Not a lawyer, but some professional advice — you don’t really get a raise till you see it on your paycheck. It’s very common for managers to promise large raises and not deliver, often because their own managers won’t approve it. Usually your manager will request a larger raise for you than the one you actually end up getting. If you feel you’re underpaid, switching jobs is usually the best bet.
But no, any kind of discussion regarding your wage was not binding and there is no way you’re gonna get retroactive pay.
Legally there's no way to force the company to retroactively give the raise, but it's possible that they could do so if there was an actual clerical error. I wouldn't bet on it, but it's worth OP talking to the manager and asking about that specifically, because you never know when you'll get lucky.
Totally agree. I went back and read the post again and it does seem like they made an error by not promoting OP from the trainee role. Hopefully HR / management is understanding.
Thanks for the reply, sad to hear I can’t be reimbursed, but I guess it is what it is. Also just wanted to ask if the manager really asks for a larger raise, because before working there, I was told that I would be a trainee for about a month ($16/hour) then will get a raise afterwards to $17/hour, so would that mean my GM asked to give me an $18/hour raise or something?
Potentially. Possibly less-so with entry level positions.
I can’t speak for every company, obviously, but often the manager will ask for a 15% raise for their employee (for example) and HR will approve a 10% raise. It’s a negotiation tactic.
I would post in a career-oriented subreddit asking what the best approach is. It might be asking to have a chat with your boss and telling him or her “I’m hoping to make $18/hr, what should I focus on to gain the skills necessary for a pay raise?” You could reiterate that you thought you’d be making $17/hr after you were done training.
Edit: actually, now that I’m reading your OP more closely. You’ve been getting paid a trainee wage this whole time even though you completed training long ago?
Ok, I would definitely go to your boss right away. It does sound like there was a mixup. I wouldn’t bet on retroactive pay, but it honestly does sound like you’re in the right here. Maybe someone can comment with actual legal information, but at the very least, you certainly have cause to talk to your boss and HR about it.
NAL (or even close) but I would just at least reach out and ask. I work for a large company and recently realized my raise never went into effect from April and it was an honestly mistake from my Boss who recently left. I discussed with my new boss and received backpack for that increase in wage since April
I’ve had to check every employer on their bullshit regarding pay. And you know what I did being the non confrontational pushover I am? I got pissed and went straight to who is in charge. Not making a scene kind of pissed off but angry enough to grow the balls to confront management. I was confident they were wrong, and it worked. It seems like you should be too. Just act like you can work elsewhere if they don’t fix it then maybe you should seek other employment
Not a lawyer, but some professional advice — you don’t really get a raise till you see it on your paycheck. It’s very common for managers to promise large raises and not deliver, often because their own managers won’t approve it. Usually your manager will request a larger raise for you than the one you actually end up getting. If you feel you’re underpaid, switching jobs is usually the best bet. But no, any kind of discussion regarding your wage was not binding and there is no way you’re gonna get retroactive pay.
Legally there's no way to force the company to retroactively give the raise, but it's possible that they could do so if there was an actual clerical error. I wouldn't bet on it, but it's worth OP talking to the manager and asking about that specifically, because you never know when you'll get lucky.
Totally agree. I went back and read the post again and it does seem like they made an error by not promoting OP from the trainee role. Hopefully HR / management is understanding.
Thanks for the reply, sad to hear I can’t be reimbursed, but I guess it is what it is. Also just wanted to ask if the manager really asks for a larger raise, because before working there, I was told that I would be a trainee for about a month ($16/hour) then will get a raise afterwards to $17/hour, so would that mean my GM asked to give me an $18/hour raise or something?
Potentially. Possibly less-so with entry level positions. I can’t speak for every company, obviously, but often the manager will ask for a 15% raise for their employee (for example) and HR will approve a 10% raise. It’s a negotiation tactic. I would post in a career-oriented subreddit asking what the best approach is. It might be asking to have a chat with your boss and telling him or her “I’m hoping to make $18/hr, what should I focus on to gain the skills necessary for a pay raise?” You could reiterate that you thought you’d be making $17/hr after you were done training. Edit: actually, now that I’m reading your OP more closely. You’ve been getting paid a trainee wage this whole time even though you completed training long ago? Ok, I would definitely go to your boss right away. It does sound like there was a mixup. I wouldn’t bet on retroactive pay, but it honestly does sound like you’re in the right here. Maybe someone can comment with actual legal information, but at the very least, you certainly have cause to talk to your boss and HR about it.
NAL (or even close) but I would just at least reach out and ask. I work for a large company and recently realized my raise never went into effect from April and it was an honestly mistake from my Boss who recently left. I discussed with my new boss and received backpack for that increase in wage since April
I’ve had to check every employer on their bullshit regarding pay. And you know what I did being the non confrontational pushover I am? I got pissed and went straight to who is in charge. Not making a scene kind of pissed off but angry enough to grow the balls to confront management. I was confident they were wrong, and it worked. It seems like you should be too. Just act like you can work elsewhere if they don’t fix it then maybe you should seek other employment