Pay increase when you become a supervisor?

[Ned Flanders]

I work for a great company, but when I accepted the job, they knew I wasn't interested in management for a couple of years . I am a Senior Systems Administrator, and I like not having to manage anyone- just take care of my own business, which is enough. Last week, I was told that I would be supervising our Technical Support Specialist. I am actually friends with the guy, we go to Skins games together! BUT, I have to manage him now. This includes weekly meetings, performance reviews, timesheet approval, and just being responsible for someone else - and he does get complaints that I'll now have to deal with.

Does this warrant a pay increase, or do I have to adjust as the job requires? It's not in my original job description, and was told a new job description would be drafted.

If it does warrant a pay increase, how much percentage wise would be fair?

I've worked independently for over 15 years, and took this job for security reasons - I have no idea how Corporate life works.

[chipwhich]

No raise to be put in charge of one person.

How about excel at management first before asking for more money. You might not be a good manager.

Also I get applicants all the time from IT people who let their skills drop and became "managers". Don't let that happen to you. Managers are expendable. IT people aren't.

[Thiebear]

If your being asked to perform managerial duties:

Ask your immediate supervisor if that includes a pay raise.

Also ask if your company has a managerial bonus program.

Not communicating will ensure you fail.

[Duckus]

If it were me, I would ask for a raise. In fact I had a very similar situation recently where I took on a completely new job/responsibilities (in addition to my current job) and I ended up with about a 35% raise. I would not expect that much, but there is absolutely no downside of asking.

The worst case scenario is they say no. Even if that happens, listen to their answer, and then ask for an evaluation in 6 months to review your performance and then to talk about a potential raise then.

The initial ask, even if rejected, will be valuable for you in 6 months.

I have only been in the "real" work force (post-college) for a short period of time - 4-5 years. But I have found that only people who push/ask get the money. You don't want to be an ******* and overplay your hand, but far to often people think employers hold all the cards.

No one is going to just walk in and hand you money. You have to understand your value and push for more money (if you deserve it).

[SkinsHokieFan]

If it were me, I would ask for a raise. In fact I had a very similar situation recently where I took on a completely new job/responsibilities (in addition to my current job) and I ended up with about a 35% raise. I would not expect that much, but there is absolutely no downside of asking.

The worst case scenario is they say no. Even if that happens, listen to their answer, and then ask for an evaluation in 6 months to review your performance and then to talk about a potential raise then.

The initial ask, even if rejected, will be valuable for you in 6 months.

I have only been in the "real" work force (post-college) for a short period of time - 4-5 years. But I have found that only people who push/ask get the money. You don't want to be an ******* and overplay your hand, but far to often people think employers hold all the cards.

No one is going to just walk in and hand you money. You have to understand your value and push for more money (if you deserve it).

Agree 100 percent.

What is the harm in asking? Even though its one person, its still an increase in duties and a pain in the ass.

In 2010 corporate America, everyone is expendable at any time. Get yours while you have the chance and leverage to get yours, because when things go south they will not show the same loyalty to you that you showed them

[Ned Flanders]

Chipwich - I ran my own consulting firm for 15 years, I know how to manage projects, people, finances, etc. I took this job because I had clients, who's businesses were failing, and were not paying me. With a wife, mortgage, 2 little kids, 1 big one in college I had to look out for my family- toughest decision I've ever had to make. I am always updating my skills, and will not fall into the managerial trap.

Thiebear - I'll have to do that. I don't think that there is any bonus programs for managers.

Duckus - Nice perspective. I am definitely looking for more money, who isn't? I'd do jumping jacks down 16th street in my underwear if they gave me a 35% raise. No way that happens, but nice to dream. I was thinking about a 5-6% raise. I am pretty close with the HR lady, so I'll ask her what she thinks.

[Duckus]

In 2010 corporate America, everyone is expendable at any time. Get yours while you have the chance and leverage to get yours, because when things go south they will not show the same loyalty to you that you showed them

Exactly. Companies wont think twice about you or your family when they cut your wages, benefits or even fire you.

