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Personal Dilemmas

"Earn and prove worth"
Dear Andrea:

    I work for a small firm where I am the brains for the accounting, payroll and computer. I show other employees how to do things. I have a B.A. while the other employees only have a high school education from others countries. I feel I should receive more benefits and pay than other since I am more qualified. Am I right? I need more than the two weeks vacation I get. How can I request more legally? I know many firms do so after five years. What should my salary be for all I do? I think I'm grossly underpaid at $56,000.

    --Underpaid in South Carolina

Dear Underpaid:

    Let's clear up a few things first. What others are paid has nothing to do with you. You're paid based on the value you bring to the job. So forget about others. What they are paid is their business. Since I don't know you, I have no idea if you're more qualified than anyone else. Besides, it doesn't matter.

    If you want more money and vacation, it's not a question of how to request it legally. You must show you've earned it. Citing the fact that other firms offer more vacation is also irrelevant. Every company has its own policies. If you're going to ask for more, prepare a list of ways you've added value by making your company more efficient and effective.

    Research to find out your worth. If you're an accountant, check out the Institute of Management Accountants to stay up on these issues. Based on what I found, their members' average salary is about $62,300. But these depend on years of experience. Managers earn between $39,000 and $68,000. If that fits you, sounds like you're in the range.

    © by Andrea Kay

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