Dear Dave,
What’s your advice on asking for a raise in a delicate workplace situation? I’ve been with my company almost six years, and I make the same money as one of my co-workers, who has been with the company for an equal amount of time and holds the same title. I have no problem, all things being equal, but in my mind they’re not equal. During our tenure with the company, I have consistently taken on more responsibility—asked for it, even—and produced bigger and better results than he has. All things considered, at this point I feel I have the right to complain about the situation, because I think I should be making more money than he does.
Jacob
Dear Jacob,
Believe me, I understand how you feel right now. But no, you don’t have the right to complain. You agreed on your pay when you took the job, and you should perform your duties with integrity and character. What someone else does, or in this case doesn’t do, has nothing to do with your title or personal compensation.
