Get that Raise Understand your Companys Policies first
It's time for a raise. What do most people unconsciously ignore when they are thinking about asking for a raise or focusing on their evaluation? Company policies. Those human resource handbooks that seemed so important on your first day often get shuffled to the back of the file drawer after you've been at a company for awhile. The company is forever sending memos about policy, and you think you have a pretty good grasp on how things work. Think again.
If it's been months, even years, since you've looked at your employee handbook and raise time is approaching, perhaps it's time to delve into that dry reading once again. Understanding basic principles of company policy will not only clue you in on what to expect from the raise process, it may also alert you to opportunities you didn't even know existed. More than that, it may alert you to opportunities that your boss might not be aware of either! Do you think the employee handbook is any more appealing reading for your boss?
It's human nature to think we know the rules of our company; in general, we do. Many times, however, certain perks (training, company-paid educational opportunities, and so on) may not be widely advertised so as to keep costs low. It's another way to have a perk without really highlighting it to the employee. What you know can help you in this case. In addition, your company policies may have stipulations that your boss didn't know needed to be followed (for example, recourse to an evaluation you don't agree with). In short, the more you know and understand company policies, the more you can use them to your own benefit or be aware of their potential pitfalls.
Are company policies set in stone? Of course not. However, many times there are protections and advantages built in for employees as well as the company. Knowledge is power, and the more you know about and understand the policies of your company, the more power you bring to the table when seeking a raise.
