Yesterday I had my boss called me into his office and gave me my 2 year review. My boss is the vice president of the company and he and his father own the company. Our industry went soft last year and while we made a lot of cost cutting changes we still took a hit as a company. I certainly wasn’t expecting any raise so it was no surprise when I didn’t get one. What I did get was, in my mind, even better, and that was this comment from my boss.
“The workers here like you, the clients love you and I can’t imagine how this place would run without you.”
I believe that I’ve always been a bit empathetic with my employers when it comes to cutting costs in order to make ends meet. After all if the company tanks I’m out of a job. That hasn’t been the case with all of my past employers, but those that treated me fairly and with respect, have always gotten the same in return.
So what’s your personal feelings in regards to raises and praises? I know that your response will greatly depend on your financial status, but in the scheme of things, how much weight does an honest accolade from your boss carry?
This is a tricky one. If it were truly honest and not only done once a year it would be of great value… the question is how do you know if it’s honest or just a way of assuaging their guilt over not giving you a raise?
Recently the boss at my company bought girl scout cookies for everyone on staff. He bought them from his daughter meaning she got extra big points in the girl scout book of merit (or what ever it is they get). So did he do it for us or for her?
Ok… I’ll come clean “SHOW ME THE MONEY!!”
I feel like such a pagan… filthy lucur (sp?) ..mumble mumble… mea culpa… mea culpa…
By the way I’m digging the spell checker embedded in comments… did you add that or is that something my Mozilla browser is doing?
-its Mozilla.
I don’t mind not a getting a raise, but I’m not dependent on my own income for my livelihood. In the past when I was, I received raises and it didn’t do any good – I would have rathered heard “good job”.
In my current job, I think it’d be the same way. And I give them more opportunities too – going above and beyond and what-not. But no “thanks”, even if they gave me a raise, I’m still going to dump them in the summer. Its hard to work for ungrateful people no matter how much (or little) money they give you.
Unfettered – having worked for Ben for 2 years now I’ve come to understand how straight a shooter he is, and how tight he is with his words. Whether in reproof or praise he says what needs to be said and not much more. If he gives praise it’s heartfelt.
Lauren – thanks for your comment. I can totally understand your position. While I certainly need money to pay for my lavish life style, the praise for a job well done can far outweigh your standard raise.
Now, if I were to receive a pay raise from an ogre, and tyrant of a boss, but the amount was far beyond my wildest dreams…
Well maybe, just maybe I’d have to rethink this.