l work as an Administrator and do some accounting.l started my job last year as a temp job for only a couple weeks, then it turned into a month, then my company just liked me and asked me to be hired on, even though l had no experience at all.So as of February 2008 l was officially on payroll.
l have been getting paid the exact same since l started a year ago in November.l am the only one not on salary, which is fine with me because l do not expect that..... not yet anyway.
However, l do feel that my work is far more valuable now, seeing my knowledge of the company and everything else. Basically my company NEEDS me here to do the work l do otherwise no one else can do it!
l make 15$/hr now working mon-fri 9-5... l do not have my health benefits yet, which will be 40% covered.I've asked several times and my chief financial officer keeps forgetting (we did just have auditors in our office for 2 weeks so it was not exactly the best time to ask).
In November the Health care benefits are being renewed, so I am not worried about that anymore.

However, l will be doing an Excel course and a Word course which l will be paying half of, and my company will pay for the other half.Then after l have completed these coursed (which are only a couple days) l was thinking this would be a good tie to ask for a raise, seeing as my knowledge will be even more valuable then.However l do not think l should HAVE to do these courses just to get a raise.l want a raise now and do not know how to approach the situation in the most proffessional manor.I am not asking for a major major increase, but maybe 2-3$ more an hour FOR NOW...
What are your opinions?How should l address this issue to my Chief Financial Officer, who is more or less my boss.
Please help!

set up a meeting with ur supervisor/cfo & ask them when u r eligible for a raise. make them aware of ur official start date (lots of places wo not give raises until after a year of taht date - which is not very far away). that is ridiculous that you're still not receiving health benefits by this point.
if he/she says again he they forgot, ask her when u can expect an update so that u may follow up. mark it on ur calendar & keep on them about it. good luck.

Just ask him when you will be considered for a salary increase. That would imply that you expect it to happen and just want some idea as to when it would be.

Due to the bad economy, some people are not getting raises. My daughter is a lawyer and her firm is not giving raises this year, but will increase the firm is contribution to their 401Ks.

Hey there.In the U.S. it is usually common practice for companies - traditionally to automatically give a raise after 6 months - & every six months to a year after that. Companies have different policies on raises & even vacation allowances - like after you've been with them one year, u r allowed a year, & so on.
Are there reasons they have not issued u a raise? A few of my co-workers have not received raises simply because it is a small company & we're tagging along with other businesses who can not afford to pay the workers more (not even me :().
l would obviously speak to ur boss about the possibility for a raise. Bring up the fact that u have dedicated a lot of ur time & efforts to the company, mush him/her with all the progress you've made in the company, & casually ask if there is a possiblity for a raise. l have asked for a raise twice in my life at different jobs & it is really about supporting ur argument - that u want to make what you're worth. Let is face it, someone who knows Excel & Word might make more than u do only because they can DO more for a company. l would ask even before u advance ur skills. If u r a valuable asset, ur boss will say yes.
Good luck!