Looking For Advice: My Employer Has Put Me Between a Rock and a Hard Place

[Cotillion]

First, a bit of background info: I've been working for my current employer for around 2 1/2 years now. When I started I was in an entry level help desk position, and the company was relatively small and privately owned. About a year ago the company was purchased by a larger corporation, but all of the staff in the office remained the same. Essentially the former owner became the GM for our location. At the same time the company was acquired I was promoted and moved to a new department.

Now to the issue at hand: when our company was absorbed everyone was entered into a new HR system that tracks our job position, which our salary is based off of. For the past year my job position has not changed from my old position, and my salary has not been modified. I have contacted our new parent company's HR department twice, and was directed to speak with my manager to have them complete the required paperwork. The first time I made the request I was told that such changes were already in the works by the GM, and I just needed to wait for them to send the papers to HR. The second time I was told "we'll look into it". As a side note, my manager from my former department must submit the paperwork; my current manager cannot do this.

This past ThursdayI'd had enough waiting and spoke to my previous manager and asked if they had submitted the forms. I was taken aside and told the following: My current department doesn't have enough openings to officially have me "on the books" with HR (based on earnings), so they had kept me in the old department to "save my job". I was then told that I essentially needed to stop talking to HR, as every time I did questions were asked of the GM as to why this issue with my job position was still around. I was also told that if HR/Head Office became aware of what was happening my job might "disappear" (ie. I'd be canned). I made it clear that I wasn't enthusiastic about the situation, and that my biggest concern was compensation (as I did not receive any sort of raise when I changed jobs), and that I definitely wasn't being paid the appropriate salary. I was told that the GM would look into it.

Friday my current manager asked me to step into his office, and asked my opinion on the situation. I replied that the entire thing was sketchy and really had me worried; not only was I not being compensated appropriately, but I was being told that if I rock the boat I'd lose my job (in a subtle way). He explained that he'd had his hands tied by the GM, and was instructed to not tell me what was really going on. He was also told to reprimand me after I contacted HR for a second time, but he refused as I had done nothing wrong. I reiterated my concerns about my salary, and he said that he's fighting with the GM and other managers for me.

So, given all of that, what the heck can I do? I suspect the threat about my job vanishing is just to discourage me from contacting HR again and explaining what's going on, but I can't be sure. It's unfortunate that his is happening as I love my job, and I actually like the company I now work for. The issue is just some management at my location that like to run the company as though it's still their own.

I apologize if this isn't the right place to ask this sort of question, but if anyone has some advice I'd welcome it.

Thanks!

[world25]

Find another job and resign.

[damnos]

The fact that you actually like your job and the company kinda make it hard - otherwise the quickest advice is to start looking.
Seems like your current manager is a good boss to - which is another reason to stay since having a supportive supervisor is important.

However, I think it wouldn't hurt to start looking on the side, at least get to see what else is out there in the market.
You might like where you work and your job - doesn't mean another job / company out there can't be better.

If this is the way your upper management want to operate - you will only encounter more problems in the future.

[Cress]

Get ready to take off and do so as soon as you can. In the meantime, you should lawyer up and give them a taste of hell.I cannot possibly believe that an employer would try something so sketchy... If you play your cards right, you should be able to get a nice payday once this is resolved.
what they are doing is illegal.
Oh by the way, you did get a signed letter confirming your promotion when you got promoted, right?

[damnos]

Get ready to take off and do so as soon as you can. In the meantime,toi should lawyer up and give them a taste of hell.I cannot possibly believe that an employer would try something so sketchy... If you play your cards right, toi should be able to get a nice payday once this is resolved.
what they are doing is illegal.
Oh by the way, you did get a signed letter confirming your promotion when you got promoted, right?

The company technically has not done any wrong thing
Geez - why do people so happy to jump quickly on the "lawyer up and get payday" quick fix thinking everything is so easy to just sue and get quick money.

For the past year my job position has not changed from my old position, and my salary has not been modified.

[Syne]

I wouldn't resign because that means that the GM wins. Clearly he's just trying to save a few bucks by nickling and diming salaries. It seems that you rarely see your GM, so your best bet is to work as hard as ever, and just maintain your good reputation while forcing their hand. Don't let the issue go, but don't give them any other reason to fire you.

Lord hates a coward. It's time to step up.

[Cotillion]

Oh by the way, you did get a signed letter confirming your promotion when you got promoted, right?

Unfortunately I didn't get anything beyond a company-wide email (as I was promoted during the acquisition many processes weren't followed). I plan on approaching my current manager to get something signed next week to cover my butt. As it stands they could revert my promotion and I'd have nothing to fall back on.

My current plan for the future is to give them three weeks before I press them on the issue again.

[deals]

The fact that you actually like your job and the company kinda make it hard - otherwise the quickest advice is to start looking.
Seems like your current manager is a good boss to - which is another reason to stay since having a supportive supervisor is important.

Doesn't matter, OP is just a number and is being taken advantage of. OP should look for another job.

[jacobe]

The whole ordeal does sound sketchy. With these things happening right now, do you see a good future with this company? If they are capable of doing in this now and you choose to play along, who knows what else can come later on down the line.

[redgrandam]

I'd ride it out, but start looking in the mean time. You may love working there, but it sounds like they don't 'love' you back the same way. They should appreciate a good employee that loves their job. Maybe things will improve, especially if your immediate boss is good, as that's huge..

If you come across something as good or better than you have now I'd consider jumping to it asap.

Also, if they are thinking of reprimanding you for talking to HR??? that's absurd in itself.

[maddydo]

so what is your new position and what is your old position?
how much more work is the new position?
why do you think you deserve a raise just because your company was bought off by a larger company?
if you're too unhappy, start looking for a new job !!

[Cress]

The company technically has not done any wrong thing
Geez - why do people so happy to jump quickly on the "lawyer up and get payday" quick fix thinking everything is so easy to just sue and get quick money.

Because we are all just numbers for companies until two things happen:
1. Your direct supervisor starts caring for you (as in noticing your good work and mentoring you etc...) and giving a ***** about your career.
2. Your direct supervisor actually has enough foothold to make things happen.

If either of these is true, better keep looking...

Unfortunately I didn't get anything beyond a company-wide email (as I was promoted during the acquisition many processes weren't followed). I plan on approaching my current manager to get something signed next week to cover my butt. As it stands they could revert my promotion and I'd have nothing to fall back on.

My current plan for the future is to give them three weeks before I press them on the issue again.

Good plan.

[Piro21]

Find another job and resign.

This. Why deal with this ***** when your manager is powerless, the new company is uncaring, and you're basically being fed the 'be lucky you even have a job' line?

[sleepyguy]

Make sure you have backup of everything... I mean everything... on paper. Yes print out the emails you sent, their responses etc. If they have wrongful dismissal you can take them to court and get a good sum if you have been there awhile. Most of the time they don't want to bother and settle.

[maddydo]

and dont feel too bad, this happens to a lot of people...sometimes it's just pure luck and you kick yourself because you didn't do this, didn't do that...

since you're training him and he's a friend...ask him how he got the 60K...did he just simply ask for it?