How long is normal to go without a raise?
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People take jobs for many reasons. They want to use their skills. They like working in a given place. They love the idea of getting out of the house each day. For most people, however, the most important reason why they take a job is the pay. Workers have to work so they can pay their bills. Applying for a job can be a daunting process. The very act of putting in an application can feel scary. Before starting a job, a person may have spent at least some time negotiating for the salary they want. In the process, they usually arrive at a number they can use that will allow them to meet their needs and ideally save up additional funds at the same time.
On The Job
Once a person takes as job, there are many things they will tend to think about when they are at work. For many people, one such expectation is the prospect of getting raises. A raise may happen under many different circumstances. When people work for the government, it is not uncommon for everyone in the office to receive raises over a period of time at the same time. In other workplaces, a raise may be given based on certain factors. For example, once you’ve worked at an organisation for six months, you might be in line for a small hourly pay raise. This might be part of the work contract you signed before starting the job. If you are in doubt, have a look at the employee handbook. In many instances, such raises are spelled out to every employee. If you have been at the workplace for given time and you haven’t received your guaranteed raise, it’s probably best to contract the human resources department. Company officials may have made a simple mistake. In a large organisation you might have simply gotten lost in the shuffle.
A Promotion
Workers often find it possible to get a promotion via varied channels. Postings may be listed and available to all at the company. You can also use your time at the company to ask about such possibilities from your co-workers. Applying for a new position is the easiest way to get a raise. It is not uncommon for people to consider applying for a promotion after a few months on the job. Once you have demonstrated your worth and skill on the job, it is not unreasonable to seek out further opportunities to show what you can do and get rewarded for it financially. It also may be a good idea to contact your immediate supervisor. They can help clarify what you need to do to be considered for a promotion.
Two Years
In general, many people report raises are given at one and two year intervals. If you are not given a raise during this time period, it might be the time to think about the reasons for the lack of a raise. If you are part of a larger group doing similar tasks, it may be that no one is being given a raise because the company does not have the funds. In this highly competitive world, is it not unusual for companies to attempt to keep labour costs to a minimum. At the same time, this can be really hard on employees. Costs may have risen while raises are stagnant.
Considering Your Options
All workers need to have enough money to fund their lifestyle. If a worker isn’t getting the money they need, it can lead to all sorts of problems such as taking on additional debt or even the need to look for a cheaper place to live. In that case, if there are not raises in two years or longer, it might be a good idea to consider looking for another job. The worker may be able to find another job that offers the funds they need to life as they want. Finding another job can be the ideal way for a worker to break free of a job that isn’t working for them anymore. A new job can mean not only more money but a more satisfying work life.
