I love my job but I'm so unappriciated. Ok.. let me give you some background: I'm a CAD Designer for a small to medium size Civil Engineering company. My office (One of 5 of different sizes) has 7 people. Two of them are dating (My Office Manager and one of the engineers... yes this is allowed in my company) I'm one of two CAD Technicians.

The other Technician was hired two months ago. I was shown his letter (e-mail) so I know he was hired for $24 per hour. I only get $16. Now I have been with the company for a year and I trained the new CAD person for a Month. We each have our own projects from start to finish.

So when I was given my yearly raise I got 50 cents. I asked my boss why I wasn't getting more for the Clients love me (Was told this all the time) my work has been used for examples to new people for what to do, and I'm asked by all 5 offices questions about AutoCAD. I finish jobs on time and my plans "look great" and those aren't my words! She said that I'm still showing signs of being distracted. I told her I was ADD (when I was hired for I keep a bottle of Ridalin at work-Its the law).

My Office is in an old Church office, with painted ceilings and beautiful art work... in large room in the front area... thankfully.
In the back area is a big room with 5 desk stations, one which is currently vacent. We don't have walls. 3 of the 4 have cell phones (Yes, I'm the one who doesn't) So at all times the phone rings both office phones and musical interludes from the Cell phones. Meetings are held at one desk or another and two of the people jokingly says things to the others in the office (Sadly I appear to lack humor...) So Kassie the wise has used head phones... but because I have a pleasant voice I'm also told to answer the phone is our secretary is out. I write all my instructions down I make tasks lists... hense I don't let this distraction get to me.

Another distration is my Daughter (!6 with ADD/OCD maybe Asperger) and her school. I'm get about 5 calls a week retaining to her. But if I get distracted I work the time I missed.

However my boss thinks my distraction is not work related! Who is she kidding?! I told her its mostly work stuff but she won't believe me. What can I do??

Bring your boss a written document describing how ADD people can't function with frequent distractions?

If that fails...

Consult a lawyer?

Start shopping the resume.....what a bunch of jerks!

Sounds like your boss has a **** poor excuse to pay you **** poor wages. I wouldn't stand for it. I believe it is called Discrimination......Maybe your boss needs a refresher on the deffinition.:mad: I hate employers that take advantage of any employee because of a dissability.:mad:

Prepare to prepare your resume.

Be careful to know your value in th ereal world, not what you think you are worth, (doesn't matter if they are the saem or different, only Their opinion counts, "they" are payiing.)

Look for other positions. You cannot educate the insistently stupid, even if they are smart about other things.

"Request" "demand" pay based on objective measures, not "impressions." Go on commission if that is what it takes.

Or decide to be happy with what you have.

Good luck.

I would do a resume too, Kassie...and then once you're happy with it -- start networking....Set up contacts....join a list-serve for people in your field, etc. Start putting out the word....anonymously....careful don't let your boss "know" you're looking....

I like careerbuilder.com

Or, after you have information you are willing to actually take as an alternative, in a non-threatening way, let them find out.

Be careful, but first, decide whether you are experiencing a real abuse or the little green monster.

Decide what you want and what risk if any it is worth. Then be happy with your own conclusion.

Ya?

Update:

My boss is the Office manager, we also have a project manager and he and I talked. He then talked to my Boss and they are giving me a dollar raise, they both talked to me and let me know they can't raise me anymore this past year due to a raise cap. But I will be given larger bonuses and a steady raise in June to offset what they think I should be getting... I think they were afraid I would leave! :) So I'm happy now.

I'm proud for you. Keep on top of them! Doesn't it feel great to be validated by your hard work?;) IMHO, *worth* more than the raise!

Good going Keppig. I am happy for you. Hopefully they will follow thru with their commitment. :rolleyes:

That's awesome Kassie!!! You did great advocating for yourself!!!!

Way to go Kassie!! They know you do a really good job otherwise they would not have offered to give you a raise.

Well done! Bravo!

Thank you... all of you :)

Yes all good Kassie....I would get the raise promises in writing......and/or come June -- if they don't come to you with a raise offer by June 30 -- you go to them.....

P.S. A dollar more per hour is $2,000 more per year.....not too shabby.....:) Have it taken out of your paycheck automatically.....and put it in another fund.....you won't miss it:)