Like it or not, things can sometimes get messy at work, despite our best efforts. We can get involved in conflicts with our bosses and co-workers over working conditions and pay. Sometimes these problems can drag on for weeks and months, leaving you wondering whether they’ll ever be resolved. What’s worse, when you’re in conflict at work, it often feels like you don’t have many choices.
The good news, however, is that there are paths open to you. The first is just to accept what has happened and learn to live it. Second, you can start looking for another job. And third, you can approach your boss directly.
Usually, the best way to deal with a problem is to talk it through with management first before you move on looking for pastures green. Here are some common problems you might encounter at work and how to deal with them.
You Got Passed Over For Promotion
Despite the fact that you’ve been working at the same firm for ten years and you know how the company works inside out, you’ve been passed over for promotion. For whatever reason, the company has decided to hire somebody from another firm who doesn’t have anything like the depth of knowledge about the business that you do.
The first thing to do is try to find out why you weren’t chosen for the role according to fastcompany.com. It could be because you simply lack the skills for the job, but knowing exactly why is important. If you know why you were passed over, you can make changes to ensure that the next time a promotion becomes available you are a more compelling candidate.
You’re Getting Paid A Pittance
Getting a measly two percent bump in your pay after a hard year’s work can be soul-destroying. All that effort for so little reward.
Instead of just accepting it, it’s usually worth having a chat with your boss about why the rise is so small. To put yourself in a better negotiating position, put together a portfolio of all the work you’ve done during the year that proves your value to the company. Create a detailed itinerary of all the money you’ve made the firm, whether that’s through winning new business or saving on costs, and then use this to suggest a figure you think you should be paid.
You’re Working Long Hours, But Not Getting Paid
According to elliswhittam.com, companies have to follow Employment Law. But, unfortunately, not all businesses do. One common issue has to do with working overtime. The law as it stands says that employees don’t have to work longer hours than stated on their contract. Yet many employers have compulsory overtime which extends the working week well beyond that which the worker signed up for. In these situations, companies could be breaking the law.
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As a result, it’s a good idea to check just how many hours you’re working and whether you’re receiving at least the minimum wage for them on average. If you’re not, you might want to bring this up with your employer. Point out that you are working more than your contracted hours and you’d like to be compensated for the additional overtime.
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