| It is time for your company review, and you
are focusing on one thing: an increase in salary. Not only that, but you have determined
how much of an increase you should get. But you soon learn it is not happening as you
thought. Do you just leave the meeting, feeling disappointed? Or have you been smart and
determined what you can ask for that would be of value to you?
Here are a few possibilities-of-value:
Career enhancement training:
Ask the company to pay for tuition reimbursement for
college courses to help you work toward an undergraduate or advanced degree, or to attend
a series of workshops and seminars in your field. Point out that this will not just
increase your skills, but gives the company a more knowledgeable employee. Keep in mind
that you should be prepared to perform at a higher level, as the company is entitled to
see a return on its investment.
Flexible work hours:
In today's world, companies are generally more agreeable to
allowing workers to create their own schedule. For example, if you are a night person and
prefer to start work later and work later (or the other way around, if you prefer to start
work in the wee morning hours), you might be able to convince your boss to let you try
this. The important key is that the amount of work and the quality of your work are not
diminished.
Work from home:
If your job is mostly done electronically, and there is not
much interaction between you and other employees, it may not matter where you are actually
located. You may negotiate coming to the office only one day a week or so. Again, though,
your work load and its quality must not be diminished.
A support person for you:
If your work load keeps getting greater, and you're feeling
overwhelmed, show your supervisor how hiring a part-time assistant for you would benefit
the company. Most companies are aware of the increased workload of their employees today,
and your company just might be agreeable to getting you the help you need (particularly if
they fear you might max out!) You may figure out this person does not need to be a
new-hire, but a present employee who could be assigned to you several hours a day, or a
certain day a week.
Fitness:
Ask the company to pay for your fitness center membership.
Most companies know the value of a healthy employee. Not only is a healthy employee likely
to perform their job better (and be more agreeable while doing it), but they are less
likely to be absent because of sickness. Or maybe you might convince the company to pay
for a physical therapist or yoga trainer to come to the office several times a week during
the lunch hour, so more employees can benefit by this.
Child care:
Ask for payment of child care, so you can work with peace
of mind. Or better yet, convince the company of the merits of providing on-site child care
for you and the other parents.
The important part of all this is that you are prepared
with these requests before you talk to your boss. It is important to do your homework
before you get in to the Big Meeting. Have some idea of the cost of whatever perk you ask
for (if a cost is going to be involved), particularly so you can counter any objections
thrown at you.
The truth is that most companies really do want to keep
their workers happy and satisfied in their job. The other truth is that most companies do
not spend much time in figuring out how to do that. You can be the person who can get what
you want by pointing out these ways to them. |
