Any H.R. types out there? Getting screwed out of promised pay!

[Wcross]

I recently changed jobs within the same company. In the offer letter it stated I would be paid "X" amount when I started. It also stated I "should" receive an increase after a three month period and "should" receive another increase after six months. The job is somewhat technical and requires on the job training so I can understand the increases over time.
You guessed it, after three months the paycheck didn't change. I have tried to get in touch of the H.R. manager for the past three days but he doesn't return my calls or answer my e-mails.(he IS in the office) I have had no official feedback on how I am doing in the job but have been told I am well ahead of others that trained before me. An example is they have allowed me to do the task solo after three months whereas others hadn't been set free after six months.
I accepted the job on the basis of the offer, I gave up a Monday-Friday job with my choice of vacations for a 12 hour rotating shift job with vacation time subject to availability.
Our company declared there will be no raises this year but that decision was made before I was offered the job.
If anybody has any advice on how to proceed from here I would greatly appreciate it. I don't think I would have given up my old job if not for the increase in salary.

[pagerbear]

1. How many pay periods have passed since the 3-month anniversary?

Sometimes these things are delayed by one or two or three pay periods.

But do ask your HR people.

[Wcross]

5. Just one pay period.

Thats the problem, the H.R. guy won't talk to me! I can't afford to camp out up there until he's available- my job doesn't allow me to be away too long.

[Radical Activist]

2. Talk to your direct superviser about it nicely...

and then threaten to take it to the labor relations board if they don't respond soon. That might work. The board won't do anything but its enough of a hassle for them that they'll probably take care of your raise.

[truthspeaker]

3. key word is "should"

You're probably screwed.

But, I would ask your supervisor and/or HR for feedback on your performance and an explanation of why you did not receive the increase.

[Wcross]

6. Thats what I was thinking....

The "should" is a giant weasel out word. I'm screwed!

[Misunderestimator]

4. Most pay raises occur retroactively after you expect them...

At least that's been my experience.

[bratcatinok]

7. Do you know if your supervisor/manager has

turned in the request for the pay increase? Based upon your post, it doesn't sound like your supervisor has done the review necessary for H.R. since you haven't had any official feedback.

Pay raises of this sort aren't automatic since your performance has to be judged.

[Doctor Smith]

8. I would be concerned that you can't get a response from H.R.

That doesn't seem right to me at all.
Is this a reputable company?

[Wcross]

9. Reputable? It depends on your definition.....

We are one of the big tire makers with operations worldwide. I have seen some of the scummiest things done by our H.R. department over the years. I have delt with these people for over thirteen years and they are less than honest about most things. I have a feeling the staff H.R. guy doesn't want to deal with the situation or doesn't feel its urgent. He always seems to want to handle things in person or over the phone which of course doesn't generate a record like e-mail does.

[Doctor Smith]

10. You might try USPS.

It's harder to ignore a physical letter than an email.

[Nay]

11. Semi-HR type here.

No matter what else you do, go to the immediate boss, the one who would evaluate your work, and ask for a 3-month evaluation (written, with both of you signing it). DO NOT mention any pay raise when you ask for this. A few days after you have the good eval in your hot little hand, ask the same boss, or the HR guy, about the promised raise. Your immediate boss may have simply forgotten to do the paperwork. You would know better than I what kind of person he is.

But the HR person not returning calls. . .nasty.

Paychecks also lag by one pay cycle. Look at the dates you were paid for (not the date of the check) to see if you are totally in that "past-the-3-month" window. If not, you may want to wait one more paycheck before you freak out.

I also agree that the "should" is a way for them to deny your raise, but you will have some ammo to fight that if you have a good review in your hand. Then you can ask them, "well, what the hell is the "should" part of this document referring to?" And innocently explain that it implies that a good review would get you a raise. Which it does imply, or the word would be meaningless. If they are nasty and can think on their feet, they will say the "should" just refers to whether the company is able to give out any raises at that time, etc., etc. Hope that is not the case. I hope they hem and haw and pay you off to keep you quiet. But they will be happy to not give you a raise as long as you let them get away with it. Sad to say.