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Finally asked for a raise and boss says, “sure 20% as soon as you get this done……”

I am in construction and my position is very valuable to the company. I took a lower compensation to get on with this company because I was excited by the business model presented to me when I was recruited. Yes, recruited. I was not looking for a job. Well, my recruiter became my direct supervisor and it turns out I am much more skilled. Eventually, my former supervisor did less and took credit for my effort. I got him fired, and rightly so for some serious ethical and conflict of interest issues. He had it coming. At the time of the confrontation, I was prepared to be terminated. I already had another job lined up for more pay in the same industry. However, I preferred the job and company I was already working for. So when asked to stay I said I need ($this) much guaranteed, a truck, the same…


I am in construction and my position is very valuable to the company. I took a lower compensation to get on with this company because I was excited by the business model presented to me when I was recruited. Yes, recruited. I was not looking for a job. Well, my recruiter became my direct supervisor and it turns out I am much more skilled. Eventually, my former supervisor did less and took credit for my effort. I got him fired, and rightly so for some serious ethical and conflict of interest issues. He had it coming.

At the time of the confrontation, I was prepared to be terminated. I already had another job lined up for more pay in the same industry. However, I preferred the job and company I was already working for. So when asked to stay I said I need ($this) much guaranteed, a truck, the same bonuses, and the remaining standard compensation. They countered with less and the owner called to ask, “is this about money? If it is about money, this may not work. We want someone who cares about the business. You will be expected to take some risk if you want a higher compensation.” I took less and took the risk.

The “risk” at the time was one of my bonuses and the largest one at that. If I did not meet the schedule that I created in the beginning of this promotion then I would not get that bonus. The only surprise to me was that after I created the schedule, he told me to shorten it. Well, yeah I did. After creating a schedule I could barely meet, I agreed to make it more restrictive. I left about $9,000 on the table that year.

I followed through, took the hit and kept on hustling. I finished the project and under budget. Now I’m in my 3rd year with the company and a new budget just started for a new project. So, I asked for another raise. They agreed almost immediately. They agreed to bump me 20% and give me an additional bonus. There was just one catch…..Your raise will take effect once the project has completed a specific milestone. To my dismay, this milestone is out of my control and will likely extend my employment an additional 6-8 months before my raise is realized

What should I do? How do I approach this with my boss? I’ve lost a lot of motivation due to this. I want the pay that I’ve earned now. Why do I have to jump through a hoop? Finally, I’d like to mention that right now I am tasked with rewriting company policy and procedure, along with creating an entire job schedule for a production neighborhood (including setting up and launching the software), and creating an employee handbook while managing employees and subcontractors. All of these things are to be used for the foreseeable future of this company. They want all my expertise and knowledge applied to their business model, but they want to pay me like I’m replaceable.

Your advice is very much welcome here. Please comment if you have good advice that can put me on the path to higher compensation!

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