How to Handle a Disappointing Raise for Software Developers

There is a real problem in software engineering and development. It seems obvious, but there are real difficulties in knowing who has done what, and the quality of what has been done.

I think it’s more difficult in my job. They change the acceptance criteria of tickets after the development

Here is what is happening and perhaps more importantly what you should do about it.

The Bonus Excuse

Many companies (and not just those who use stack ranking) say that there isn’t money available for your bonus for the simple reason:

 — There isn’t enough money for both you and someone else. The other is simply better than you.

I think you know already. This excuse is bull

What is going on

I've seen this so many times. Great developers are not getting the recognition that they deserve perhaps because they are not getting the support they need to perform in their jobs.

The reason behind this is simple. Software developers are expensive to hire and once you have one there is inertia in the job market that will likely keep them in their current position for some time.

There is a risk to an individual in changing their job

The answer is usually to avoid giving any individual developer a rise or bonus.

That doesn’t make sense. Hiring is expensive

Nonsensical employers

It is true that hiring is expensive. It is also true with tools like stack ranking tech companies work to avoid paying any particular developer what they are worth. The reaction from any company is expressed tacitly thusly:

If you didn’t like it, you’d leave

I remember my last bonus meeting. We are remote and I’d not been set any targets for the preceding year (I made my own). So, in the review, the boss didn’t bother to switch on their camera and gave me my satisfactory grade (so a 2% bonus) “because I haven’t heard any complaints about you”.

Tell me to leave without telling me to leave

Because my firm employs stack ranking I think they were happy to give me a poor grade and just keep me there, save a little money here and there.

I guess I need to employ new negotiation tactics. Take a look at the ones I’m using:

The negotiation tactics

There is only one way to go in a situation like this, and I think you won’t like it. It’s not ideal but there is one way to get the remuneration you deserve.

You need to be in the strongest negotiating position it is possible to be in. To do that? You’ll need to find another job.

When you have a new job offer, you’ll quickly find that your current employer will offer you a salary representative of your work.

Whether you then take it or not is your choice. There is risk in changing jobs, but you can only use the “I have a better offer” so many times on any particular gig. S,o I guess you decide?

Your advice is that I should think for myself? Sad emoji

Conclusion

Eventually, the best software developers will be paid the raises and bonuses they deserve. I think we all cannot wait for that day; it must be coming soon.

Right?