I started this week with plans to remind my boss what a great producer I am even in the most extreme of situations in preparation for my first six-month review on Friday. And it all blew up in my face.

Long story short: I'm a producer in a growing web design and marketing agency. The only one. All of our clients and our projects are fun and exciting except for one. It's a start-up dot.com, pre-funding. Seeing the red, flaming flags? Extremely difficult client who only understands programming, doesn't have a clue about brand development (the main portion of the project), and plays crazy mind games. He also refused to follow our successful brand development and creative process which kept putting the project back further and further. Only wanted to discuss code. Also, the sales team promised a delivery date without checking to see if 1) we had a programming resource that knows the technology they're using or 2) if we could fit the creative into our schedule. The answers are We Don't and We Can't, respectively.

Understandably, the client freaked yesterday. My boss, who set this whole situation up, tried to calm him down. He let the client think it was all my fault and when the client requested it, told him that I was off the project. Of course, I'm not because we don't have any other producers. I will do all the work and someone else will get the credit (or blame?). The clincher was when my boss explained his plan to me: he looked me in the eye and said "You're going to take the fall for this." That was his client management strategy.

I already know I need to write up a memo that states my view of the situation and make sure it's clear that I did all I could in a bad situation that I didn't create. But what about my fucking raise?!! I work 10 hours or more a day, 6-7 days a week and make less money than my friends who are marketing assistants and work humane hours. I need to be rewarded for my efforts. But I'm worried about how this whole thing is playing out.

Even without this drama I'm nervous about asking for more money even though I totally deserve it. I know it's going to involve some serious negotiation. Any advice?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Answers

Problem? I don't see a problem, I see a goldmine!

#1. Your Boss admits they set you up to be the fall guy #2. There are no other Producers who can take over the job #3. The client wants you off the job

Result: a license to print money.

Talk to your boss. Explain that being the fall guy is going to cost him something, especially if he wants you to sneak around and keep doing the job, behind the client's back. Point out that if you are the only one who can do the job right now, that is also going to cost a little extra. No, scratch that - a lot extra. Point out that there is a little surcharge for letting someone else take credit for your work. How much would it cost them to replace you right now, if you left?

You aren't exactly being escorted to your desk each morning by fairies carrying garlands of liquid happiness, are you? They need you more than you need them right now. What a great position to be in.

Just keep telling yourself, "I walk, and they are *screwed*". Say it over and over. Get a salary guide online and see if your salary compares - if it doesn't, bring the guide in with you. And remember, it is your boss's job to pay you as little as he can for the best work possible.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Where does one find a salary guide online? My review is in 16 minutes! Quick!

Thanks in advance. :)

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Riley Guide Riley Guide
Jobsmart. this is the better of the 2, I think, and has good negotiation strategies.
I know there are more, but these are the two I know off the top of my head. Who else has a salary guide bookmarked?

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

I don't have a salary guide, but I'm in the "quit!" corner.

No one needs to put up with that crap. Your job isn't your life and there are litally *thousands* of good jobs out there that pay excellent money for your skills.

Someone once told me to write down the number of times you say you hate your job/place of employment. If you get to three, you have to decide - quit the job or quit saying you hate the job. This is designed to point out you don't have to keep taking a bad situation.

Life's about good stuff & yicky job situations ain't one of 'em.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

Kristin, you beat me to it!

Yes, Kat, you now have your boss over a barrel. By telling you that:

1.) You're taking the blame

and

2.) You're still on the project, even though the client thinks you're not,

your boss is, in effect, giving the reins over to you. At any time, it could be made clear that you're on this project, in which case it doesn't matter one whit whether or not your boss wants you to take the fall, since the client asked your boss to remove you. If they get wind of the fact that you're still there, your boss is a liar, in their eyes.

I think one of the things which shows whether or not you're what corporate America likes to call a "team player" is the willingness to take the blame when something that isn't anybody's fault (or is the client's fault) goes wrong. By telling you that you're the "fall guy," your boss is trusting you to take the blame and continue working in a professional manner. That's a lot of responsibility.

If your raise is affected, then I suggest walking. Or at least making it decidedly clear to your boss that you won't help to deceive a client. That could mean a quick change of outlook, and a change of heart over money.

-- Anonymous, May 17, 2000

So Kat,
How did it go? Do we get an update?

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2000

Thanks for all the help. You all made me feel a lot better. I actually feel really bad for my boss right now, if you can believe it. This client is even harder on him than he was on me. And Boss made a point of telling me none of this was my fault and desperately asked me what he should do. We're working through it as best we can.

The review is tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice about salaries. It really helped. I also interviewed someone last night who has my job at another company and makes double what I do. Tomorrow better be good, that's all I can say. I'll let you all know.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2000

Not to sound jaded, but....

Past experience has taught me that a boss seeking your 'help' in dealing with a hard situation is very often a ploy used to get you to be a team player again without getting your needs met.

Still ask for what you deserve! If he is in the same situation, he's going to understand and support your position.

-- Anonymous, May 18, 2000

Thanks to everyone for all the resources. The review this morning couldn't have been better. Not only did my boss write glowing things about me but he gave me an enormous raise--like 70%. Believe me, it wasn't out of guilt. It's a long story but my previous salary was shockingly low. We had a heart-to-heart the night before so we both came into the review as friends again. I love my job again!

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2000