UPDATE:How to ask for a salary increase? (Sorry- long)

[happymom]

I am currently a special ed preschool teacher. I work part time (20 hours per week) and I love my job. My boss approached me and offered me a different position for next year. They are basically creating a new position that has never existed before. The main part of the job is curriculum coordinator but there are other responsibilities tacked on as well. The hours will stay the same. I think I would really enjoy this job and its a nice opportunity to explore something different in my field. Curriculum and lesson planning has always been an area of expertise for me, so it would likely be a good fit for me.

It gets tricky when it comes down to money though. I have 2 bosses- one is the educational director and the other is the executive director. The educational director is the one who approached me about the job. She specifically stated that it would be a "step up" and just based upon the job description, it does seem to be a higher level position than just a teacher . However, she does not officially deal with the salaries. I asked her if she knew what the salary would be and she said the executive director was expecting it to remain the same. I didn't ask any further since I know she does not make these decisions.

So now I need to have a conversation with the executive director and I have no idea how to go about it. I know he will act surprised when I suggest a salary increase, and it will be very uncomfortable. I had one other interaction with this executive director about money in the past and it did not
go weIl. (He had been asking me to run an after school program and was offering very low compensation. When I asked for more, he really made me feel like I was being greedy and unreasonable. And just to be clear, I spoke to numerous people before deciding how much to ask for and it really was a fair and normal amount of money). Anyways, I feel like I'm being taken advantage of here...for him to assume he can just leave my salary the same since the hours are the same is just unfair. It's not the same job in the least! He happens to be a very nice man and is a pleasure to work with, but when it comes to money, everything is different.

Part of the challenge that I'm having is that I'm not honestly sure what the salary should be. I definitely feel that it should be more than a standard teaching salary. But it's a private school and I don't have anything to compare this job to since its kind of a unique position.

Any suggestions for how to talk to the executive director successfully about a salary increase? I literally can't think of the first sentence I would say!

Thanks for reading this long and rambling post and TIA for any advice you may have.


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[blisstwins]

You need to read this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Knowing-Your-V...mica+brezinski

I really think women need to become more comfortable with this. He is exploiting women/educator's natural discomfort with this. You will need to make an appointment and say something like, "I am excited to take on more responsibilities and I need to discuss my contract/compensation." If he sayd same hours=same pay ask him if EVERYONE at the school earns the same no matter the job? his logic makes no sense. Know exactly what you want before you go into the meeting and then just do it. Force yourself not to let him get to you.

[happymom]

Thanks. You are right, I just end up doubting myself and feeling uncomfortable. I also really need to figure out (somehow) what a reasonable salary would be. I don't want to sound greedy or ridiculous, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of.



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[PZMommy]

I know in my district, coordinators that do what you are describing, make about $7000 more per year than teachers, but they do work an extra hour. When it is averaged out per hour the salary isn't a whole lot more. The extra hour is what gives them the biggest increase.

[happymom]

Thanks PZMommy. That is actually very helpful information. If in fact curriculum cordinators do not earn a higher salary, I would still want to use this opportunity to ask for a raise. The teachers in the school all received a 5% paycut about 5-6 years ago when money was particularly tight and the school was really struggling to stay afloat. However, they have since recovered from that difficult time and we haven't received even the slightest "raise".

It seems like this would be a good opportunity to ask. I just have to work up the guts to do so. Any advice?

[Green_Tea]

I know in my district, coordinators that do what you are describing, make about $7000 more per year than teachers, but they do work an extra hour. When it is averaged out per hour the salary isn't a whole lot more. The extra hour is what gives them the biggest increase.

In my district curriculum specialists make $4000 more than classroom teachers, but are expected to work an additional three weeks a year, mostky during the summer.

I would do some additional research about what similar positions make in your area, and also consider what your next step will be if they decline the raise (which sounds unfair - but possible.)

[mmommy]

I would do some additional research about what similar positions make in your area, and also consider what your next step will be if they decline the raise (which sounds unfair - but possible.)

I think this is important advice. Having an understanding of what similar positions pay in your area is really important. As is knowing what you'll do if he says no.

[PZMommy]

In my district curriculum specialists make $4000 more than classroom teachers, but are expected to work an additional three weeks a year, mostky during the summer.

I would do some additional research about what similar positions make in your area, and also consider what your next step will be if they decline the raise (which sounds unfair - but possible.)

Ours goes in early too. Most teacher at my school also go in early, but it is optional. The coordinator is required to.

[happymom]

Thanks everyone. I am trying to do some research to find out how much similar jobs make in my area, although its really not easy to find out. Assuming the salary is similar/the same, I would definitely want to ask for at least a small raise. As I mentioned upthread, we received a paycut a few years back and have never been raised since then. I feel this is a good opportunity to ask. I am getting nervous just thinking about it though! I KNOW they are very happy with me as an employee. I have a great reputation as a teacher and am well-liked and hard working and competent. I just don't know how to come out and ask for the raise...this is obviously not a corporate or even a very professional environment. Its a small school, everyone is kind of casual and friendly with one another. So keeping that in mind, any tips or advice for me?

Thanks.

[truly scrumptious]

If it is a casual environment, you have to be doubly prepared. Here are a few things I'd focus on:
- Your contribution as a teacher. You can talk about how much you love doing it, but that it is important that you feel your work is appreciated and valued.
- Use PP's suggestion if he gives you the hours argument - "surely not everyone at the school is paid at the same rate. It's not just the number of hours, but the kind of work, right? But as Exec director he probably knows that stuff better than you." (backhanded compliment, implying that he knows better than to argue that. ha!)
- How happy you are about this new opportunity, and you're confident that with your creativity and skills you can really make an impact. You want to be sure that you can stay motivated through the process and part of that means feeling valued and that you are being adequately compensated.
- You really value your relationship with the school and you want to feel like you're making a difference.

You also need to know before going in what your bottom line is. And as PPs said, what you'll do if he says no.

You can also be prepared to propose some alternatives like a small increase now, with a six month bump once you prove you can do the new job. Or a bonus (amount agreed in advance) provided you accomplish specific goals (to be specified in advance and agreed to by you as achievable, of course.) Or they could pay for additional schooling for you, or some other benefit, 403 (b) contribution, etc. - basically you can be creative about HOW they compensate you, if it will make him feel like you're working with him. You could ask what his concerns are about paying you more. If it is budget, you can also ask why they decided to create this position and what impact they expect it to have on the school, and then specifically talk about how you can create that impact. Relate the value you're bringing directly to what he cares about.

ETA - Good luck!