Has anyone turned down a promotion?

I have been offered a promotion at work that I don't want to take.

The thing that is bothering me is, the spot is opening up because someone is leaving, and they haven't even begun looking for the replacement (I guess my boss is assuming I am going to accept the promotion).

They offered me a 5% raise, which I don't think is enough for the amount of work required. (and the new position would mean working even closer with my boss who I am not a huge fan of).

I know I am going to be stuck doing that job + my own + training the replacement (who I will report to).

Is there any way around doing two jobs and not being paid for it in the meantime?

Has anyone been in a similar position?

WWYD???

-- Update --

I turned it down. Thanks SO MUCH everyone for the advice!!! Even though they upped their offer to a whopping 7%, I ultimately decided that with two little ones at home, that I did not want any new additional responsibility at work. I am still "filling in" and doing two jobs right now, but whatever, at least I don't really feel any pressure to perform because I said "no thanks". My new boss is very "disappointed", but whatever...

Message edited 6/28/2013 9:29:56 AM.

Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Ask for more. 5% is peanuts. Get comparative salary reports for that position and present them. Are you currently overpaid/underpaid?

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

I remember your posts in the past about how you weren't happy.

My advice is to pass and keep looking elsewhere.

It looks like they are trying to force two jobs on you for no raise.

Even if they offer you a raise, is the $$ worth it?

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Ugh, that's a tough one. Since we are in the same related field, I remember your posts.

In the new position is the CPA going to become even more important? That would be my #1 concern.

And like the others have said, 5% is nothing.

Do you not want the promotion because of the boss, or are there other issues?

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Has anyone turned down a promotion?

5% is peanuts.

If you want to stay at your company you have to ask for more. I highly douby the person is that position was only making 5% more than what you are currently making. Do some research and see what the going rate for that position is.

Or if you want out you could just take the promotion and use it solely to find the next best thing elsewhere.

Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Thanks everyone for your replies!!! Where is the most reliable place for comparative salary reports? I work for a large prestigious company for my area (upstate), so I feel like they *think* they can get away with paying people less just so that you can have their name on your resume.

To me, the 5% is absolutely NOT worth the work I am going to have to do and the time I am going to have to put in. Especially given that I will have more interaction with my boss than I do now (yuck).

I'm so undecided because I am going to get stuck doing both jobs at least for a little while, so why not get paid SOMETHING extra, but then another part of me feels like the amount they offered me was a slap in the face... I really don't know what the person before me was making. She had been there for 12 years while I have only been there for 7 so I am sure they will use that as the reason why she was so well paid. I am not as concerned with taking the higher position for my resume because basically I can use everything that comes with the position on my resume now - because I have been trained in the duties and will be training the person they hire.

Christine, that is an interesting perspective from Sheryl Sandberg... I don't think the position would make me miserable, but spending more time with my boss might, lol. I might just ask for something outlandish, like working a day from home every other week, or to decrease my FTE by .1 along with the raise so that I could get a day off every other week.

I just need to start seriously looking and sending resumes out. I have sort of half looked and sent a resume or two, but not full force.

Thanks everyone for your advice and insight!

Message edited 6/2/2013 2:32:20 PM.

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Do you know anyone you can meet with, and then pass your resume onto directly?

This is how I just got my new job.

I have been trying to get into this company forever, but only when I applied again for a position where I knew the person was leaving, and then emailed the person in charge of the program that I had just applied for her job, did I get an actual call to come in to interview.

I sat around for a couple of months as well, debating applying so I am glad I went through with it------I think they were about to offer it to someone when they got my resume.

Also I think I remember you work in accounting? My SIL does too and has been complaining that a big thing that is happening, is they are cutting out middle management and support positions like secretaries, to save $$. She recently left a top NYC firm doing public accounting, to go to a prestigious place because she wanted to try private, thinking it would be "less stressful". (I believe she is the controller for the whole international company).

She HATES her job now because of the reason I just mentioned----she gets stuck answering phones, getting called at all hours of the day and night, etc. She is planning to meet with them to see if they will cut some of her salary, and hire a support person with it.

She is also trying to meet with people personally she knows from her field to get the inside scoop about what it's like to work at their company, before wasting her time and going from one stressful place to another.

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

I also just ask people in the industry if they would mind sharing what the going range is.

Many people are surprisingly open to discussion.

It's important though to go by area you live.

My SIL is looking to leave her job and she works in the city. She's interviewed at firms here on the island and it's been a DRASTIC pay cut, along with cut in benefits.

I also ran into this many times in my field.

I have also found that places that are not a great working environment will often offer you a higher salary to lure you in.

Sometimes they don't offer good benefits either, so half your salary goes to that.

Message edited 6/6/2013 5:34:05 AM.

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Bumping for update at the top.

Thanks so much everyone!!!!!!!

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Re: Has anyone turned down a promotion?

Your post just made me smile.

Good for you for standing your ground.

Now you also have time focus on your job search.

My former boss kind of had the same reaction when I told him I was leaving.

He asked me point blank if I needed more money, but honestly, that environment was just way too stressful and even if he gave me a significant increase, it wouldn't be worth it.

I actually took a pay cut (but they pay all of my benefits so it's a little more money in the grand scheme of things) and I go into work now from 8:30-4:30, am NEVER stressed and go home and don't think about work.

I am still doing P/T stuff for the old place, but think even those days are numbered, because I don't want to be bothered anymore on nights and weekends.

My SIL just got a job offer for some place else too and she starts at the end of July.

I am sending the positive job vibes your way!