fairness, they may not know how to amend a contract. They may never have done it before, which is something you can check out with the other contract employees. That's the other problem in terms of contract work, change is a rarity, because the thinking usually runs on rails and not much normally changes except the names of the employees.)

To do that properly, so you can get higher paying work, they'll have to give you a new contract, if your duties are sufficiently different, which they would be in

One of the problems here is you started as a temp, and have kept that status, which puts you at a natural disadvantage. As a permanent staff member you have more options and more coverage by law.

[PaulLubic]

pieman,
Pauloz gave you some excellent advice. I would add that you should talk to your supervisor to let them know that you want to move from a temp contract position to a permanent position, for benefits, more pay, etc., and that you would prefer to do that at this company if that were possible. If you need some sales points: 1. you are a known quantity to them so there's less risk in hiring you than someone off the street, should you leave; and 2. you are performing at a high level or they wouldn't have given you supervision responsibilities.

[pieman]

Thanks for the advice.

I've just been offered a 6 month 'extension' to my current deal with no change on the terms of the contract...

I have asked for a new contract defining my rold etc.. and an increase in my current pay to match what I should be making based on my responsibilities.

I'll have to wait and see what they come back with!

Thanks again

[pieman]

Still had no reply from the HR and my manager does not know either. He says my position is confirmed but the budgets are still being approved.

Apparently the budgets are being reviewed (by very senior people upstairs)and I may not be able to confirm this until next week,

However I go on leave this Friday (has been planned for 3 months) so am unhappy at not knowing for certain if my job will be here when I come back in January!

What can I do to speed this process up (if at all)??

Failing this, when I go on leave if they will offer me a new contract - does this put me in a better bargaining position regarding the pay and conditions I want.

I feel like asking for more as they have left it so late - I know that it would be very hard for them to bring someone else into my role at such late notice (no handover) and I have specific business knowledge that outsiders wouldn't have.


I have been looking at other positions and I have offers from other places for my services - I would like to stay with my current employer (despite the above, it is a very good place to work!) but the way they are treating this makes me annoyed!

Any advice would be greatfully received!

[dlturner85]

with to days economy budgets are pretty tight. A major factor of when you bring this up to your employer is what end of your companies fiscal calendar you're at. If your at the beginning then it is a great time because they have a new budget to work with, but if you're at the end management is usually trying to crunch the numbers and don't like to increase spending on payroll.

Personally my advice would be to apply for different jobs and make it all the way through to where they make an offer. This can then be used as leverage. Far to often do I see people who are getting under paid and over worked. When they do ask for a raise they are at the mercy of the employer. What can you do if they say no?

I also hear people say "this place would fall apart if I wasn't here", but they can't prove it because thay are to scared to find a better career.

My advice is to empower yourself by finding a company that will offer you a higher paying job with a concrete contract. Take the offer to your current employer and ask them what the can do to match it or beat it. you are basically selling yourself and proving that you are worth more than what they are paying you. good luck!!!
http://mrturnerservices.com

[PaulLubic]

Pieman,
Be patient. These things take time at the top levels. In fact, I'd take solice in the fact that they're taking some time to get back to you. It could mean they're trying to justify a new permanent position for you. If they were going to keep you where you are, they would just let you work on another extended contract basis as you are now. Being too aggressive and demanding right now would be the wrong thing to do. You don't want to do anything that will appear: that you're going to be a problem to them now or in the future; or that you're ungrateful for the effort they're putting forth to help you. My advice is to be patient. I'm going to say that again...be patient. Enjoy the holidays and see what happens.
Best,
Paul

[pieman]

Thanks for the advice.


This morning I got a response back about my contract.
I have been offered an extension to my current deal for 6 months. No more pay and the conditions are the same.

I think I'm going to leave the company, I shall tell them this and see if they revise their offer. Sadly, I feel as if I am being taken advantage of here


Thanks

Pieman

[dlturner85]

pieman, I understand where you're comming from. The way you feel is totally fine. The best thing that you can do for yourself is not be patient, because ambition is the key to success. Being ambitious is not being demanding. Your well being is very important so you need to take control of your life and not leave it in the hands of some big shot that you've never met.
My advice is to do some research and apply to other jobs. The only thing this will cost you is some time, but the reward could be very fulfilling. Don't tell anyone you are quitting until you have something lined up, because this could put you in a worse position than you are already in. Exiting properly is the right thing to do.
Best case scenario, your current employer offers you a permanent job with higher pay.
Don't lose sight of your goals, and take your wellbeing into your own hands.

http://mrturnerservices.com