Question:

I thoroughly enjoy my workplace and the autonomy it provides. My propensity for gathering and organizing information has led the general manager to entrust me with the immigration program for our foreign staff seeking permanent residency in our province. This new responsibility requires me to complete training courses, liaise with organizations, and assist our foreign staff with document procurement, English language training verification, and banking document management, tasks that are beyond my initial IT role. Our company is small, with no dedicated HR office, yet it has a substantial number of production workers.

Given that I am effectively assuming an HR role in addition to my IT responsibilities, and considering that my current salary is $46,000, would it be unreasonable to request a raise?”

Answer:

In the dynamic landscape of today’s workplace, it’s not uncommon for employees to wear multiple hats, especially in smaller companies where resources are limited. The scenario you’ve described is a classic example of this. You’ve been recognized for your exceptional organizational skills and have been entrusted with additional responsibilities that fall outside the traditional scope of your IT role.

Taking on an HR function—particularly one as critical as managing an immigration program—is a significant addition to your workload. This task involves not only a considerable investment of time and effort but also the acquisition of new skills and knowledge. It’s a role that typically warrants a dedicated position and comes with its own set of challenges and liabilities.

Given the breadth of your new duties, which now span across two distinct domains—IT and HR—it would be entirely reasonable to initiate a conversation about compensation. Here’s why:

: Your new responsibilities contribute to the company’s operations in a way that extends far beyond your initial job description.

2.

Skill Enhancement

: The training courses and the liaison work with other organizations represent a form of professional development, adding to your value as an employee.

3.

Increased Workload

: Managing the immigration program is likely to take a significant amount of time, which could impact your ability to perform your existing IT duties to the same standard unless properly managed.

4.

Market Rates

: It’s worth researching what professionals with similar dual responsibilities in your region earn to understand how your current salary compares.

Before approaching your employer, prepare by:

–

Documenting

your expanded role and the additional tasks you’ve taken on.

–

Quantifying

the extra hours or the increased complexity of your work.

–

Researching

the average salary for someone with your combined responsibilities.

When you’re ready to discuss a raise, approach the conversation with a collaborative mindset. Express your commitment to the company and your enjoyment of the work, but highlight the new responsibilities you’ve taken on and the value they add to the company. Be open to negotiation and ready to discuss not just salary, but possibly other forms of compensation that might be available.

In conclusion, it’s not unreasonable to ask for a raise when your job scope has significantly expanded. It’s a matter of ensuring that your compensation reflects the breadth and depth of your contributions to the company. Remember, the goal is to reach an agreement that recognizes your value and ensures that you remain motivated and productive in your multifaceted role.