I would love to live in a world where companies did feel a sense of social responsibility to their employers, but that is a dream world for 90% of us.

[PokerPacker]

Chipwich - I ran my own consulting firm for 15 years, I know how to manage projects, people, finances, etc. I took this job because I had clients, who's businesses were failing, and were not paying me. With a wife, mortgage, 2 little kids, 1 big one in college I had to look out for my family- toughest decision I've ever had to make. I am always updating my skills, and will not fall into the managerial trap.

wow, 15 years of self-employment for a 5-year-old. Eat your heart out, E-trade baby!

[MassSkinsFan]

Ned,

I think it's pretty common to get a 10-15% increase when you move up from associate to supervisor/manager. However, the timing is not always standard.

I've promoted a few people from individual contributors into management, and generally I like to put them on a trial run for 6 months or so. I do ensure they get appropriate management training (you should ask about this too) so they can succeed. Also, I spend time mentoring them so they are set up to do well, since I don't want to have to demote them and train someone else.

By all means be frank in discussing this with your boss - make it plain that you are willing to do the work and want to excel, but that you do expect some payback for your efforts once it becomes clear you're doing a good job.

[Destino]

No raise to be put in charge of one person.

How about excel at management first before asking for more money. You might not be a good manager.

Also I get applicants all the time from IT people who let their skills drop and became "managers". Don't let that happen to you. Managers are expendable. IT people aren't.

Spoken like a man signing the checks... lol

If I could get a someone to manage anyone (significantly more work) for free I might be willing to take their stupidity to the bank too. If I were being asked to manage someone it would certainly come with a raise or I'd decline it. Sorry folks but I'm not in the business of working for free and I'm not sure why anyone else would be. Any significant increase in hours or responsibilities comes with a raise or I decline... even if that means leaving (or in my line of work, dropping a client). I don't see anything wrong with demanding to be fairly compensated and never will. The only time I could compromise on that is if there is something else in it for me, like a trial period leading to greater opportunity or something else IN WRITING.

Management is tough to get right and isn't for everyone. No reason to enter into that kid of risk with little upside.

[chipwhich]

If I could get a someone to manage anyone (significantly more work) for free I might be willing to take their stupidity to the bank too. If I were being asked to manage someone it would certainly come with a raise or I'd decline it.

Well it certainly depends on what "manage" means.

It doesn't necessarily mean more work. Depends on what and how much time it entails.

Ned is a "Senior Systems Administrator" who "just takes care of his own business. I am sure he has a manager who does what he describes. But he is a senior guy who doesn't need a lot of managing.

My point was, take the task on, and see if he is cut out to manage and see if it requires more of his time. Believe it or not Dest, when people step up to the plate and do more than their job descriptions, sometimes companies are smart enough to reward them at the appropriate time.

It also depends on the company size, profile, corporate culture, etc.

If you are an employee at Google, and asked to step up to a management slot of one person, surely you wouldn't be stupid enough to say hey I will but I need a raise. It's not in the culture. Now if you are working McDonalds.....

[Skin'Em84]

wow, 15 years of self-employment for a 5-year-old. Eat your heart out, E-trade baby!

Not only that, but at 5 he has a wife, 3 kids and a house.

[TMK9973]

If there is a new job description being written - You simply follow up with "What is the new Pay Structure for this as well?"

Also - I would get on top of it by offering to write your own job description.

[Ryman of the North]

I would simply ask if there is a pay raise when my job description changes. I disliked managers when I worked for the government, we had one asshat who used to change the names on our position papers to his name, when he was finally busted all they did was suspend him for a day with pay. after that some of us started "adding" nonsensical things to our papers or random sentences on page 3 sort of stuff.suddenly he was taking credit for others work but looking foolish lol. but for the most part companies almost always take the managers side especially government jobs.

managers at my current work vary, my own manager is awesome, she basically gets us to all run our own affairs like we would run a business, i watch other managers micromanage and I shudder. I couldnt manage people, when I did, I fired half the people who worked for me because I cannot stand people being late or not showing up for work lol.