I got a 2nd job that's part time at Lowes. Ive been in the lumber department for almost two years now, and Im now the longest tenured lumber employee that store has now. When I first started, I had no retail experience and when discussing my pay at the time, I left it completely in their hands. I started off making $8.02 an hour, and now Im up to $8.54 an hour. Im finding out that a lot of the people coming in part time with little to no experience are starting off at $9.50 to even $10.00 an hour. I've actually had people tell me this over a year ago, but didn't really make much of it because I didn't know how credible they were. Ive heard enough people now to truly see that Im being screwed!! Especially since I stay on top of the job and out work anybody in that department. That's not my go talking, that's even what the dept manager and employees around me say. Im going to have to ask for a raise to stay there. I will feel a little screwed if they just bumped me up to what people starting off are making, so my aim is going to be around 11 bucks an hour. Here are the issues Im facing, first...Ive never asked for a raise before so not sure of what the most effective approach would be. 2nd, I really cant tell them who told me about their pay because its not supposed to be discussed, so how do I convince them that "I know" what people are starting out at with out throwing anybody under the bus? 3rd, a $2.50 an hour raise seems a hell of a lot to ask for at once at this pay rate. So how do I avoid this? LOWES: So what makes you think people are starting out at $9.50 / 10 an hour? ME: Its just what Ive heard LOWES: By who? ME: Umm....I dont want to say. LOWES: So you want a 30% raise, because you "heard" that people are starting off at 9.50 to 10 an hour? See how embarrassing that could quickly get? what advise do you all have?
Well I work at target right now and all of our positions have a pay scale, so everyone knows generally what everyone starts off at. If it were me, I'd talk to whichever boss I like most first of all (assuming you have more than one, if not I guess skip this step). Ask them if you can have a sit down with them about your work performance. Ask them what you can improve on and express how important your job is to you. IE How you work, why you work so hard so on. Now you're at the super tricky part. Tell them you don't see this as a job but a potential career. Lie out your *** and sound convincing. Tell them you're having a lot of trouble making ends meet (working two jobs etc) and you were wondering if your performance may warrant a raise. Now if it doesn't work you can maybe bring up that you overheard a few employees on break discussing their pay and it was more than yours. Ask is this true, you're just curious. At the end of the day they will give it to you or they won't. Try not to dig yourself a hole. If you feel too screwed it's better to search for another job and just say F**k this than to ruin what you have.
Thanks, Im almost leaning to looking elsewhere. For the most part, I like the job and the people I work with. The pay is a little frustrating now, and I might have a few other gripes, but over all I do like it. Maybe I could be better off applying to say home depot and seeing what they offer in pay, then come back to lowes and say, "hey, home depot is offering me this, can you match or do better?"
That would work assuming you have the other position 100%. I'd assume you need the job or else you definitely wouldn't be working two. So whatever you feel puts your job in least jeopardy. I'm not sure how the vibe at Lowes is. I know at Target if I asked my job would be safe, I just 95% sure wouldn't get it. It sucks, but in our type of work the job is more important to us than we are to them. Ive seen peoples pay stubs on accident at Target, and some people make $13 just because they have been there forever. They literally do 1/4 of the work but they have tenure. It's BS the way corporations do stuff. You are being screwed BTW. I work in the back at Target with all the boxes and merch and stuff. I started at $9.00 and after two years I'm at $9.97 (plus I get a dollar extra for going in at 4 AM so $10.97 but $9.97 is my base) so at the very least you're being screwed on raises.
Lowes does a yearly raise, mine comes up in November. They ask you self assess your performance, then a manager weighs in. Then they through a raise figure at you and ask if you agree. Ive just agreed with them every time leaving it in their hands. I guess Ive screwed myself as much as they have really. Another Idea that occurred to me, is there a website or a way to figure average starting pay for a position like at lowes?
Check out http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Lowe-s-Salaries-E415.htm Not necessarily starting pay but actually averages.
Just walk into your bosses office. Pull out your balls. Plop them on the desk and say, "They go back in when I get a raise. Your move, Chief."
Ha,ha!! hey the balls thing might have a high risk high reward kinda thing, the HR manager isnt the best looking women in the world, but shes not too shabby either!! That glass door shows that in my area, average pay is from 8-14 bucks an hour,...Im making 8.54, so its on the low end. I might be able to site that and get a better pay. Thanks for the site!!
you should go get some skills. Go work with a plumber, electrician or HVAC company. Apply as a helper. Make sure they understand you are willing to do what it takes to make them successful and you are in. I am in the business and they usually start at what you are getting paid. You could easily be 13/14 an hour after 2 or 3 yrs. No offense Bro but Lowes is a dead end J O B
Buy a gun. Walk into his office. Pull it out. Wave it at him. Tell him, "I can load it with hugs or I can load it with hollow points, choice is yours." That worked for me a few times prior to my recent prison sentence.
You're screwed, this happens in all types of retail and restaurant jobs. Only real option is look for work elsewhere. Chances of you getting that $1.50/hr raise are less than nil. Its a shame but true.
You should never ask for a raise based on what others are getting, or because of external financial circumstances (i.e. "i have to pay for X"). If you want a raise, go to your boss, tell them that you feel you are worth $X. Tell them how you add value to the company. You need to convince them that you are worth what more than you are getting. If you truly are, they will give you the raise.
I got a plan. What do u know about hacking? Are you morally for or against breaking and entering and possibly manslaughter?
In general? Yes. In retail? NO You are NEVER worth any more than another employee. The place is like a hive where any individual can be replaced. The only way to receive fair pay is in comparison to others.
Ha. Reminds me of Ted when he's talking **** to the store Manager about his wife. And than gets a raise. Has sex with the cashier in the storage room. Than gets a another raise. is she single? if not, you're screwed.... unless you're a stud. Than you could just bang her.. that always works. (or someone else in 'storage' like Ted)
