I say this after being on both sides of the table. Most people out there are bordering on a waste of oxygen - taking valuable time from the useful ones to solve inane problems. About 10% of workers are truly talented, and can solve problems independently - those are the guys you want. The next 10-15% are good - not really independent problem solvers, but reliable and honest, and would prefer a productive work day to being bored 'cause there isn't enough to keep them busy. Everybody else is just killing time for their meal ticket. An, honestly, I was a combination of the first and last groups for a lot of years. I sure as hell wouldn't have given my former self a raise of any significance. In the past three years I've been asked by several people to join their staff or lead a new department - but I've also got 8 years of running a very successful firm (~30-40% growth every year for 7 years, we'll probably drop back to about 20-25% year with the recession).
If you're not getting a raise, one of three things is happening:
1) the company really is on hard times - they're keeping you, perhaps at a loss, because you're valuable.
2) you're boss is not giving you credit for what you do, or nobody with decision authority sees your brilliance and work ethic.
3) you're in the 75-80% of people who really aren't that good.
If you're in the rare #2 slot (I'm going to put that at less than 1%; good odds are that you're really a #3), I feel for you, and you definitely need to find another job. If you're #1, you have to decide if it's worth bailing on the company who is keeping you employed. If you're #3, good luck. You'll always be disappointed.
I think you forgot #4...
-Your company is doing ok and wants to stay high on the hog.
Im going on 3 years with no raise. Had to take a pay/benefit cut 2 years ago when we really were not doing that bad. We get emails every week about how good we are doing and how our customer loves us, but nothing at the end of the year. Oh, we might get a pizza party... fuck that. I know my boss and the customer that i support loves me and the team I'm on. We have gone through hell for them and always come out like white knights.
Yet, we get nothing, and we are told to like it.
Why don't we cut off internet access to Africa. I figure if someone actually needs it, then they can submit a request like we all do in the business world...
and we all know how well that works.
(Do we get karma for sarcasm?)
Dear Microsoft,
I do enjoy windows. When the day is nice and warm i open them to let the wind come into my house. It makes me feel nice and cool. I love my windows.
Slashdot Mirror
I say this after being on both sides of the table. Most people out there are bordering on a waste of oxygen - taking valuable time from the useful ones to solve inane problems. About 10% of workers are truly talented, and can solve problems independently - those are the guys you want. The next 10-15% are good - not really independent problem solvers, but reliable and honest, and would prefer a productive work day to being bored 'cause there isn't enough to keep them busy. Everybody else is just killing time for their meal ticket. An, honestly, I was a combination of the first and last groups for a lot of years. I sure as hell wouldn't have given my former self a raise of any significance. In the past three years I've been asked by several people to join their staff or lead a new department - but I've also got 8 years of running a very successful firm (~30-40% growth every year for 7 years, we'll probably drop back to about 20-25% year with the recession).
If you're not getting a raise, one of three things is happening:
1) the company really is on hard times - they're keeping you, perhaps at a loss, because you're valuable. 2) you're boss is not giving you credit for what you do, or nobody with decision authority sees your brilliance and work ethic. 3) you're in the 75-80% of people who really aren't that good.
If you're in the rare #2 slot (I'm going to put that at less than 1%; good odds are that you're really a #3), I feel for you, and you definitely need to find another job. If you're #1, you have to decide if it's worth bailing on the company who is keeping you employed. If you're #3, good luck. You'll always be disappointed.
I think you forgot #4... -Your company is doing ok and wants to stay high on the hog. Im going on 3 years with no raise. Had to take a pay/benefit cut 2 years ago when we really were not doing that bad. We get emails every week about how good we are doing and how our customer loves us, but nothing at the end of the year. Oh, we might get a pizza party... fuck that. I know my boss and the customer that i support loves me and the team I'm on. We have gone through hell for them and always come out like white knights. Yet, we get nothing, and we are told to like it.
Why don't we cut off internet access to Africa. I figure if someone actually needs it, then they can submit a request like we all do in the business world... and we all know how well that works. (Do we get karma for sarcasm?)
When your boss calls you as your woman is doing, ummm, things to you. Yeah that killed the moment. THANKS JIM! *grumbles*
are companys putting out more and more stuff to inflate the egos of geeks? I dont care but i still love my $8.00 keyboard.
Dear Microsoft, I do enjoy windows. When the day is nice and warm i open them to let the wind come into my house. It makes me feel nice and cool. I love my windows.