I have been working/ Studying at my current company (College) for 8+ years (On/off). I always left because of better opportunities ( that didn't work) out or for better pay. I was always told that If you attain higher education your salary will be increased to match the certification. But right when I did finish my diploma they pulled us all into a meeting and told us that “actually we do not count certificates as grounds for a higher salary”.
Right after this I texted the Head of Administration (since I naively thought he was my friend, as we did shit together that close friends would always do) about why my pay is still below that of other admins 3 years after rejoining. I found out through a mail (payroll) that was accidentally sent through the mail to everyone. I noticed his salary was increased thrice in 2 years that rose from 11K to 20K per month. He did not like my text at all. Put me into a meeting and was told that I was below other admins.
Fast forward to when My country decided COVID no longer existed and opened up the work places and I was told to come to work on site. I refused at first saying that the numbers are still at an all time high and that I would like to live. He let me stay till the end of the month and should numbers decrease I will have to come to work on site.
Next month begins and numbers didn't go down at all but there is a mail from the HR person ( his right hand man) saying that I need to come to work on site now. I texted the Head of Administration again and asked him why should I come when the numbers haven't gone down at all. He didn't like it, I got pulled into another meeting and got told that I had an “attitude problem” and threatened me with disciplinary action next time something like this happens.
Now the Head of Administration does not have education higher than his basic education and I KNOW FOR A FACT that when he has a diploma, then the certification will start counting for grounds for higher salary. I know this since his father is the director of the place and the only higher up with an actual higher education.
For context, Since where I work is an actual college and them refusing to increase my salary to match just even my education is so mind numbing to me. I have finished my diploma and associates degree now. Now in the final 3rd year of my bachelor's.
I recently asked the director if we would get a raise when I would get a hold of my Associates degree certification and was told that “we don't do that here” and that your work can be done by a kid who just has basic education and that if you keep demanding for higher pay then he would have to let us go.
I have since been looking for better jobs and keep finding tons with better pay and benefits (the only benefit here is that education is free as long as you work in the college). I will be leaving as soon as I find a better job. I'm keeping low and updating my CV. For all they know I am okay and will continue to work here. But I'm leaving without notice as soon as I find a better job and get a hold of my certifications.
For those who want to know I started out as a receptionist for the college in 2014 (pay sucked balls back then) worked my ass off to get to where I am now, a Administrative officer/ Academic Administrator and work directly under the Registrar of the college. I had to manage the college alone at night for the majority of the years I was there. Now they have 4 people doing what I used to do alone. Now I barely do enough for a day and get a decent salary compared to it.
Sorry for the bad grammar, English is not my first Language as I am from the Maldives.