You know how much work went into the year. Does the person reviewing your compensation know it, too?
In senior living, a great deal of valuable work becomes invisible once a problem is resolved. A department becomes more stable. A strained family relationship improves. A manager begins making sound decisions without checking every detail with you. The absence of a crisis rarely announces itself.
Waiting until your annual review to remember those contributions puts you at a disadvantage. Start a simple record now: the situation, the action you took, the result you observed, and the evidence behind it. Separate your contribution from the work of the team and from changes you cannot reasonably claim.
Choose three examples that matter to your employer. Perhaps you helped reduce agency reliance, improved move-in coordination, or developed a department head who can now handle a wider scope. Verify financial figures with the appropriate partner before using them. Keep resident, employee and company information in approved systems.
Then practice the request itself. “Here is how my responsibilities and contribution have developed. I would like to discuss how my compensation can reflect that.” A clear request gives the conversation somewhere to go. If an increase is unavailable, ask what criteria, timing and decision process would support another review.
Put it into practice: block 20 minutes this week to draft one contribution example and one compensation question. Coaching can help you examine the story you are telling about your value and prepare for the part of the conversation you keep avoiding. The employer still makes the compensation decision.
Share your perspective
What contribution do you find hardest to explain in your annual review? I would like to hear your experience—even if you see it differently.
Email Douglas your thoughts at douglas@thriveon365.com. No need to book a call to share a thought. Please leave out identifying resident, employee or confidential company information.
Douglas Blake | Executive Director & Coach · Explore coaching with Thrive On 365
