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https://www.blackenterprise.com/raise-amid-inflation-according-to-author-life-coach/
Originally Published Nov. 11, 2022.
The tension in the air these days…is palpable.
Despite what would be considered favorable economic conditions, pricing for consumer goods and services continues to surge, the cost of living is rising sharply, and industries are experiencing unprecedented labor shortages—all while workers are demanding and expecting more from their employers.
As an employee, it can seem overwhelming and unattainable to secure a raise in the midst of it all. Moreover, certain groups are up against the aforementioned challenges and face systemic inequalities when petitioning for increased compensation. A recent study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that Black men earned 76% of what white men earned in the first quarter of 2022, and Black women earned 57 cents for every dollar a white man earned. A report by the National Urban League further found that Black women are paid 38% less than white men and 21% less than white women.
While the data shows improvement in equality progression, there is still (surmountable) work to be done in pay equality. Today’s environment has led workers to be more aggressive and vocal about the value they add to an organization. Equally as important is that organizations recognize the value of experienced workers, which has led some organizations to recruit talent from other organizations. This has enhanced workers’ leverage to ask for and, in many cases, demand higher pay. With preparation, research, and understanding, workers can ask for a raise by presenting facts (not emotions).
Consider these steps when preparing to ask for a raise:
Understand what you bring to the table
When you first joined the organization, you had a particular set of skills in line with the needs of your current role. From soft skills, such as collaboration and effective communication, to hard skills, like work experience, academic degrees, and professional certificates, you should look at yourself in earnest. Understand how your work throughout the years has contributed directly to your company’s financial success and supported your team and the organization in achieving its overall mission, vision, and values.
Understanding your skill-set is the starting point for evaluating the appropriate approach to asking for a raise. Start your self-evaluation by assessing annual performance reviews from your supervisors and company leadership. Take note of your direct contributions to the company’s profitability and key contributions you have made throughout your employment.
In your area of responsibility, understand where you rank among your peers. Understand whether you are one of the best performers and if you are viewed as a strong contributor and member of the team. Review your responsibilities against those of your colleagues to understand if your responsibilities are redundant in the organization.
Once you have compiled these details, you will have a more accurate view of how you are valued within the organization and a better understanding of how your strengths and performance are aligned with company objectives.
Understand the current state of the company
Knowing the financial state of the company is critical. It is important to know the company’s financial performance over the fiscal year so that you can better ascertain whether the company is in a financial position to provide you with a raise. If the company is struggling financially, leadership may be looking at two components of the business: how to generate revenue (income/sales) and how to reduce controllable expenses. The number-one controllable expense is often payroll, a common reason for company layoffs.
If the company is thriving and the financial performance over the past fiscal year indicates the company is growing, the leaders are focused on what is driving the financial success and who are the people responsible for this financial success; a great opportunity to reiterate and reinforce the value you provide the organization.
Prioritize facts over emotions
Asking for a raise should be about facts, not emotions. Facts do not have to be proven; facts can be assessed and reviewed. When requesting a raise, especially amid inflation, a key component to keep in mind is to let data drive your decision. Leveraging data eliminates the emotional context.
Leveraging the facts you have assembled, from your performance to that of the company’s in combination with industry research on what workers in your role with similar expertise are being compensated, will help you determine the amount to request.
You will want to request a pay rate that aligns with your position and doesn’t exceed the pay of supervisors and leadership. That would likely inhibit your chances of getting approval for the request and may indicate a lack of institutional and industry knowledge. Be reasonable and logical in your request when asking for a raise.
Consider what else you can get
A raise might not always be feasible. If that were the case, you should be armed with other asks that hold equal value. From a shorter work week, remote options, and relocation, to more paid vacation, personal time, or an increased bonus, there are several alternative ways to be compensated.
Think about what would be most beneficial to you and research alternatives that could impact your day-to-day work. Be prepared to address any skepticism and to address the benefit to you and the company. It’s always good to come with options in hand.
Thoughtfully engage your supervisor and leadership
Get some time on the calendar to speak with your supervisor about a raise. Come prepared to outline your raise request and alternatives, if necessary. Be sure to present the relevant facts on your role, achievements, value, and personal contribution to the bottom line and industry standards. Be prepared to address potential questions and even pushback. Stand in your truth, and know your worth and value. You can decide if and when to bend on your ask. Be prepared for multiple outcomes, including potentially seeking new employment if your appeal is not considered, settling for an alternative means of compensation, or the best outcome, getting the raise you requested, and continuing to grow and thrive at your organization.
Either way, you will never know what could be if you do not ask.
