I sent him (the owner) a fairly stern e-mail making my case. He said he “understands times are tough” & that he's “sure we can figure something out” & that we'll “talk & finalize it next week.” He's an old, stern, traditional kind of guy who believes the internet is a trend. I work in his e-commerce department. Use to be 7 people. Now it's 3. 5 quit. The newest guy has been there 6 months, I trained him, he's my boss.
I pretty much told the owner I would quit in the original e-mail if I didn't get the 10K raise & I don't plan on budging there either—I'll need it to afford rent. I also plan on asking 10K more if he wants me to continue commuting into work (I'm already partially remote; I was fully but came back to help fill a vacancy that has since been filled). I take on the roles of about 4 full time jobs that all make 70K a year via salary.com in the city I work in & I made that clear in the e-mail as well—entirely doable remotely. I come in to help with customer service. Working fully remote is really important to me so I want to be stingy there but it is likely not worth quitting over.
I'm also not too sure why I asked to be salaried in hindsight. It would be nice not having to keep track of my hours all of the time but I've only heard good things about hourly tbh. I also understand if he doesn't want to give me that since I'll be fully remote (I guess)—is there a good reason to be salaried? Is there benefits? I asked for 40K a year. I'd take 20 an hour.
I have money saved up & people I can live with if I do lose this job. I'm ready to pursue opportunities elsewhere but it would be nice to stick with it as I do get to work in a genre that I'm passionate about. If I get everything I requested in the e-mail it would legit be a dream come true for me, I really don't want to budge.
I've never done a meeting for something like this though, any advice? I plan on just asking him what he's willing to give me, letting him talk, & going from there. Should I not budge on anything? I do think I'm in a position where I could afford not to but I also do want to be respectful. I'm just really nervous, it'd help to even just talk about it with someone. How's the job market for graphic design; is it easier to get a fully remote job in that field right now?