Pay Increase

[juanjune]

What is the name of your state? California

I have been with my company for over 3 years now. I started in 2000. I'm due for an annual review this month. I didn't receive a pay increase the first year I was with the company. I called Human Resources and spoke to someone about it. I asked him is it correct that we get a raise once a year. He replied that it was correct. When I asked could he give me that raise on top of this year's. He said that there was no way to go back a year.

I read the employee handbook (revised in 2002)and I even told my current boss about this. She called HR and they replied that at the time I was hired, they didn't have that policy of giving annual raises. That is not true because everyone that I have spoken to did receive a raise each year they have been with the company. So why won't they give me mine? I called HR and asked them to send me an employee handbook from the year 2000 and 2001. The woman I spoke to replied that she has to look to see if there are any lying around. What else do you suggest I should do?

 

[enjay]

They don't have to give you a raise if they choose not to. It isn't an entitlement.

 

[cbg]

Unless your handbook is written in such a way as to create a contract (which is remotely possible but very unlikely) they do not ever have to give anyone a raise, unless you are working at minimum wage and minimum wage is raised by either state or Federal law. If they are not willing to give you a retroactive raise, I suggest you quit bugging them about it because the law is not on your side.

The only way it would be illegal for you not to get a raise when everyone else did would be if you were singled out BECAUSE OF your race, religion, national origin, gender, age 40+, disability or pregnancy. (In your state you may also add to that list political affiliation, sexual orientation and marital status).