I've worked at the same company for 3 years and have never had a pay increase. I have responsibility for three business areas (small company) and have successfully grown revenues by more than 10% each year. My manager (the CEO) indicated I'd be receiving a pay rise earlier this year, and that's dragged on until the most recent board meeting. Instead of a pay increase I've been told they'll offer a cost of living payment, with a pay rise mid-next year. I'm massively annoyed because it feels like a "jam tomorrow" situation, with this pay rise constantly dangled at some point in the future. The CoL payment is fine, but it doesn't improve my finances from a mortgage PoV (for example) and colleagues will receive theirs tax-free because of the country they're in, so I feel a bit aggrieved because I'll lose half of mine to tax.
My salary is the lower end of what this sort of role can pay and I don't get any sort of benefits (enhanced mat pay, enhanced pension etc) but I'm ok with that because I have huge amounts of flexibility, lots of annual leave and it's a small company so wouldn't expect that they can compete with larger orgs. However being denied any sort of pay increase for 3 years has really soured me to the company, especially as I've always been really accommodating to them. As an example, while on mat leave - I took 6 months - I did KIT days whenever they needed and took ad-hoc meetings as required and kept on top of my email (they didn't want to hire proper mat cover for me to keep costs down). I'm at the point where I think I have to move on, which sucks because I find my work otherwise enjoyable and rewarding.
What do you think?
YABU - they're offering something, stick with it
YANBU - they're taking the piss, move on