What Would Bing Do?

Dear Stanley,

What are your thoughts on employment contracts? I’ve been with my company happily for several years on a salary. Now I am being asked to sign a contract and to switch to commission. It seems generous enough, although a bit less secure than the salary and bonus structure that I’m used to. But mostly, I’m wondering why the company suddenly wants everyone on commission and if there are ramifications to the employment contract (i.e., is it easier to let me go?). Help!

Signed,

Suddenly Insecure

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Dear Stanley,

I am almost 50 years old and have been told by headhunters that I am already too old. I have been a controller for 25 years and in the same position for the last 8 years. My boss recently told me that I am at the top of my game and does not think I should get a raise anymore. I don’t know where to look for a new job. The newspapers have nothing and the headhunters don’t want me. Help!

Signed,

Young at Heart

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Dear Stanley,

I asked my gay male boss for a raise and instead he countered, “How much does your husband make?” When I replied “more than me,” he said that we are well above the average household income and will be fine. Did he break any laws where I can take recourse?

Signed,

Steaming Mad

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Dear Stanley,

I am currently in the second-round interview process for a new position at my company. I know that I am a strong candidate and in so many words the “offer” has already been made. My dilemma is that the hiring director already retrieved my current salary. When I receive the offer, what are my options for negotiating the best deal?

Ambitious but Nervous

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Dear Stanley,

I work for a small medical company and I have certain clinical expertise and experience that only a handful of medical professionals in my field have. in fact, there may only be five individuals in the state. My salary is about the same as others in my company who can not perform my job. I have an offer for a federal job with better benefits but lower salary. How do I go for the big raise, another week’s vacation, and severance in a tactful manner? If they have to pay a temp company, it will cost them twice as much as my salary. Help!

Deserving Dan

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Dear Stanley,

I worked for a consulting company as an analyst for two years and worked my way up the pay grade. Recently I switched jobs by joining a corporate advisory firm. On my first day of work, the company announced that the firm got bought by a financial services company. The end result is that every one else will get a bonus and I will not! Our bonus is broken into two components: 1) performance and 2) a retention bonus for all staff because of the acquisition, which is applicable to all employees who have been with the firm since the day before I joined. Should I explore trying to get a bonus with my boss and HR?

Transition Thomas

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Dear Stanley,

I was fired from my job because I asked for a performance raise. Is that legal, and if not what is my recourse against this employer?

Canned in Skokie

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Dear Stanley,

I work for a very small company where one of my co-workers is my boss’s son. I’ve only been here about four months and in that time the son has been to work maybe half the days. For example, he took three weeks off to go on a sailing trip and hasn’t been in yet this week (today is Thursday) because he had an argument with his girlfriend. When he does come to work, he brings his dogs, although we work in laboratory, and then uses the dogs as an excuse to leave early. He never works more than a six-hour day, and when he’s there he spends most of his time on Skype and his new iPhone. On top of all that, I know he makes 33 percent more than I do. I want to tell his dad (my boss), “I work at least 40 hours per week, I’m here every day, and I’m productive. What the hell?”

Wage Slave

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Dear Stanley,

I am a recent college grad with a BA in Marketing and a minor in Business Administration. I spent the last four and a half years going to college, and now it seems as though I will be spending the same amount of time looking for a career. Everyone wants experience, but no one is willing to give it to me. Not to be arrogant, but I genuinely believe that I am worth more than $28k per year. Have any suggestions?

Young Turk

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Dear Stanley,

An employee saves a company $5 million dollars in four months (when it’s been losing tens of millions every year). The company terminates the employee for poor performance but then uses the former employee’s work in a corporate competition. What rights does the former employee have in seeking restitution from the company?

Screwed Over

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