What’s your raise this year?

[garysears]

I’m in the DOD pay scale crowd. Currently it is mandated at 3% by Congress. Instead of paying everyone a little bit more, the military offers various sized re-enlistment / contract extension bonuses for the jobs where retention is the most difficult. Pay has apparently been getting better the last several years and the “pay gap” with the civilian world has allegedly been closed. I think the biggest problem is the government is still committed to a defined benefits retirement system. The civilian job market seems to be paying the money upfront with more generous 401K matching and stock options. So civilians have a better chance to have savings built up rather than relying on the government retirement check to fund the good years. The options in the military seems to be cut out early or commit to the long haul. That is the way the system is designed. Overall, the problem with the time in service, even pay scale for even ranks is the complete lack of incentive to do a superior job.

security vs. satisfaction

By the way, congress is apparently haggling with the President over a 0.5% difference between proposals for military pay increase. That small amount isn’t significant considering inflation but somehow has become highly politicized.

[one_muggle]

gary,

Instead of paying everyone a little bit more, the military offers various sized re-enlistment / contract extension bonuses for the jobs where retention is the most difficult.
“Nice” of them since your bonus doesn’t count towards calculating retirement benefits. BTW, that half percent is a bunch when you figure in all the people that will get it.

-one muggle

[one_muggle]

gary,

Instead of paying everyone a little bit more, the military offers various sized re-enlistment / contract extension bonuses for the jobs where retention is the most difficult.
“Nice” of them since your bonus doesn’t count towards calculating retirement benefits. BTW, that half percent is a bunch when you figure in all the people that will get it.

-one muggle

[one_muggle]

gary,

Instead of paying everyone a little bit more, the military offers various sized re-enlistment / contract extension bonuses for the jobs where retention is the most difficult.
“Nice” of them since your bonus doesn’t count towards calculating retirement benefits. BTW, that half percent is a bunch when you figure in all the people that will get it.

-one muggle

[Alex_angel]

a cup of coffee and a donut

[Alex_angel]

a cup of coffee and a donut

[Alex_angel]

a cup of coffee and a donut

[Coronita]

When I left Motorola for Nokia, I did it on zero notice during the most time-intensive peak of an urgent high-visibility program at Motorola. Oh, and I was the only engineer who understood the phone's display design. My bosses were screwed and they knew it. They offered me a 30% raise on-the-spot to stay at Motorola, yet only a few months before they had only offered me a 3% annual salary increase. I turned down the 30% because I knew Moto was going down the toilet.

 

 

Ouch. Talk about burning bridges.

 

Some friendly advice. I wouldn't do this in San Diego or Bay Area. Despite the sheer number of companies in the Bay Area, everyone kind knows someone that ultimately worked with you. I can't count on the numerous times I was in a post-hiring meeting, when a candidate looked great, and talked great…BUT invariably someone "knew" that person at a previous company and had issues with performance/attitude/discipline/etc. This is especially the case if you plan on being in roles of higher visibility.

 

In San Diego, it's much worse. I invariably burned a bridge with one company, only to have it bite me when I was trying to work with folks from that company elsewhere.

 

As far as my big promotions and raise increases (20+%), they have always been accomplished when I moved between companies. (about 5 times over 10 years). Never been laid off (yet). Usually because, I've always moved before trouble started. And the easiest way to find a job for me was to talk to the people that I use to work with or use to manage. Funny how things work. Those that you manage you invariably work for in the future, and vice versa. 

[Coronita]

When I left Motorola for Nokia, I did it on zero notice during the most time-intensive peak of an urgent high-visibility program at Motorola. Oh, and I was the only engineer who understood the phone's display design. My bosses were screwed and they knew it. They offered me a 30% raise on-the-spot to stay at Motorola, yet only a few months before they had only offered me a 3% annual salary increase. I turned down the 30% because I knew Moto was going down the toilet.

 

 

Ouch. Talk about burning bridges.

 

Some friendly advice. I wouldn't do this in San Diego or Bay Area. Despite the sheer number of companies in the Bay Area, everyone kind knows someone that ultimately worked with you. I can't count on the numerous times I was in a post-hiring meeting, when a candidate looked great, and talked great…BUT invariably someone "knew" that person at a previous company and had issues with performance/attitude/discipline/etc. This is especially the case if you plan on being in roles of higher visibility.

