What to Do If You are Underpaid and Undervalued at Work

If you work hard for little reward and struggle to pay your bills on schedule, you might lose passion and motivation for your job. Despite being eager to be a reliable, hardworking employee, a low salary and a lack of acknowledgment could drain morale and cause you to experience zero job satisfaction. Yet, you shouldn’t allow these circumstances to affect your happiness or future. Read the following advice on what to do if you are underpaid and undervalued at work.

Learn About Workers’ Rights

It is possible you are genuinely being underpaid at work. You might not realize it, but every employee in the US has a legal right to minimum wage.

Also, you could be entitled to overtime, meal or rest periods, and even pay for putting on your uniform, waiting for assignments, and embarking on security screening.

Learn more about your state’s wage and overtime laws to protect your income. For instance, according to Colorado overtime laws, non-exempt employees should legally get one and a half times their standard pay rate if they have worked more than 40 hours in a workweek.

Renegotiate a New Salary

If you are working many hours for little pay, it might be time to renegotiate a new salary with your boss. Before you request a meeting, research the average annual income for your specific position in the industry and at your location.

A little research could help you identify your worth, and you could use these facts to haggle for a better salary. Even if an employer doesn’t agree to the initial sum, they might be more likely to increase their income to retain their talent and skills.

A pay raise will not only protect your finances, but it could boost your morale and make you feel happier in the role. The worst an employer can say is no.

If your boss rejects your request for a pay raise, don’t close the door on the conversation. Instead, make a note of your various contributions to the business over the next few months and then request another conversation. If they still don’t change their minds, consider looking elsewhere for somewhere that will.

Ask for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment

If your income hasn’t increased with inflation, consider requesting a cost-of-living adjustment with your employer.

Many organizations automatically raise salaries to match the cost of living, but some will not, and you might need to request a pay bump to improve your financial security. Every penny matters, especially during economic uncertainty, which is why you must ask your employer for a general raise to pay your bills with ease.

Ask for a Bigger Raise Soon

If an employer didn’t bat an eyelid at your pay raise request and was happy to give you the exact amount you asked to receive, it’s a sign you’re underpaid. Unless your boss has a heart of gold, they might have been more than happy to appease you with a small raise instead of paying you the average rate for the position.

If you suspect this is the case, don’t hesitate to ask for another raise in three to six months, as they might be happy to oblige to avoid losing you altogether.

Request to Receive the Same Salary as Others

If you discover one or more employees at the same level and position as you are earning more money, you must not hesitate to ask your employer for a raise. If you work just as hard as your colleagues each day, you have a right to get the right compensation for your efforts. Also, learn more about your rights regarding workplace discrimination, which commonly happens to women, people with a disability, a person of color, or immigrants.

Find a New Job

If an employer refuses your request for a pay raise, you must not settle for a low income and a lack of fulfillment in your career. Instead, you might have no other option but to seek employment at a more rewarding business, which could boost your earning potential and make you feel excited to go to work each morning.

Your current employer might not value your hard work and skills, but another boss will. Don’t allow loyalty or a lack of experience to hold you back in life. Find a new job that will help you achieve your financial and career goals.

Improve Your Industry Qualifications

If you’re worried your current career has financial limits that might impact your personal goals, it might be worthwhile expanding your skills to secure a larger salary. Enrol in a degree program to improve your industry knowledge and enter a senior position at a company.

For example, you could walk into almost any business with an MBA, as many companies will want to hire employees with exceptional business acumen, superb management skills, and a strong vision for the future.

A more attractive resume with many qualifications could help you pick roles in your town or city. Also, it could help you gain automatic respect from management, your colleagues, and subordinates.

Conclusion

As hard as it is to admit, if you feel underpaid and undervalued at work, you probably are.

For this reason, you must familiarize yourself with your legal rights regarding salary to ensure an employer pays you every nickel and dollar you deserve.

In addition to understanding your rights regarding pay, you should routinely ask your boss for a raise to ensure you’re paid your worth and can pay your bills without worry.

Remember to do your homework regarding the average salary for your position and cost-of-living adjustments, as the facts could convince an employer to increase your income.

If your request for a raise is rejected, make it your mission to find a job elsewhere and even gain more qualifications to open the door to many new and rewarding career opportunities.

Never settle for an employer who doesn’t appreciate you and isn’t willing to pay you a rewarding salary for your expertise. It might take a little time, but you’ll soon find a more enjoyable role at a company that values your talent and skills.