More pay for work, or more work for pay?

[azskyman]

Have been mulling over an employee review on my desk for about 5 days, and as frequently happens, the employee suggests in her portion of the form that she would be willing, able, and even enthusiastic about doing more work for our company if she were just paid XXX dollars more.

The reverse of the argument I often must defend as a manager is that I will go out of my way to help a person grow professionally and financially in their position if they first demonstrate their abilities, their loyalty, their initiative, and their enthusiasm without the reward already in hand.

Growing over the years in several different work environments I remember feeling "taken advantage of" by employers who hung the carrot out in front of me...but never let me reach it. That, in fact, is why I am in Arizona, not Illinois any longer.

Still...I've been a manager now since 1979...and I find that the employees most loyal and passionate about their jobs step up to the plate without promise of more money first...and then find their reward handed over with a smile and a pat on the back.

So in your own experience, work environment, and philosophy, is it...

Management is so damn selfish...so pay me first, and then I'll rise to the occasion and do my best or...
Give me a green light to show you what I can do, and then I'll expect fair compensation, not loose lipservice, from management as my reward.

Just curious what your position/experience might have been.

azskyman

[streetsoldier]

I've always done whatever the job demanded, better, faster and more efficiently than most, yet I felt embarrassed when promotions, raises or other "perks" came my way.

I also found early on, that I do not function well under close supervision or as a "team player" (read: "old boy networking", sucking up, etc.), and best when given a specific task or arena within which to work, and left to my own devices and timetable to get it done.

Pay has never been the determining factor...ex opere opero, "the work having been worked" well, is reward enough. Without acclamation, thank you very much.

[chadtm80]

Give me a green light to show you what I can do, and then I'll expect fair compensation, not loose lipservice, from management as my reward.

[Stephanie]

I've always done whatever the job demanded, better, faster and more efficiently than most, yet I felt embarrassed when promotions, raises or other "perks" came my way.

I also found early on, that I do not function well under close supervision or as a "team player" (read: "old boy networking", sucking up, etc.), and best when given a specific task or arena within which to work, and left to my own devices and timetable to get it done.

Pay has never been the determining factor...ex opere opero, "the work having been worked" well, is reward enough. Without acclamation, thank you very much.

I too am the same way Bill - though I appreciate the accolades, I do feel uncomfortable.

I was a manager for about 6 years in total - I don't plan on doing it again. I felt more aggravation from "the babysitting" that I felt like I had to do than the gratification I received from someone going the extra mile. I truly believe that there are people that are out there that want to do a good job and grow as long as they are paid fairly and are respected. However, I can see the other side's position as well. It all depends on the company - not necessarily the manager. Has the company constantly taken away various benefits? Do they preach responsibility for each department's budget and accountability but it's mostly lipservice? Are there definately "favorites" in the company that seem to wear teflon? Are there certain departments and or people that the work always seems to be dumped on because the people that should be handling it are incompetent? Etc., etc....

I think I've been working for the casinos too long...

I think in your case, that person should be rewarded if he/she goes the extra mile on their own. If they don't they get what everyone else gets. However, if the position constantly gets more and more responsibilities dumped on them with nothing else taken away, then I believe that the pay scale should be adjusted (easier said than done though!).

[mf_dolphin]

I follow into the old school here too! Let me show what I can do and then I trust my employer to reward the work I do. A motivated employee will always perform that way. As a supervsor / manager for years I always enjoy rewarding people who performed at a high level. Make my job much easier. It floors me when people say "Pay me more and I'll work harded!" It just doesn't work that way! I usually give them a chance to work harder for someone else

[streetsoldier]

Let me further elaborate....after all my military/police service, I entered college to follow a career in art as a designer-illustrator...when out in the mix, rather than have some "art director" or "account executive" breathing down my neck (plus losing control of all my work..anyone who works in an ad agency finds out that the AGENCY "owns" their work), I decided my best shot was as a free-lancer...the only people I answered to were myself and the client directly.

[Stephanie]

Fortunately, I finally have found a manager and another boss who I admire and respect very much. That goes a long way towards motivating an employee and having them go the extra mile, whether they like the company they work for or not. I'm sure that there is no question that Steve is well respected.

[coriolis]

Sounds like you've got a whiner on your hands. It's a no-win situation for the manager. If you tell him/her to prove him/herself first, they could buck up for a period and then backslide. I think that that person's work to date is an indication of what they will do even after the raise. Don't acquiesce because if you give in this time, it will be a matter of time until the next demand. Insist on equal treatment and stress that performance is rewarded appropriately. Don't give in to a deal. Let them take the iniative and prove themself.

[azskyman]

I've been consistent....I never have given in to those who would back me into a corner. They know that from work history, and they rarely give it a try.

Still, it is helpful to read the responses...reflective too.

Thanks for the experience!

[JQ Public]

Sometimes i think some people are payed too much. And sometimes people want to get payed a whole lot by doing the least amount of work. For the most part people are hard working, but there are more and more that want to get a high wage but do a minimal amt of work.