 

In San Diego, it's much worse. I invariably burned a bridge with one company, only to have it bite me when I was trying to work with folks from that company elsewhere.

 

As far as my big promotions and raise increases (20+%), they have always been accomplished when I moved between companies. (about 5 times over 10 years). Never been laid off (yet). Usually because, I've always moved before trouble started. And the easiest way to find a job for me was to talk to the people that I use to work with or use to manage. Funny how things work. Those that you manage you invariably work for in the future, and vice versa. 

[Coronita]

When I left Motorola for Nokia, I did it on zero notice during the most time-intensive peak of an urgent high-visibility program at Motorola. Oh, and I was the only engineer who understood the phone's display design. My bosses were screwed and they knew it. They offered me a 30% raise on-the-spot to stay at Motorola, yet only a few months before they had only offered me a 3% annual salary increase. I turned down the 30% because I knew Moto was going down the toilet.

 

 

Ouch. Talk about burning bridges.

 

Some friendly advice. I wouldn't do this in San Diego or Bay Area. Despite the sheer number of companies in the Bay Area, everyone kind knows someone that ultimately worked with you. I can't count on the numerous times I was in a post-hiring meeting, when a candidate looked great, and talked great…BUT invariably someone "knew" that person at a previous company and had issues with performance/attitude/discipline/etc. This is especially the case if you plan on being in roles of higher visibility.

 

In San Diego, it's much worse. I invariably burned a bridge with one company, only to have it bite me when I was trying to work with folks from that company elsewhere.

 

As far as my big promotions and raise increases (20+%), they have always been accomplished when I moved between companies. (about 5 times over 10 years). Never been laid off (yet). Usually because, I've always moved before trouble started. And the easiest way to find a job for me was to talk to the people that I use to work with or use to manage. Funny how things work. Those that you manage you invariably work for in the future, and vice versa. 

[SD Transplant]

Bumping this back up to see the changes from last year 07 to this year 08.

For the past 3 years, in my particular case, I have received smaller percentages.

This year is 3.16%

We’re passed the stage of not counting real inflation…..which is at least double my raise. In conclusion, one delusional 1st time buyer 🙂

P.S. I guess I should be thankfull for a “JOB”…as the economy is getting worse. I’ve lost most my co-workers this year (in SD).

[SD Transplant]

Bumping this back up to see the changes from last year 07 to this year 08.

For the past 3 years, in my particular case, I have received smaller percentages.

This year is 3.16%

We’re passed the stage of not counting real inflation…..which is at least double my raise. In conclusion, one delusional 1st time buyer 🙂

P.S. I guess I should be thankfull for a “JOB”…as the economy is getting worse. I’ve lost most my co-workers this year (in SD).

[SD Transplant]

Bumping this back up to see the changes from last year 07 to this year 08.

For the past 3 years, in my particular case, I have received smaller percentages.

This year is 3.16%

We’re passed the stage of not counting real inflation…..which is at least double my raise. In conclusion, one delusional 1st time buyer 🙂

P.S. I guess I should be thankfull for a “JOB”…as the economy is getting worse. I’ve lost most my co-workers this year (in SD).

[SD Transplant]

Bumping this back up to see the changes from last year 07 to this year 08.

For the past 3 years, in my particular case, I have received smaller percentages.

This year is 3.16%

We’re passed the stage of not counting real inflation…..which is at least double my raise. In conclusion, one delusional 1st time buyer 🙂

P.S. I guess I should be thankfull for a “JOB”…as the economy is getting worse. I’ve lost most my co-workers this year (in SD).

[SD Transplant]

Bumping this back up to see the changes from last year 07 to this year 08.

For the past 3 years, in my particular case, I have received smaller percentages.

This year is 3.16%

We’re passed the stage of not counting real inflation…..which is at least double my raise. In conclusion, one delusional 1st time buyer 🙂

P.S. I guess I should be thankfull for a “JOB”…as the economy is getting worse. I’ve lost most my co-workers this year (in SD).

[Author]

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