Navigating Increment Frustration and Office Politics: Balancing Qualifications and Experience

Dear All,

I have been working in a manufacturing company for the past year, and now the increment has been decided. However, my increment is zero because of my boss. I hold an M.B.A., D.L.L., and I am currently pursuing my L.L.B. (2nd Year). On the other hand, my boss has a qualification of 12th grade and no prior experience in HR. He joined six months after I did and lacks knowledge of even basic HR terms like P.F. I am handling all HR functions, but due to internal politics, my increment has been affected.

I am left wondering, what can I do? Is our hard work not important? Are our qualifications not valued? Why was I not taught about office politics during my education? My teachers emphasized hard work, which I am capable of, but what is the true importance of it? It is disheartening to see my boss earning a salary three times greater than mine, with a 35% increment while mine remains at zero. Senior colleagues, please enlighten me, why is everything going wrong for me?

Regards,
Vineet

Hello Vineet Deshmukh,

I understand your situation and feelings.

But first and foremost, please try to develop your psyche to ensure that your response mechanism is not decided by how others behave or act (in this case, your boss). I know this is easier said than done, but if you really want to have 'peace of mind' regardless of the situation you are in, this is the only way. However, please note that this doesn't mean you should take such situations lying down. How you respond has to be different from how you feel.

Another thing to note is: just because you met such a boss doesn't mean all bosses are that way or that the core values taught to you by your teachers are wrong or don't fit into practical life. They do, and despite such temporary situations, it's those core values that will take you a long way in your career, in the long term.

Now coming to the situation at hand, there seems to be only one option for you. Just change your job where your work will be better recognized. Please note that the focus is on your work, not your qualifications. Try to understand that qualifications give you only the entry eligibility, not experience, which is gained through the work you do. Unless you see a chance of your boss leaving soon, but going by the salary he is getting, I doubt it since he may not get such a job anywhere else.

All the Best.

Regards,

TS

TS has succinctly put it rightly.

Do not compare the increments of others. To receive an increment, you must perform consistently. If you are not receiving the due increment, something is wrong with you, which you have to introspect.

Pon

First, we should not worry about others' salary or personal matters. We need to consider what is on our plate. Firstly, be thankful that you have a job; there are many MBAs who are still unemployed. So, dear, just think that today is a good time and that your good time will come next. Ignore all differences, carry on with your good life, and keep up the good work.

Thanks,