Joined large educational institution in 2003, assured that review would be conducted.

I began empoyment with a large educational institution in 2003. During negotiations, I questioned the salary/level and was assured that an institution wide evaluation would soon be conducted. This evaluation would determine if there was a "gap" between what the position was advertised at and the reality of the position. I was told to "sit tight" wink wink.

It is now been nearly three years and the evaluation has not been completed due to industrial relation issues, etc.

Since I was hired, I have taken on 75% more work and responsibility. I am the only person in my department that is a permanent member of staff and a member of the industrial union mentioned above.

While the others in my department have had their contracts renewed and received salary increases (and bonuses!!) I have not been able to get a straight and final answer on the unresolved issue of fair compensation.

In fact, the manager of my department has recently made a remark to the fact that my "biggest mistake was becoming a permanent employee" or he would have rewarded my performance and responsibility accordingly. He has also remarked to several people how "grossly underpaid" I am.

Lovely sentiment, yet it certainly doesn't pay the bills.

Recently I have been asked to take on more work of a fellow colleague who has left for another dept.

Although I would welcome more work, I am overwhelmed with what I have now. With the comp issue not sorted, I am very bitter and determined not to be taken for another 3 year ride?

Any ideas on how to solve this?

I am too old to bin the job and start looking for another job....

Would appreciate any advice

GIG

Re: Advice Sought..chewing the end of my tether

"I am too old to bin the job and start looking for another job...."

I am young, so it is easy for me to be glib about this, and I apologise if it sounds that way, but you are not too old.

If you think you are too old, then it probably shows in your general demeanour, and this in turn may influence your employers into feeling that they don't need to give you the rise you deserve.

The two main motivators in any negotiation are the promise of reward and the fear of loss (incidentally, some people will only respond to one or other of these stimuli. If a person is mainly ruled by fear of loss, it is a waste of time trying to negotiate by pointing out benefits). If your employer doesn't fear losing you, and if you are not prepared to walk, then you are quite possibly in a weak negotiating position.

I am not saying you should walk, or even that you should threaten to do so - I cannot possibly give an informed opinion on this - but I hope that these observations will help you in some small way through your own thought processes on the issue.


Best of luck with it.

Re: Advice Sought..chewing the end of my tether

"You are obviously having a hard time of it GIG but I'd like to ask some questions if you don't mind so as to understand your situation better:-

Quote "I began employment with a large educational institution in 2003. During negotiations, I questioned the salary/level and was assured that an institution wide evaluation would soon be conducted. This evaluation would determine if there was a "gap" between what the position was advertised at and the reality of the position. I was told to "sit tight" wink wink."

Who told you this and I assume you have nothing in writing about it? Anything in your contract or in any other document about how salaries and conditions are reviewed?

Quote. "It is now been nearly three years and the evaluation has not been completed due to industrial relation issues, etc."

Are you the only union member in the institution? If so can I assume that the "industrial relation issues" are about you? What is "etc"?

Quote. "Since I was hired, I have taken on 75% more work and responsibility."
Were you asked to, or did you volunteer? Was anything said or better written about increasing your salary accordingly?

Quote. "In fact, the manager of my department has recently made a remark to the fact that my "biggest mistake was becoming a permanent employee" or he would have rewarded my performance and responsibility accordingly. He has also remarked to several people how "grossly underpaid" I am."

To whom did he say this and is your source reliable? Has he the authority himself to increase your salary or is there someone higher up?


Quote. "Recently I have been asked to take on more work of a fellow colleague who has left for another dept."

What was your response? In general, how have you complained about your treatment e.g. in writing or in person at a formal meeting etc?

"Although I would welcome more work...."

I don't understand how you can reconcile being overwhelmed, with welcoming more work!

Thanks All for your responses. I have been a bit vague in detail only because I have never posted an employment related issue on a board before and would not want to divulge too much info for fear of getting into trouble.

I am one of nearly 75 other members of a large industrial union..The union and the institution couldnt work out any of the details of evaluations so it went to the LRC (last year) where the LRC has told the institution in no uncertain terms to get the finger out and start the evals. The institution has still managed to drag the evaluations on and on (holidays, christmas, etc)

I have been "asked" several times to take on more work and have accepted it. nothing in writing....only the verbal promise from my manager that I will be properly rewarded in due course....

The remarks about my permancy and being "grossly underpaid" have been mentioned to several co-workers. When I have asked him about this he has not denied the remarks and further said that really it is a compliment!

I do enjoy my work, I do enjoy working for the institution if i was properly/fairly compensated.

HR seem to be the people who are holding the process hostage. I have repeatedly asked for answers and have been politely referred to my union for details.

I have not written to anyone in the institution - A good idea I suppose although in the inst it does appear to be career suicide...

GIG/

Seems to me that as you are not been compensated, but keep increasing your workload, you are your own worst enemy.

If I could get people to work for little or nothing, I would.

The LRC / Labour Courts only make recomendations, they cannot impose a solution.

If your company refuses to abide by the rec. , the ball is in your court, stop taking on more work that you are not contractually obliged to do, as your are delaying any movement from HR.

From what you are telling me GIG this matter rests between the union and the institution. In other words the union has its members' mandate to act on their behalf in trying to get the institution to conduct the review. That being the case it's difficult to see what you as an individual can do except to keep pressure on the union. Approaching the institution directly will achieve nothing as they, correctly as they see it, will refer you to the union! In the meantime you have to get on with your job as best you can and not let your feelings dominate your attitude. Have you discussed with the union what might be the separate issue of the way in which you are being asked to take on too much work?

I can only see 2 possibilities. Find another job and you seem to have your own good reasons why you don't wish to do so. Alternatively, if contract workers seem to be treated much better than you are while you are waiting for something to happen which will addreess this issue, have you considered the possibility of switching to a contract basis yourself? There may however be aspects of your permanent status which you value, such as a pension scheme?

Perhaps there may be other views from the Forum members.

Re: Joined large educational institution in 2003, assured that review would be conduc

Hi riddles,

Whats the best that can happen? Say the union agree and your salary is reviewed, in monetary terms how much are we talking about? It could be that you are getting into a twist about relatively small amouts of money. In the meantime I would be politely declining any more 'job enlargement' offers.

aj

How much more can the Union do ??? , Under Irish Law, if the Company ignore the Courts Rec. , the employees have the right to take industrial action.


I do not recomend you going contract, as this is what they are looking for you to do.


You need to stop being over co-operative, and meet the needs detailed in original job / contract, until the issue is resolved.

thanks everyone for your honest opinions and views.

As I am a "foriegn national" I have been hesitant to seen as being a "bold girl"....

I will write to my union representative and list my concerns/complaints (again). I am very wary about the "work to rule" path, but I think I must make my position clear. I aint a charity.

Fingers crossed.

GIG

I am a Union Rep, and would not give you information I believe would constitute "Work to Rule" , this would be withdrawing services like OT , weekend working , emergency callout etc..

I am only saying this is a usual trick, your direct boss tellin, ya you are great , and he would love to help but .... , and HR playin bad cop.

Do not take on extra responsibility, unless you can fit this into your normal working week.

Do not feel guilty about this, they made a commitment, and they have not met their side of the deal.

Explain this situation to your rep, ( I would phone if I was you) and if you are not confident enough to approach HR, ask him / her to do it.