A better salary or a better job title?
By gxnfly
@gxnfly (1147)
China
April 11, 2008 8:09pm CST
Workers are being given bigger job titles rather than bigger salaries as cash-strapped companies try to keep employees happy, according to a newly published survey.Such as,a receptionist is rebranded as "Head of Verbal Telecommunications",and a window cleaner is given the impressive designation of "Optical Illuminator Enhancer.
That's really dramatic ,even kind of ridiculous I think.I don't if I will be happy by that so called""Technical Sanitation Assistant" and find myself cleaning washrooms.A "Stock Replenishment Executive" is shelf stacker.But "Up-titling" seems to have won converts.Of the 1,700 workers surveyed, around half thought a better job title would make them happier even if there was no change in what they actually did.
I do think a better job title makes workers feel respected,but the truth is there are no change in what they actually do,they are still doing the same old thing.I'd prefer a high salary or a more meaningful work rather than a better job title.But I have to admit these companies are really smart ,they see people.
4 people like this
25 responses
@jlamela (4897)
• Philippines
2 Dec 08
I prefer better salary than position. Granting the huge financial depression sweeping across the continent, it is best to have money than big position and titles. At the present global economic situation, it is best to be more practical with work, as long as it is a decent job with high compensation then it is okay.
Having higher position that don't pay much cannot uplift morale, everyday the cost of living seems increasing and sometimes it is so hard to cope up with daily expenses. Hope employers will realize that the greatest motivator nowadays is money to compensate daily living expenses. when you are having a family to support, higher titles don't matter anymore, complimenting employees with higher position won't please employees. In the company I work with, this is a common issue, some of our middle administrators are being promoted one step higher with their current position but they are not happy because the compensation is still low, their common complain is that it is okay if they are not promoted as long as their salary will be increased.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
13 Apr 08
of course just about everyone would want a better salary but if that is not going to happen keeping up company morale is very important so you have to find other ways to do it and this is one of them.
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
28 Nov 08
Definitely I'll go for a better salary. Yeah, I agree with you, I prefer to have a more meaningful work and work that I'm interested in, instead of a blank job title only. In my company, everyone is having the same title as "Software Engineer", no matter you are a senior or not. Even if I've promoted to senior, but no one will know by looking at my business card. But who cares about that? My salary has been increased and my job functions have been changed. 
@kissie34 (2294)
• Philippines
2 Dec 08
Well, for me I don't care about the given title of my job what is more important for me is the salary that I received.. I don't care whether the name of my job is very ugly or not professional to hear, what is more important is a better salary.. I'm being practical now and besides its just a name and it can be changed.. You can call your job any names that you want but the salary that you're earning cant be change the way we like.. Nowadays, money is very important.. So, I'll choose the better or high salary that better or good title name of my job..
@Darkwing (21583)
•
12 Apr 08
I feel that if you're upgraded in title, then your salary should be upgraded as well. It means nothing to me to have my job title changed, and I don't think it would keep me happy. I'd probably leave the company, and go find a better-paid job! 
Brightest Blessings.
Brightest Blessings.
@checapricorn (16061)
• United States
12 Apr 08
I will choose the first option, a better salary. Practicality reason, What will i do to the title If I can't afford to support all what I need and what I want in my life. Thats why in my country, a lot of professional with a very respected professions and titles give up their career and start looking for a greener pasture, even if they will end up working anything very far from what qualifications they have acquired! It is because of financial problem, they want something good for their family and it wont happen if they will not start looking for job abroad! Very sad reality but its happening indeed!
@crackhead (1826)
• India
12 Apr 08
There is choice or option which an employee can choose, Hike in the salary or Change in the designation. Most of them get lured to the Position they are going to work in. Yes thats how human tendancy is we often complain about our next superior so we prefer to get into that position and start commanding the others who were our colegues. On the other hand we will have to forfeit the hike in the salary. A company never gives promotion to an employee after the salary hike atleast for the next 6 months to make sure that they work in tha position without too much hike in the salary.
@DESMASTER2007 (1130)
• United States
12 Apr 08
I'm sorry I would rather just have the salary over the job title. Yes the job title thing does sound good, but wouldn't you rather have a top dollar salary. I know that I would, see I think a lot of people like to be apart of something because it just sounds good. But if anything just make sure you are doing things for the right motive.
@jenni7202 (1598)
• United States
13 Apr 08
Yes, these companies are smart, in the respect that they give their employees more respectable names for their mediocre tasks at work. I personally would prefer a higher salary. I don't care whether I am considered an overnight stocker, or a Executive Merchandise Replenisher. I want the money that could help me to pay the bills that I have. Some fancy shmancy words aren't going to make me feel any better about my position, but a pay raise would.
@jesbellaine (4139)
• Philippines
12 Apr 08
I love to have a better job title but I prefer to have a better salary than a title, really! I can't help my family if I don't have enough money to keep my siblings in college or school so I guess I would go to "Better Salary". Atleast I get to help my family as well as I get to buy the stuff that I want and needed.
Thank you for the information! Cheers!
@smints8985 (1594)
• United States
12 Apr 08
That is so right!
I wouldn't mind having a job title that is less fancy as long as I am being compensated well.
What am I going to do with a fancy title when in fact I am not even making more than I did with a less fancy title.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
12 Apr 08
I would go for a better salary. My brother worked as a janitor, they renamed his job sanitary engineer, but he still cleaned toilets, and cleaned office buildings. If they want to give a fancy title, they should at least up the salary. I mean next time they will want to give a University degree for digging ditches. Do they think all of us are idiots?
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
12 Apr 08
a lot of the hotels near me do this.some of the re-designated titles are ridiculous.a title really doesn't mean a thing to me.appreciate me by giving me a raise,i say.
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
12 Apr 08
Yes it is clever to give a more professional job title, but I guess it still means the same job at the end of the day! I too would prefer the higher salary.
@duranv (516)
• Honduras
12 Apr 08
A better salary beats a job title any day. Everybody works for a living, at least everybody I know, and the more you make the better you can live.
But I guess there are also people who will rather have a nice title just for showing off. As for me if I get more money I will do about any type of job, as long as it's not dangerous. Or on the other hand, like you say I will take a job if it is something I relate to, and I like doing, and not worry too much about the salary. But I really don't care for a title.
