Intelligent people please answer?

Question

I went for maternity leave June 11th 2008 and returned July 23rd after exactly 6 unpaid weeks...I was told by my "boss", our controller, that I would get a raise when I returned, seeing as how I haven't had a raise since I've been here (it was 2 years July 12th) and I only make a measly $10/hour, and no sick days or anything, if you're not here, you don't get paid. Everyone else in the office is salary except me and another woman. I have brought the issue up to my "boss" (whose dad is the owner) twice, she keeps blowing me off and says "I need to write something up", and that she had already spoken with the CFO about it. I e-mailed our CFO two weeks ago and asked him about it, and he had no clue about any of it. He had no clue about it and asked the controller and she came to me and said that it embarrassed her and made her look dumb b/c she hadn't said anything to him yet, and to this day nothing has been done! What should I do? Help!

Answer 1

You erred.  Your discussions were with the controller, and by going directly to the CFO you made her look bad.  Not wise.  Not professional.

Your choices were to either wait it out, or continue to question the controller about the raise.

Sounds like you may have cost yourself a raise.

Answer 2

Unless you got your boss to put it in writing you have no real recourse. You could be real vocal and say, "She said this, and she said that", but it won't help. It sounds like your company has a bad case of nepotism, and they're bouncing you all around to avoid the issue.  I'd forget it and look for a better paying job, especially now that you have a kid.  Good luck, Addy!

Answer 3

Is there a human resources department? How about asking for a meeting with an HR rep and your boss to discuss your concerns?  

Answer 4

You should write a matter of fact letter addressed to your boss.  Keep an official copy of the letter for your records.  

In this letter, you should state just the facts.  Length of time worked, number of sick days taken etc.  You should state the job that you do and any accomplishments, goals met, deliverables etc. You should talk about your evaluations etc.  

This is a factual letter to state your case as to why you feel that you deserve a raise.  Keep it unemotional and fact based.

You need to have something on record, otherwise it becomes a he said/she said situation.  If there is no response, then you write a second letter, this time, it get's CC'd to the CFO and human resources.

But I must also stress here that you need to be particularly on your "A" game from now on because things are getting a bit bad in your relationship with your boss already and this letter may get you the raise, but it may also exacerbate your relationship further.  So, even if you get this raise, you may become a target by your boss.