I work for a movie post production company that shall go unnamed, however I was initially hired to author DVD’s, that is, import video files, import menu files, connect them together, make sure “scene select” actually goes to the right scene, blah blah.
So it turned out I’m a really proficient movie editor, and once they noticed this, they assigned editing tasks to me to ease the editing department, and me, excited to be doing my ‘forte’ so to speak, took task… to prove my skill.
So I figure, I’m doing extra work, more than my equally payed coworkers in my department. That is, more demanding, more knowledge required. I feel I should ask for a raise and if am denied a raise, should I deny my movie editing duties, and just do exactly what I was hired to do? Is this right? I mean, should I march in and threaten this? I only ask here because I have no one in my life to turn to my life, my family is pretty ignorant and my friends are losers (that is, they work in construction).
Thanks!
I think you abolutely have a case for a pay rise, but I’d avoid rushing into your boss’s office to demand it.
I would suggest:
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find out what the “going rate” for a movie editor is in your locale (and nationwide), so you can prove what you’re asking for matches the industry standard
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do the work for 3-4 months, and do it well. It’s a lot easier to claim a raise for a job you are already doing (and have done) well, than for a job you might do well at in the future.
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after 3 months approach your manager, describe the work you’ve been doing, point out the salary difference based on your research, and ask whether you can expect a salary adjustment
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if they can’t offer one then and there, ask how long it will be before you can… our firm tends to ask a person to fill a role for six months, then bump up the salary (which may or may not be backdated)
In the current economic climate I’d be very leery about asking for a raise and I certainly wouldn’t withhold labour. Probably your best bet is to try and get hired at a competitor.
I think Wallenstein has hit it right on the head, but you haven’t said where you live – I’m surprised there isn’t union procedure for such a thing. Are you in a union?
That was my question. There may be a guideline that you can cite.
I remember when I was temping, I’d eventually be asked to do things that were outside the pay level the company was paying for me. The temp agency was always very adamant about us reporting “over and above” activities, because it equals more money in their pocket and more in the employee’s.