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Many villains are at play in The Boys season four. But episode six solidified one fact: Sister Sage and Homelander are one hell of an evil duo. Homelander continues to distance himself further from any shreds of humanity still in his superpowered body as he works to put supes and billionaires in complete power. He is also strong-arming Victoria Neuman into forcing billionaires to commit treason and create a 25th Amendment situation (i.e. if the President dies, the VP becomes President). This would create a world where supes rule without oversight. But, until now, we weren’t quite sure why Sister Sage was so invested in helping Homelander advance his plans.
Sister Sage’s Family Tragedy Led to Her Hate all Humans
Sage, Homelander, and Victoria Neuman all attend Tek Knight’s alt-right shindig at his estate. While he’s off in the Tek Cave being a wild dude, Sage and Victoria have a conversation. Sage reveals her grandmother was diagnosed with Stage 3 leukemia. She said the doctors didn’t care to save “some old ex-Black Panther,” so Sage came up with a cure. She gave the research to them and they brushed her off. Her grandmother later died in pain.
Sage says she could cure cancer, reverse global warming, and more, but she believes there is no point because humans are animals. She uses this story to appeal to Victoria, saying they both understand living in a world where they are ignored. Sage encourages her to take power by getting one hand in the enemies’ pockets while slitting their throat with the other. Oof.
If I were a billionaire and a group of supes—including one with the power to laser my head off and another that can pop my skull—asked me to be part of their coup plans, I’d have to consider it. The billionaires push back on a few very valid issues (how to handle the military, stock markets, etc.) but Victoria uses her cunning to sway them in her favor. (Sister Sage was dealing with temporary brain damage courtesy of MM shooting her in the head.) They all seem in favor of supporting her but it remains to be seen if that holds up.
Sage and Homelander Want to Create Internment Camps for Humans (and Anti-Supe Folks)
In this episode, we also discover Sage and Homelander were working with Tek Knight to create internment camps. Knight’s ancestors owned a large portion of the prison industrial complex, which explains why he is so rich now. He agrees to partner with Sage and Homelander to use those spaces to hold humans as supes take over the world. It’s a bleak plan that sets up the possibility for genocidal activity. The show doesn’t make it clear how much Victoria knows about this plan, but she only cares about herself and her daughter, who is now a supe. I am sure she would be down to do something so vile.
With Tek Knight dead, Victoria getting billionaires into her pocket, and Sage’s hatred of white men possibly leading to her double crossing Homelander, The Boys is spiraling as season four begins to come to a close.
The post Homelander and Sister Sage’s Supe Plans Are Darker Than We Imagined on THE BOYS appeared first on Nerdist.
July 24 – 28 Booth #2743
Factory Entertainment will have 7 Convention Exclusive Premiere products at this years Comic-Con. They will be made available on the website FactoryEnt.com and available in the booth, while stock lasts.
Here are the exclusives, more to be added as they are announced!
Batman Returns Batarang Scaled Prop Replica
$45.00
A high quality, officially licensed scaled prop replica of the Batarang from Batman Returns (1992).
This stunning 6-inch heavy duty scaled prop replica is cast in solid metal, comes in collector packaging and features a display stand.
Star Trek | The Next Generation Cricket Phaser Bottle Opener
$22.00
Whether you’re home or on an away mission, this opener is set to stun any bottle within range! Careful, too many direct shots have been known to cause moments of unconsciousness in most humanoids!
This heavy duty bottle opener is cast in solid metal and is based on the Cricket Phaser from Star Trek | The Next Generation.
Back To The Future | Plutonium Case Scaled Prop Replica
$60.00
“Doc, you don’t just walk into a store and buy plutonium!” – Marty McFly
A high quality, officially licensed scaled prop replica of the Plutonium Case as seen in Back To The Future.
This amazing 3.5-inch tall by 3-inch wide scaled prop replica is cast out of solid metal and comes in collector packaging. It can be displayed both open and closed.
Peacemaker | Helmet Bottle Opener
$22.00
“Easy, Inspector Gadget. A little drink never hurt nobody.” – Peacemaker
After a violent day of peacekeeping, every hero deserves a frosty beverage. And, what better way to crack open a cold one than with our Peacemaker Helmet Bottle Opener?
This heavy-duty, all metal bottle opener easily opens bottles and features strong magnets allowing you to display and store this enduring symbol of patriotism on the fridge.
If you cherish peace with all of your heart, you’ll need this Peacemaker Bottle Opener.
House Of The Dragon | The Crown Of King Viserys Targaryen Scaled Prop Replica
$60.00
“The crown cannot stand strong if the house of the dragon remains divided.” – King Viserys Targaryen
As prominently worn by King Viserys Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen in the hit HBO series House Of The Dragon, this latest entry in Factory Entertainment’s scaled replica line features fine details from the original prop.
Cast in solid metal, it measures 3.75-inches deep by 3-inches wide and comes with an acrylic display base in collector packaging.
The post Factory Entertainment SDCC24 Exclusives! appeared first on The Nerd Element.