However, yet another person was recently made redundant and I was asked to cover their role as well. My workload has now increased massively, yet I am still getting the same pay. When I suggested that I deserve some additional commission, the request was greeted as though I had threatened to kill someone. Is it fair that I should ask for more money now that I am doing a great deal more work?
A A year ago, I went to my local electrical shop and asked if someone could sell me a food processor. The assistant said: "Kenwood", so I said: "Well, could you get him for me?"
However, my wife went to the electrical shop last week and it's a different story - even on the retail park there are fewer staff doing more jobs. Unfortunately, trying to buy a TV and asking to see what Philips' 14-incher looks like and if it's possible to mount it against a bedroom wall did not get quite the reply she was expecting.
Unfortunately, most companies are relying on fewer staff doing more jobs, but they are expecting no decrease in the standard of work. Is this fair? Well, if you are doing more than one job, you are fortunate that you still have a job, unlike your colleague who you probably replaced.
And is this possible? Well, I hate to use Pareto's law but it does apply to most things in life. Let's face it, 80% of our work is probably done in 20% of the working day and if we worked smarter, we could probably do more.
Should you be paid more? Of course, but right now that's unlikely. Think of the additional workload as invaluable experience that will enhance your CV and don't push for more commission.
Instead, use this additional workload as a reason for pushing up your basic salary. Even a small increase in your basic salary will be worth more in the long term than a threefold increase in commission for one year.
Not only will the effects of this last throughout your career, but it will also be positive when you decide to move on to another company.
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