Incentives matter

I was offered additional training today that will help the unit in backing up other positions. It’s additional work and responsibility without any potential of a pay increase. Something I’m not used to, until I got into state government. Granted, government is on hard times, but still.

I was flattered of course. I apparently I look competent enough to be approached with this opportunity. However, the longer I thought about, it the worse it seemed. No pay increase? No pathway to promotion without someone else retiring, quitting or dying? What’s the point?

The way I see it there needs to be incentive and/or a clear pathway to promotion or career success to be willing to take on additional tasks. What about taking it on for the team? I’m probably the lowest paid person in my unit that does my job.   I would be doing more work than other people and they will continue to be paid better just because they have been there longer. So I ask, why? It’s not going to make me more money or make me any happier. Again, I ask, why?

I need:

• A pay increase or a promise of one as soon as I’m competent at the new task
• A clear path to promotion in a reasonable time frame for which this new task would be beneficial
• A reasonable belief that I can transfer some of these skills to another career path.

I couldn’t see any of these points fulfilled if I would take on this extra load so I turned down this “opportunity”. I don’t blame my boss or government, it’s beyond their control. Again, nice offer but I have no incentive.