My worth measured in dollars and cents

You know how sometimes you look at your paycheck, shakes your head, and think to yourself that you deserve MUCH more than what is written there?

I feel that all the time.

And no, don't be mistaken, I'm not walking with my head in the clouds. I say that simply because looking at how low my current pay is, there's a large gap between what I am worth and what I am being paid for to do my job.

I do not think I am mercenary, actually I do not really sit up straight at the mere mention of money. For me, it's the monthly reminder that I am getting ripped that irks me most. I want a larger paycheck because I think it is a measure of how much a company treasures an employee, and I need to see it physically that I am an asset to the company.

No, the verbal assurances and compliments from my boss no longer works for me.

For a while, it feels great to be recognised, especially in front of the rest of the colleagues, but after too many rounds of what I now deem as perfunctory talk, I think I appreciate tangible rewards better.

Unfortunately for the scenario, I need to quote a cliche - talk is cheap.

It would not cost my boss a single cent to pay me compliments, even if it came straight from his heart. Look, I dispense praises regularly too, and I am just as broke to begin with! For me to know for sure that I am highly regarded in the company, I want it to be measured in cash. Every single dollar more that my boss awards me, he is earning a dollar lesser. His willingness to part with his money will be the best indication of how much the company needs me.

Kind words are much appreciated, but I need more assurance than that. Bosses, pay your employees what they are worth! Don't wait till the day they walk out on you before you realise the folly. If initially you are willing to beat this employee's ex-salary by XX% to get him/her to join your company, obviously you already recognise his/her potential.

Then why, just months later, you allow the same enthusiatic employee to walk out of your company, into another eager company's arms?


Postnote:
Maybe you think that I am simply making an excuse for the frequent job-hoppers. But comparatively, I FEEL that a job-hopper have more marketability than someone who stays in the job, doing the same jobscope for 10,20 years.

People who are willing to give up what they have currently accomplish in one company, to start afresh in another, gets my respect. The ability to adapt to changes tells a lot.


One more Postnote:
No, I am not quitting my job. Am patiently waiting for the 1 year mark so that I can discuss my renumeration package with my boss. That is 3 months away. (I'd gotten small adjustments in my 3rd and 6th month, but none for now, which is the 9th month. This fact sparked this entry.)