Changing work only for a bigger salary
By RamRes
@RamRes (1723)
Argentina
May 12, 2011 8:28pm CST
This is the situation that many at my workplace are experiencing. I work on a programming firm, that in the last years has been growing a lot, gaining clients and hiring even more employees than ever in its history. All that's very good.
But always there is a "but". Recently a good number of my co-workers left or intent to leave the work. When talking to each one of them about why, the answer always comes to a common point, low salary. Even some with a lot of years of experience there are just thinking of leaving for another work that has similar characteristics, but a much greater payment.
We there are doing the math and come to the very same conclusion. Here the average salary of a somewhat experienced programmer is around $6000 monthly. In my work, only the bosses of different departments earn more than $5000, and that considering they are a lot more older there and higher hierarchy, and not to speak of the newbies earning a mere $2000 in the best cases. So, switching to any other similar firm simply earns us $1500/$2000 more monthly each month, and that considering we would have zero experience there.
The salary policy there is clear and was always lower to the average, but seeing too many people quitting just because of that has never happened and may comprise the future developments of the company. And I really can't blame anyone because it's quite understandable that everyone is doing that. What I don't understand is what are the bosses thinking when seeing the situation.
Has someone a similar experience? I would like to ear some other people in the same situation.
6 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
18 May 11
Nowadays, a lot of people change work for a bigger salary. I guess, it's understandable if you have a family to feed and send to school. Or you are the breadwinner. You have to have a big salary so that aside from fulfilling the needs of the family, you must also have money for some luxuries in life.
But i still go for half-half satisfaction. A work that i am comfortable with and with moderate pay is already okay for me.
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
18 May 11
Yes it depends basically on how much money do you need. With childs, the situation changes as you must always prioritize their needs, and based on your salary and that of your partner you may or may not want to switch.
My own policy is to keep the most stable job as long as the salary is enough for my living. Extra pay is good, but I prefer a good environment too.
I am glad you liked my response.
@lou_is (665)
• India
17 May 11
Friend, it all depends on the person's situation. Some times few people are looking out for the bigger salaries compare to the present one and for that reason they will leave the present one and join the other company which pays more. But there are few people who are not looking for money but they look for job satisfaction which makes them to feel better at work and there should not be more tension at work location. And even looking for good organisation to make their future better and safe.
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
18 May 11
Yes, OK, I agree. It greatly depends on each one preferences and current situations and pretensions. It just is surprising me how many people are trying to change jobs right now. The salaries have been always lower to the average here in my job, but with a good climate. And yet many people choses the biggest paycheck. But again, I can't blame them and I understand their position.
Not for me, I prefer the my current stable work as long as it pays enough to live.
@faisai (1138)
• Hong Kong
25 May 11
I've got to say that this situation is happening right here. It is pretty well known that the salary in my place is at best average to the market and many are obviously receiving a lower than average. Recently there is a huge jump of salary in the market and that makes the difference even bigger. I have heard that people here are not that happy with the situation and I am quite certain that some are considering leaving.
Salary of course isn't the only thing that keeps us in the position where we are but it definitely makes a difference. Even if we choose to stay, the morale will be low as there is less motivation to work hard.
@atprudente6 (673)
• Philippines
25 May 11
With today's economy situation (be on whichever country you are living), it is natural for employee to seek higher salary so that they could still cope up with the changes in the economy.
As for you question about that are the thoughts of the higher management about this, (with the benefit of the doubt) they also do their part so that employees could still stay with the family. But for some reasons, they could not afford increasing the salary of the employees. Instead when some leaves they're company, they would just hire new employee that would agree to the salary they are currently offering.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
13 May 11
In the earlier years the salary received by the people was known to colleagues because all of them will come and sign in Salary Register. Nowadays salaries are credited to bank accounts. I understand nowadays salaries differ for the same position depending on the person concerned. If the employee feels good about himself and demands more he is paid more. This trend has come to India also in freelancing job. Some person is paid Rs.2000 per day and another is paid Rs.3000 per day by the same institute for the same classes. In USA I think the salary differs considerably. Yes one gets $ 80k and for the same position and responsibilities another person draws $150 k.
Under these circumstances if you get a higher salary it is better to quit and go. The difference u expect may differ from person to person. One may jump for $2000 increase and another would require an increase of $ 10000.
Bosses are familiar with this trend. They know the company will run in the absence of any person. However the employee has to be made to feel he is important and that is what the bosses in USA do. They appreciate you and give you sometime 24 hours work together. People also enjoy and do it.
Changing jobs is the order of the day and companies also vie for attracting talents.
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
14 May 11
Don't know USA and India, but I guess there would be many cases similar to mine. Every employer has his own policies and all of them want to pay the lowest possible salary, but often they also want to preserve the best employees by giving them a good pay similar to the competence. I personally don't want to leave, even when the pay is for sure higher, as I like my current job and already has been there 3 years. Unless my current pay is not enough for my living, I will stay, but earning offers.
I must disagree with your last sentence. That company don't seem to be trying to attract talents. Offering such lower salaries just make everyone think twice about leaving, even the most talented and older ones may decide to switch. So, they are may be attracting them, but not doing anything to make them stay.
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
14 May 11
I'm used to think somewhat like you. My environment is very peaceful and have a great degree of freedom to work, as long as we carry out the job. That's my main reason to remain there, as long as the salary is good enough to have a good living, I'm not planning to leave.
But really, I can't blame anyone that does so. Having a 50% more salary for doing the same job in most places will be enough to go for that. And until most people leave (which is starting), the bosses have no plan on giving fair payments.
