She Strengthens

Protecting Your Earnings: The Importance of Getting it in Writing

When it comes to career advancement and compensation, it’s essential to be proactive and cautious. We’ve all heard stories of people being promised a promotion, raise, or job offer without having it officially documented. Unfortunately, these verbal agreements often don’t materialize, leaving individuals feeling disappointed and frustrated.

A Personal Experience

I learned this lesson the hard way when I took my first “real” job out of college at a marketing company. My offer letter mentioned “additional compensation based on performance,” but the specifics were never discussed. After several months of waiting, I pushed my boss for clarification, only to be met with silence. Eventually, I was offered a small raise to relocate to the headquarters, but it wasn’t enough to warrant the move. Looking back, I regret not advocating for myself earlier, as I may have missed out on earnings that were rightfully mine.

The Power of Community

Recently, I stumbled upon a post on the personal finance Subreddit from GeekNord, who shared their experience of being underpaid and seeking advice from the community. The response was overwhelming, with many users urging them to get any promises in writing. As one commenter, The_Phasers, wisely put it, “Without getting such an offer in writing, or even a recording of the vocal agreement, it’s not worth much at all.”

Cautionary Tales

Several commenters shared their own stories of missing out on opportunities due to lack of documentation. These experiences serve as valuable lessons for all of us:

• Don’t take on extra responsibilities without a formal agreement: Afterbirthsoup’s daughter was promoted to assistant manager, but never received a pay raise. She ended up with more work and no additional compensation.
• Get it in writing before making big decisions: Scribe_’s new promotion came with a promised raise of $10k, but they didn’t get it in writing. Six months later, the raise was approved for half the amount.
• Don’t rely on verbal promises: Atomheartmother90 was told they would receive a $5k raise, but it never materialized. Now, they’re searching for a new job.
• Speak up and advocate for yourself: Legirion’s boss promised a raise, but didn’t follow through. They learned to fight for what they deserve and eventually left for a better opportunity.

The Bottom Line

Remember, no one cares about your earnings as much as you do. Always err on the side of caution and get any agreements or promises in writing. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and fight for what you deserve. By being proactive and prepared, you can protect your earnings and build a more secure financial future.