Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#1

Post by minusthebrandon » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:05 AM UTC

So, I currently work for a company at a certain salary. I've worked there for two years now. As a condition of taking the job, I was allowed to work remotely when they moved their office (54 miles away from my house). The move was planned when I was interviewed.

Since then, we've gotten a new boss that wants everyone in the office more, including me. I told him we need to discuss my salary if he's changing the conditions of the job I accepted. He's been blowing me off for a few weeks now.

I haven't received any raises there and I found out that they're expanding the team and my salary is the lowest they're willing to pay for a new person in my position.

What I want to know is, what should I do with this information? I'm afraid that if I ask for more money, they might fire me, since they're hiring for my position anyway (for a different team, they say).

However, I don't think it's fair that I haven't received a single raise and that I make the lowest amount for this position, especially after two years of nothing but great work.

What should I do? Any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: I received word from my boss about a gas card...

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#2

Post by greenyoda » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:25 AM UTC

Maybe it's time to start looking for a new job. Are there opportunities available closer to your home?

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#3

Post by minusthebrandon » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:27 AM UTC

greenyoda wrote: post #2

Maybe it's time to start looking for a new job. Are there opportunities available closer to your home?

Yes, but many involve a commute nearly as rough as the one I'm facing now. But I suppose in that situation, I could negotiate a higher salary from the get-go.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#4

Post by krapp » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:28 AM UTC

You should probably start looking for a new job now.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#5

Post by Seb86 » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:28 AM UTC

Talk to a lawyer and get them to talk to your boss about the remote work situation and the initial contract.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#6

Post by minusthebrandon » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:29 AM UTC

Seb86 wrote: post #5

Talk to a lawyer and get them to talk to your boss about the remote work situation and the initial contract.

It was just an oral agreement. Nothing on paper.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#7

Post by geerlingguy » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:31 AM UTC

minusthebrandon wrote: post #3

greenyoda wrote: post #2

Maybe it's time to start looking for a new job. Are there opportunities available closer to your home?

Yes, but many involve a commute nearly as rough as the one I'm facing now. But I suppose in that situation, I could negotiate a higher salary from the get-go.

If your current employer isn't entertaining the idea of a raise (especially a substantial raise), you should wonder how much they really value you as an employee (the answer: probably not too much).

You should always have your eyes open for a better opportunity, especially if you don't feel all that happy with your current situation (that's one small luxury we currently have in the software development industry—take advantage of it!).

On the flip side, if you're satisfied where you are, and you're on a great team, feel free to stay, but know that any kind of raise would be an uphill battle.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#8

Post by chadkruse » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:32 AM UTC

Using the lens of 'what makes the most sense in the long term', could you really handle commuting 54 miles? Personally I couldn't handle that commute for any price.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#9

Post by minusthebrandon » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:33 AM UTC

chadkruse wrote: post #8

Using the lens of 'what makes the most sense in the long term', could you really handle commuting 54 miles? Personally I couldn't handle that commute for any price.

I tell myself I could, but it's rough. A good 3+ hours in the car every day.

Re: Ask HN: What should I do in this situation?

#10

Post by minusthebrandon » Mon, Jul 21, 2014, 2:35 AM UTC

geerlingguy wrote: post #7

minusthebrandon wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but many involve a commute nearly as rough as the one I'm facing now. But I suppose in that situation, I could negotiate a higher salary from the get-go.

If your current employer isn't entertaining the idea of a raise (especially a substantial raise), you should wonder how much they really value you as an employee (the answer: probably not too much). You should always have your eyes open for a better opportunity, especially if you don't feel all that happy with your current situation (that's one small luxury we currently have in the software development industry—take…

This is how I'm starting to feel. I love the team. Part of me thinks I'm blowing this out of proportion and ascribing nefarious motives to the higher-ups when they don't actually have any... but I also think I'm telling myself that so I don't have to face reality.