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Question What am I worth?

L

LearningTheProfession

New Member
In late March- early April two of our upper level management team members got a promising opportunity at another company and chose to pursue it. In doing so a lot of responsibilities have fallen on to my shoulders.

I went from a production specialist( just running the machines and table work) to an installer, IT specialist/ technician ( I have an IT background), Ordering all of our materials, and now I am SOLELY reasonable for all production.

We will be discussing my raise in the coming weeks and I genuinely don't know an appropriate number to ask for. They have treated me very well (which is why I've stepped up thus far before a pay raise.)

I've been with this company for just over a year, with several years experience in production.

Thank you in advance for your advice.
 
C

ColoPrinthead

Guest
I'm sure it will vary dependent on location. I had a production specialist doing laminating, table work, and minimal printer operation who had a year of experience with small format digital print and finishing and we were paying him $20/hr.
 
Texas_Signmaker

Texas_Signmaker

Very Active Signmaker
What isthe company's yearly sales? How many employees do you oversee? How many hours a week do you work? You get benefits?
 
L

LearningTheProfession

New Member
I would say sales are roughly $500,000 annually. (that's purely an educated guess)
I don't have anyone below me, we are pretty bare bones at the moment, we are down to 4 employees, and no benefits.
I work at least 40 hours a week.
 
Johnny Best

Johnny Best

Active Member
Well it looks like they were not paying the other two guys much because they left. You seemed to have replaced two people. So take what you make now and double it.
But, they are going to offer you a small raise and tell you how great you are needed and promise you more when business starts coming around again.
Learn as much as you can in the next year and maybe go out on your own.
 
Notarealsignguy

Notarealsignguy

Arial - it's almost helvetica
What are you worth to another employer in the same town?
My advice is to see what they offer and judge for yourself if it is fair in your eyes. Dont worry as much about what other people think you should earn or both sides may walk away mad.
 
Gino

Gino

Premium Subscriber
The new areas in which they want you to fill the spots...... are you any good at any of them ?? Can you really do a good job ?? Be honest, they will be. Since they want you to do the jobs of two people plus what you used to do, can you get 24 hours worth of work done in 8 hours ?? How 'bout on a busy day ?? To be fair to you and to your boss, you should decline the offer and let them hire the needed people. If you want the money, hold out for at least $25 and tell them what YOU'RE willing to do.


Oh, and don't forget the backpay for the last almost 2 months.​
 
Notarealsignguy

Notarealsignguy

Arial - it's almost helvetica
Assuming that you are young, I would recommend staying or going where you can learn the most and not focus on a couple of bucks at this stage. It sounds like with the responsibility they have given you (or allowed you to assume) that they would be willing to teach you more things. Hone these skills for some time because there is a big difference in being able to do something and being good at it.
 
Texas_Signmaker

Texas_Signmaker

Very Active Signmaker
If Signarama is offering $18 maybe you should go interview with them and see what you would be doing. Having another offer on the table will get their attention. You might find Signarama being more organized and requires less of you.

Also be in it for the education. If your current employer does bucket truck installs and big signs, but Signarama does not...that could be a disadvantage.

Either way, go interview with people and don't put loyalty with your current employer. Don't let them pile too much on you and take advantage of you.
 
Z SIGNS

Z SIGNS

New Member
If you are a sign making genius with outstanding skills you are worth a lot of money.If you are such a person you can ask whatever you want as far as pay goes.If you are that good employers will desire you. Other people can't answer that question for you.
 
C

CanuckSigns

Active Member
If your current shop is only doing $500,000 in yearly sales with 4 employees, I don't think there is going to be a whole lot of money there to give you a raise with. Go interview with the signarama, see what they offer you, then give your current boss the option to match it, if they don't then walk. The only exception is if the work at your current shop is more rewarding, that is worth a lot.
 
J

Jeremiah

New Member
Many years ago when I was just out of school , an older gentleman told me that if i did not know what i was worth for an hourly wage, i was only worth minimum wage ! I believe that. Another fact to accept is that EVERYONE can be replaced.
 
kcollinsdesign

kcollinsdesign

Old member
It's not so much what you are worth but how much your employer is willing to pay you. At $500,000 annual sales/4 employees that works out to about $18.00/hour for each employee (a buck or two more for the most productive, a buck or two less for the less experienced). If your assessment of your value leads you to the conclusion you are underpaid, you can work with your company to increase revenues (leading to better pay) or find an employer who needs your valuable skills and can afford to pay more.
 
C5 Service&Repair

C5 Service&Repair

New Member
Regardless of IF everyone can be replaced, which I don't personally think they can, the important part is what you are worth to them. You very well may be worth more or less to other companies, but they will have a cap on what they can afford to pay, and frankly what they think you are worth.
 
G

greysquirrel

New Member
grass is always greener...Are you happier with your current role and the added responsibilities? It sounds like you are new to the game...I am assuming in your twenties...age doesn't really matter here. I always look to these jobs as stepping stones. This won't be your last job. Be a sponge. Learn everything you can. Be a major part of the team and the money will follow. If it doesn't then you have your answer and you are ready for your next opportunity. You can't base your role in your company against someone else's. There are always other factors as mentioned above. The company may not be able to pay you more.
happiness, sense of worth, opportunity to learn will always result with money either here or there...
 
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