NWR: Work Advice Needed

DeeK9 · May 2011

This is an AE... just because but... I need advice:

I work at a law firm. Two partners just left to start their own firm.

The department I am in only consists of myself and my coworker. We have a great relationship and really work well together. He is above me as far as titles.

He was asked to go to the new firm and was offered a considerable salary increase. He went to our current firm and told them he'd like to stay but couldn't give up the salary increase.

Not sure what the current firm offered him, but he is staying.

My question is- I don't feel like he should get more money simply because he was offered a position at the new firm- we do pretty similar tasks. But I can't ask for a raise without putting my coworker in a sticky situation b/c I should prob not know about the raise.

I'm also thinking that because he turned down the new firm, they might as me. So, do I wait and see if I am approached for the new firm and use that bargaining power for a raise or do I just go in with the knowledge that he got a raise and they'll know he told me?

Any advice is great!! Thanks girls!
PS Might post and run but will check back later!

Birdie1483 · May 2011

This is acutally pretty common. At least the part of people telling their bosses they were offered another job and the current company doing a counter offer. However, I don't really think you'll be able to benefit from your coworkers situation at all. As you said, your titles are different, so his pay is completely independent from yours.

I know it sucks, because I know I get paid less than people doing my same job. However, I think you would need to approach the bosses with an offer of your own and not just "well he got a raise, so I should as well." You have to prove why they should give YOU a raise.

I would also wait to see what happens with the other job. I wouldn't count on it, but it wouldn't hurt to wait to see what plays out.

crash2729 · May 2011

I'm not in law...but I can't think that seeking out a competitor to use as "bargaining bait" with your current job is going to work out well.

I think if you really want a raise you should just ask for one...but I might be prepared for them to say no..

hlq2011 · May 2011

I think Birdie's right.

I, too, feel your pain. I worked in public accounting, and the entry-level salaries jumped every year, by greater percentages than the raises for those already there. So I was making less than people a couple years behind me, solely because of circumstances.

Good luck

laurenclaire1386 · May 2011

Whether or not you feel like he should get a raise is kind of irrelevant to the whole situation. It looks like he's in higher demand than you are. After all, the new firm offered him a job and the old firm wants to keep him. So of course they met his salary criteria.

I don't see that there's much you can do. I would wait and see if the new firm approached me and then decide depending on which partners I liked best and who would pay me what.

hlq2011 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-work-advice-needed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db42205-55f1-420a-b2c8-a22c72e7212cPost:95c08ee6-e0d6-442d-b194-c6d30da7a1e8">Re: NWR: Work Advice Needed</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not in law...but I can't think that seeking out a competitor to use as "bargaining bait" with your current job is going to work out well. I think if you really want a raise you should just ask for one...but I might be prepared for them to say no..
Posted by crash2729[/QUOTE]

I don't think she's talking about seeking out a competitor; rather, if she gets an offer, I think it's honestly fair to go to your current employer and say, hey, unless you match this, I'm going to leave. I'd do the same thing. But I wouldn't necessarily go looking for a new job just to get leverage.

Though some do. And law is cutthroat at best.

LDYGTR13 · May 2011

...I'm sucky with work stuff, but I'd say you don't have any bargaining power until/if they offer you a position.

georgia_bride09 · May 2011

Why did this need an AE?

Meg1036 · May 2011

Birdie says it really well.

FWIW, I don't think there is anything wrong for asking for a raise as long as you can justify it to your boss based on your own individual work and productivity. Your salary is (unfortunately) independent of your co-worker's.

LDYGTR13 · May 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_nwr-work-advice-needed?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:4db42205-55f1-420a-b2c8-a22c72e7212cPost:61a75535-2ff3-49ee-a72f-344cf1914e8b">Re: NWR: Work Advice Needed</a>:
[QUOTE]Why did this need an AE?
Posted by georgia_bride09[/QUOTE]

I think it probably has something to do with not liking to post about work on the interwebz since it's all public and all.

Of course, I'm the one about to be made into a skinsuit at Disney World...sooooo.

laurenclaire1386 · May 2011

And ditto Georgia. There's nothing in here that warrants an AE that I can see.

Birdie1483 · May 2011

Yep I was actually given a raise to "even things out" but then they did pay cuts a few months later and there went that. My company has also stopped doing many counter offers these days because of the economy, so I wouldn't have the balls to try to go that route right now.

OP, if you want a raise I would start to make a list of all of the things you feel like you do well for the company. Start to make an argument about why you're worth more than what they're currently paying you. Bring up instances of good cases or something. I would bring that to your boss and see what happens.

Birdie1483 · May 2011

I actually understand the need for an AE. Considering that I have my real location listed, have built up a reputation where many people know my real name, use a screen name that I use for other stuff and even have my face in my siggy, I don't feel comfortable delving too far into work related stuff. You never know who from your company might be lurking and connect the dots.

emilyinchile · May 2011

I totally agree with Birdie. I have job stuff that I'd love to vent or get your guys' opinion on sometimes, but I just don't feel comfortable putting that kind of thing online when it would be obvious to anyone IRL that it's me.

And as far as your question, OP, I agree with everyone else. This guy's situation has nothing to do with yours, sorry.

adamar15 · May 2011

I feel like this is why people shouldn't discuss salaries with each other. The same kind of situation happened with my H and his brother at work. H ended up getting a raise just because his brother got offered more and they countered and kept him. I'm definitely not complaining about the raise, because it's awesome, but it doesn't really make sense to me from a business perspective.

OP, I would just hang tight and see if the other firm makes you an offer. Until then, I don't really feel you can ask for a raise just because he got one.

mob2689 · May 2011

I also agree with Birdie adamar.

It all sucks in so many ways. It's a shame that they can't see the value of an employee until something like this has to happen

But that's the way buisness is run for the majority of the time.

jessicabessica · May 2011

I think PPs have given you good advice already, particularly Birdie. Here's my two cents--

You can't use his negotiations to get your own raise. First of all, he was offered another job, not you. Your current firm made the decision that they wanted to fight to keep him. They don't have to fight to keep you, at least not right now. Second, you said that he is above you in title--if your firm uses lockstep compensation, then him being above you in title (I'm assuming he's a class above you?) means that your base salary is not going to equal his. Even if your firm isn't lockstep, him being senior to you may still be meaningful, which can be frustrating, of course.

If you think you deserve a raise--and I don't think it's bad to ask--I would not ask for it in a way that could be construed to be linked to your coworker's raise. Think about how you contribute to the firm. Save emails from clients praising your work. Have you gotten any professional awards or recognition? Are you involved in the local bar association? Make a list, and bring it up at your next review (or ask to discuss compensation and performance with your boss if you need to).

I wouldn't look for another job for the primary purpose of making your firm fight for you. As I'm sure you know, it can be dangerous to put out feelers about changing jobs, especially in a small legal community or practice area, and I would only take that risk (and do it discreetly) if you were seriously looking to leave your current job. If I were you, and I were happy in my current position, my coworker getting a raise in the manner he did wouldn't stir the pot.

DeeK9 · May 2011

Thanks for all the input!

I didn't mean that I was going to look for another job as a means of negotiation.
I was saying that IF the other firm approached me to go because my coworker didn't take their offer.... The wait and see what happens approach.

In any case, I now agree that the bottomline is, this is a situation that has to do with him, not me. If I want a raise, I need to prove why.

Sorry if an AE turned people off, just didn't want this to be personally linked to the real me. No biggie. :-)

Birdie1483 · May 2011

Now I"m curious who you are.

Any hints?

NWR: Work Advice Needed

Re: NWR: Work Advice Needed

Choose Another Board

Search Boards