Recently my supervisor came to me and told me “congratulations you got a raise” and I was happy even if it was .89¢ because I thought it was given because of how much work I do. The next week I found out that I wasn’t the only one to get a “raise” but instead every person that has the same position got a “raise”. We have pay charts showing the range and when I looked at it I realized it was a slight bump up while people who got hired after me who don’t have the same training as me are getting paid the same amount. I’ve been covering for a woman for almost 2 years now that only left me a training document to figure out how to do her job as well as work in my regular area and I have yet to see a proper raise or promotion. I know it seems awful that I’m complaining but I’m starting to lose money because inflation is absolutely destroying my bank account no matter how much I budget.
A little more context: I’ve been working at this company for 3 years. The woman I’ve been covering for was in position that’s a level higher than me but her area doesn’t see the work needed for that position. When she left I was voluntold to go work in her area for a month before I officially understood it. Once I understood it I actually caused supervisor to see that her job is really simple. While doing her job I also had to do my job which is in a completely different area. So I’ve been working my job and her job for almost 2 years now and when I ask for a raise or a promotion I’m told I need to meet certain criteria. So the criteria I have to do deals with the government and giving them EXACT information which I’ve been doing for almost 6 months now by myself. I went to my supervisor because they told me to get them and show them I can do what the government asks and when I did they looked me in the eye and said “oh we already know you can do it”.
Does anybody have any suggestions on what to do in this situation as well as is it normal for a company to disguise a bump as a raise because my coworker was making close to $18hr and is making $22hr and he got the same position I’m in 3 months ago?