I work in a really specialized industry with very few competitors, and have been with my current company for several years and have nearly a decade of experience in my specific field.
Company has underpaid staff because we were in startup mode sans investment, but it legitimately is a great place to work, infinite time off, very good work life balance, etc. We all knew we’d be bought at some point and thought the work would be worth it when the time came.
The time is now, and the offers are….. underwhelming to say the least. The company purchasing us is huge, and the “raise” they offered me is less than a COLA raise would be. I’ve brought this to the attention of some peers (we’ve all been sharing offers with each other to empower everyone) and my leadership and, while my peers seem to agree they are disappointed, leadership is making me feel like I’m being unreasonable for wanting more.
I have yet to even see a job description of the position they are offering (it is probably what I’m doing now, just under a different name, but I don’t know that for sure), and we are being pressured to sign offer letters by X date. I countered, have yet to hear back, but have been asked to tell my leadership what my “reasonable expectation is” so they can take that to new company.
I’m in a leadership position at my current company and have a mass of knowledge about the product that nobody else does. I know I’m in a position of power, but damn is it disheartening to know that literally any company is going to pay you the minimum they can.
Any advice is much appreciated!