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Topic: Pay increases in 2007
| Author | Message |
| Jerose | Posted – 12/7/2007 3:03:04 PM | show profile Hi all. I've finished the last of the reviews of my staff for 2007 and have been lambasted for "only" giving between 5 and 8 percent raises this year. Can anyone tell me what they have received (I'm talking percentage here!). My company notoriously only gives 3-5 percent raises, so I felt quite accomplished when I managed to fight for above the status quo. The increases have been for junior-level editors, production team members, and one circulation assistant, all making under $50K. I'd love thoughts cause I'm feeling kind of beat up here. |
| ConfidentDesigner | Posted – 12/7/2007 3:09:43 PM | show profile Wow! I'd say that's darned good! For the past 5 years or so that I was an employee (I am strictly freelance now), I was lucky to get 4.5% which is what I got last year. Generally it was anywhere from 1 (yes 1%!) to 3%. why are they complaining? |
| astrahook | Posted – 12/7/2007 3:34:56 PM | show profile because all people in the publishing business seem to do is whine |
| pentup | Posted – 12/7/2007 5:41:34 PM | show profile They're complaining beause everyone in the publishing industry is underpaid. I'm expecting a 2 percent "cost of living" raise this year if I'm lucky. 5 to 8's not bad, but if you're making 36,000, it's not really an amount that will help you much -- about $34-$55 extra bucks a week. Can't buy a house with that. |
| foodlit | Posted – 12/7/2007 6:01:32 PM | show profile 5-8% is high. It doesn't feel like it probably because the salaries are low, but I would explain that it's above the norm. The only time you generally get much more of a percentage increase is if you are promoted or change companies. |
| rulebook | Posted – 12/7/2007 6:14:45 PM | show profile because all people in the publishing business seem to do is whine ^^^^^^^^^ THIS |
| SPF 30 | Posted – 12/7/2007 8:48:19 PM | show profile It's high. Don't feel bad. |
| nandy | Posted – 12/8/2007 10:16:11 AM | show profile I'd say they are doing well. I'm doing my reviews this weekend, and the most I can give without a promotion involved (and there's really no level to promote anyone to), is 5%--and that's for an extraordinary performance rating which is hard to obtain. Nope, they'll get their union-dictated 4% again this year, and I'll get 2.8%, and fall further behind them in salary. |
| Metro Writer | Posted – 12/9/2007 4:54:53 PM | show profile | email poster SRose, if you hire me, I promise to write well and not be an ingrate! My paper usually gives us 1% per year, and we have to wait at least 4 more months for it. |
| Jen480 | Posted – 12/9/2007 6:01:06 PM | show profile I received a 7 percent increase for 2007, but that was a combination of a cost-of-living raise (3 percent) and a merit raise. (4 percent). Whoop-de-doo, but at least it's something, right? |
| can't say | Posted – 12/10/2007 11:45:04 AM | show profile 1.5% |
| Jerose | Posted – 12/10/2007 2:12:04 PM | show profile Thanks Your responses helped a LOT. One other question: If you work those extra hours during deadline, do you get paid for them or do you get comp time or none of the above? My employees are salaried, but I always let my staff go home once the magazine is done, IF there was overtime involved. With the raises, which you have all told me are above average, and the flexible work time, I can't figure out why my staff is so mierable about their hours and pay. I'm curious if this is an industry-wide issue (seems to be, based on some other threads) or a company thing. It's an issue I'd like to resolve before I go and hire additional staff who will either be poisoned by my bitter staff members or worn down by the profession. |
| Mag Girl | Posted – 12/10/2007 2:27:43 PM | show profile well, srose, we'd probably have to know exactly how low their salaries are and their experience level to know if they have a legitimate gripe about pay. |
| pop | Posted – 12/10/2007 10:22:36 PM | show profile Give yourself a pat on the back! You sound like great supervisor, srose. |
| SFElisaW | Posted – 12/18/2007 6:31:28 PM | show profile >If you work those extra hours during deadline, do you get >paid for them or do you get comp time or none of the above? >My employees are salaried, but I always let my staff go home >once the magazine is done, IF there was overtime involved. When I was at a jr position at a newsweekly, time over the 8-hr standard day and any weekend work was paid in cash. When I worked at monthlies in more senior positions, coming in half day on the weekend usually resulted in a full-day off when there was downtime. Late nights usually meant getting off early - at a time that WE wanted, not just when the editor wanted, as long as it was convenient for the schedule. (Which is what I did when I was an editor, too.) Saying "I always let my staff go home once the magazine is done, IF there is overtime involved" raises some red flags for me. If they are doing quite a bit of overtime, letting them go early when the mag is done is the LEAST they should be getting. If they've been efficient and they've closed the mag without having to work overtime, shouldn't you celebrate by leaving a bit early anyway? If they're happy, won't they be thinking of story ideas in the bath or over Saturday morning coffee? Also, are they clear about potential for advancements, ie promotions with higher pay? If there is very little potential, I think it can be helpful to be honest about the odds of their pay increasing dramatically - stressing that you're just the messenger. Early in a career, people often think that grade levels can/should be adjusted based on the person in them (rather than the position) when most companies aren't that flexible. I think the percentages you stated are standard to high increases, so there is probably something else going on. I also wouldn't put off hiring the new person if there is any question that the workload/hours are high. What is your company's position on freelancing outside of work? If it's OK, you can mention that it's something people do to increase their earning and try out some other writing styles (mentioning what is and isn't OK during work hours.) Finally, I'd take an employee or two aside and see if you can track down why they were disappointed and what would make them happier - besides more money, which you can't offer them. Good luck! |
| mkelly | Posted – 12/19/2007 10:06:14 AM | show profile You've omitted a few key facts: 1) What city do you all live in? 2) What subject do you cover? If you're an arts publication in New York, you can pay peanuts with an annual bonus of popcorn. If you're a high-end business publication that requires specialized knowledge, you need to pay actual money. But by any stretch, 5 to 8 percent is a respectable raise. If you're only making mid-30s and not happy about it, you have a bigger problem than a respectable raise-- the company just doesn't generate the revenue necessary to give you a good standard of living, period. At that level, pay raises just let your substandard salary keep pace with inflation. Nobody is going to give you a 50 percent raise to bring your overall standard of living into the normal range. |
