Money???

[JanaA]

I have been the framing manager of an art gallery for the past 6 1/2 years. I'm responsible for all the normal framing manager things and usually have one part-time employee. (Although, at the moment, I'm doing all the framing myself.) I need to talk to my boss about a raise, but I'm not sure how much I should be making. Could anyone out there give me some idea of how much a framing manager usually makes?

 

[CharlesL]

Not being an employer, only a shop owner, I wouldn't have a clue. But, welcome to the G anyway!

 

[po' framer]

Welcome, JanaA.

I'm not sure if there is any such thing as what a framing manager normally makes. Another question might be, "What really defines a framing manager?" The real answer is, "It depends."

It depends on the area you're in and its cost of living and rate of growth, plus the demand for good framing and the level of supply associated with that demand. It depends on your workplace: whether it's a prosperous, well-established business with a loyal clientele and whether you've established yourself as a real key to its continued prosperity. It depends on your relationship with the owner and the owner's alternatives to your services.

The desire to imoprove employees' wellbeing is always balanced against the hard realities of the present economy, however it happens to be. I urge you to open a dialogue with the owner for the purpose of discussing a raise. Be prepared to demonstrate your value to the business with recent examples and strive for an open, honest dialogue which, however it turns out, leaves both of you with a feeling that the thing you just did was a good thing, instead of leaving one or both with a sour taste. No matter the outcome, your relationship and understanding will no doubt be strengthened which will lead to other growth.

 

[JRB]

JanaA, you are the only person who can answer that question. It does not matter what a person in another state makes for the same work. What you get paid is between you and your employer.

You decide what you would like to be paid, your employer will tell you what he/she thinks they can afford, and then you can negotiate between the two of you. You can explain what a great asset you are to them, they can explain why your not as great as the money you are asking. They may surprise you and give you what your asking for.

Approaching an employer with what other people earn for the same work is not an effective way of negotiating. You have to convince them that you are well worth the money. It's up to you, no one else.

Welcome to The Grumble,

John

 

[JanaA]

Thank you for your responses and for your welcome!
I wish I had found this site years ago.
I've been reading for hours and I've learned
(and laughed)a lot! I got my start at Michael's
nine years ago, and have enjoyed seeing my opinions about the company are shared by others.
I have to remember that no matter how much money I make, I love the gallery where I work!

 

[JanaA]

Did I mention I do the sales tax every month?
If that doesn't demonstrate what an asset I am
to the business, what does?

 

[D_Derbonne]

Welcome Jana,
Glad to see you took my advice yesterday and found The Grumble. It is a great place to get information, moral support and to have fun.
Good luck with your raise!

 

[Framing Goddess]

Welcome to our humble lil Grumble, JanaA!
As an employer, I have a few suggestions for you before you have that chat with your employer.
First, prepare yourself. Demonstrate the many ways in which you have already earned this raise. Show those sales figures from the last 6 1/2 years- show how they have steadily gone up during your tenure. If they haven't, weeeeell that's another story. Tell your employer the many things you do to a) bring in new business, and b)strive to do the work that has already come in the door in an efficient and timely manner. Show your employer how you have paid the sales tax on time and without penalty every month. While you're at it mention all your bonus skills-- such as your abilities on the shop computer, your expertise at fabric-wrapping and ruling-penned french lines, your charm when it comes to dealing with tricky customers, your unmatched abilities at stretching needlework, your reputation for slamming together a metal poster frame faster than anyone for 3 counties, etc.
Tell your employer about all the education you have provided yourself over the past few years (by way of local ppfa chapters or attendance at nearby nat'l trade shows.) Remind your employer about the CPF that you have recently earned. Remind your employer about the helper you had and how well you two worked together to get a lot of work done thanks to your managerial skills.
And be prepared to propose a raise in this way-- tie it to sales and/or productivity. Work out an incentive based system. Some employers I know pay a straight bonus for each piece completed (excluding re-dos) while others pay a percentage of salary to employees who meet target sales increases and COGS decreases.
See if there is a way to have weekly meetings with your employer (Jim Parrie calls them "one-on-ones") so you can be aware of problems that need correcting early on and so that you can toot your own horn about recent triumphs.
What about a raise in the form of health insurance? Think about that if it applies.
Good luck and let us know how it goes...
Edie the FG