Okay. folks, I was never meant to be a capitalist boss. Here is the

[efhmc]

situation: I have a couple that live on the ranch and are the caretakers. She does the house and the lawn and he takes care of the hunters. She wants a raise and has reminded me that I said we would do a review in 2000 for a possible increase. Last year, I did not do any planting or clearing, etc so it was the first time since I can remember that I did not have to put my own money into the place and we made a small profit. They are suppose to pay their own electric bills (they get huge bills in the summer from the ac. I would too if I were here that much.) I am now giving them a $50 credit on their electric bill. (Also, they have a three bedroom, two bath house that is not figured into the mix. Please do not tell you know who.) I am so pulled by this whole thing. (By the by, they are large, huge bush, right-wing Christian folks. I so want to say that this lousy economy is the present administration's fault but that would be very unprofessional.) I am going to run the figures but am angry that I feel so manipulated by the situation. My own son-in-law who works for a large company did get a raise last year and got a very small increase this year He has an engineering degree and a masters from Stanford in business and engineering. I am for the worker but am management. HELP!!!

[KCDem]

1. hm, sounds like you want a reason

NOT to give a raise:

Here's one: my husband, who has a MS and an MBA, is not getting any sort of raise this year, as no one in his company is, due to the economy. Oh, and we're having fewer health benefits next year. Thank you, Mr. Bush. Don't feel like you have to give a raise, because many corporations aren't either.

[efhmc]

2. Thank you for sharing. I guess the truth is that I want to give a raise

but don't know if I can. I really am not good at this stuff. I got this postiton through the unexpected death of my husband. I'm trying to keep thing intact for my daughters, and all of these decisions really put me through the wringer. I am thinking that the best thing to do is run the numbers and present them factually. That would be great except the person I am dealing with is very angry/passive/ agressive and I am not really at my best with that type of person.

[KCDem]

3. oh man, good luck!

Sounds like a rough situation... and I'm very sorry about your husband. I guess, tho'... hm, the economy sucks, and I'm sure these people know that and shouldn't be expecting a raise. Depending on how you're already paying them, of course... I assume it's living, at least.

[Melsky]

4. Times are hard

My husband is a patent attorney, he went to great schools, he's ethical, hard working and smart. But he is out of work, there just aren't the jobs out there that there once were. It sucks. We are living on savings and the earnings from my small business until he starts work again.

Since they like Bush, why don't you act like he would, and outsource their jobs to India? Well, just kidding on that one. But do you think their pal Bush would give them a raise? Take a cue from the leader they admire, and just say no to raises this year. It sounds like they have a good deal going anyway.

[dweller]

5. Tell them a raise would hurt the fight

against terrorism.
they'll understand.
:shrug:

dp