So my boss told me today I was getting a .1% raise

[The Drunken Actuary]

Originally Posted by Runner

It doesn't work that way in consulting. A consultant actually brings in real profit to a company. It can be measured objectively. If he works hard and gains experience he can bring in more and more. In a disastrous year, he might only get a nominal raise.

Um, no.

[A Markov Chain]

Originally Posted by Abused Student

Luckily I am not in this boat but I know people that have been told company wide there will be no raises or bonuses early in 2009 for 09 and 10 and 11 is already looking doubtful.

If the company is good and you are doing alright, I don't see what the big deal would be. Especially when there are many people losing their jobs even at these companies with rate freezes.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining. I've actually come to appreciate my company a lot more in the past year or so.

I understand managing expectations, but I just don't see the reasoning behind telling people so far in advance that they will definitely not see a salary increase, disregardful of personal or company performance.

[A Markov Chain]

Originally Posted by Arden Bensenhaver

The market will fix it

I don't know how efficient the Obamarket is.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Originally Posted by A Markov Chain

I just don't see the reasoning behind telling people so far in advance that they will definitely not see a salary increase, disregardful of personal or company performance.

So that they can budget appropriately?
So they don't bother working hard in the hopes of getting a raise?
So they can start seeking other employment right away?

[Abused Student]

Originally Posted by A Markov Chain

Don't get me wrong - I'm not complaining. I've actually come to appreciate my company a lot more in the past year or so.

I understand managing expectations, but I just don't see the reasoning behind telling people so far in advance that they will definitely not see a salary increase, disregardful of personal or company performance.

So if your company had the worst year's financials in the company's history and they know it is going to take 2-3 years of no raises to anybody along with some layoffs just to stay in business, you would rather they just sit on that information until you go in to your meeting with your boss to find out how you did for the year? If you are looking at buying a house and want to stretch yourself now so that when you get raises you have a bigger house, wouldn't you want to know that those raises aren't coming for the next couple years? I would rather know as soon as something is decided. Maybe that is just me.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Originally Posted by Abused Student

So if your company had the worst year's financials in the companies history and they know it is going to take 2-3 years of no raises to anybody along with some layoffs, you would rather they just sit on that information until you go in to your meeting with your boss to find out how you did for the year? If you are looking at buying a house and want to stretch yourself now so that when you get raises you have a bigger house, wouldn't you want to know that those raises aren't coming for the next couple years? I would rather know as soon as something is decided. Maybe that is just me.

What if they have a meeting discussing what a great sales year it was and the next day told you 'no raises, the economy....'? Yeah, that happened.

[Stanley Milgram]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

I'm getting a bogus this year. As in, "man, no raise or bonus this year? that's bogus."

[Runner]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jass

And yet, a surprising number of serious responses.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by vtek

better cut our consulting budgets then

Go ahead, I don't consult for insurance companies. Funny thing is, when insurance companies have hiring freezes or lay people off they tend to utilize consultants more.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by _BullDog_

previous consulting job I had froze raises for 2 years.... then I left.

Exactly my point. No raises for two years means, "please go get a different job." Congratulations.