I was NOT given the opportunity to negotiate. Please read my posts correctly. This salary inquiry has been continuous the entire 3 years.
I said when I received the telephone call with the offer of employment, I questioned why the pay was so low and she said "everyone starts at step one". I also stated that I kept her on the phone for 45 minutes, telling her about my salary history and about how I submitted my letters of recommendation and my scholastic accreditations, coupled with my experience. It would have been fine, but she paid a male contractor the following year who has far less experience than I do, $15,000 more to start. She did not give me a fair chance. I did not know I could have negotiated. My only experience in federal government was as a soldier in the Army.
So please don't tell me I accepted something right or wrong. I was given erroneous information and I relied on it as fact/policy/mandatory practice. I know NOW that I could have negotiated the salary. Even when I received my promotion, this woman tried to cheat me by removing one step from my grade increase. I had to enlist the Chief for assistance to ensure I received my full 3-steps. The HR Officer has a history of short-changing government employees. I know because I did an inquiry.
At my last meeting with the Chief, he told me the decision had been discretionary. Discretionary is not mandatory and is not policy. He also said as a result of my inquiry, because it has happened to a number of people, the HR Officer will no longer handle salary negotiations. Everything will be done by the executive office in Washington, D.C. What does that tell you? I'm saying the same thing to you that I said to the Chief, "That means there is a flaw in the system". The Chief said he will re-submit my packet to Washington. It may not mean I'll get it, but I'm fine because I do love my job and the people I am blessed to work with. Thank you for your input, but know this, I am not a quitter and, at least by my efforts, I did make some type of impact.
SIDE NOTE: It never ceases to amaze me why people WILL short-change others as if it were coming out of their own pockets, without regard for their financial welfare.
Edited by user Thursday, January 30, 2020 5:14:59 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Because I'm an editing nut!