Being underpaid or overworked?

I can't Afford to Quit But I Can't Afford To Stay

By Julia Karimi
We've all pondered quitting our jobs. But unfortunately, for many people the choice is not that easy. After all, having a job means earning a paycheck. But what if that paycheck barely pays enough to cover your bills and expenses?
It's common for workers to think they aren't paid enough and for various reasons. Sometimes it's because of the number of hours they work, or it may relate to their job duties. It could be that associated job duties are
complex in nature, or it could be just simply that the duties
that they are charged with would typically be assigned to someone in a more senior role at another company.

Whether you're truly underpaid or not, if you're barely earning enough money to pay the bills, your choices of what to do are limited. But continuing to work in a job where you're barely making ends meet can cause burnout and other issues.

If you're just scraping by it can have a negative effect on your work product, attitude and general level of competency. Your level of concentration and focus can be affected, because you're thinking about other personal issues. A negative home-life environment because of financial pressures and work environment together can be a recipe for disaster and can cause problems on both fronts.

Fortunately, there are ways to cope. Here are five tips:

1. Start with your current employer.

It's not enough to think you are unpaid -- you have to know if you are. I know many people will be agreeing to. Research your wage compared with the industry and find out where you stand. Think of ways you can be immediately more valuable to your employer.

2. Ask for a raise

But make sure it's justified. Many people think they are entitled to a wage simply because they are. It can't just be that you can't afford to pay your bills and the employer will be thinking “that’s not my problem.” However, if your job duties have increased or you have been given more responsibility, then you may be justified in asking for a raise. If this is feasible, prepare your case thoroughly. Have facts and figures available so that you can negotiate intelligently and have the information to back up your request.

3. Make time to look for a new job.

Carve out sometime during the week to look for another opportunity that would pay you more. Look for opportunities within the company first, where you have a proven track record and good references. Look at competitor companies, too. The key is to take the time to do so. Wake up a few hours earlier every day to scour the websites and agencies that are open or even take one hour for lunch to search for them. Submit your CV to different companies, or attend a networking event once a week after work. Be proactive rather than reactive to your financial woes. Doing something about your situation will help you also feel more positive.

4. Take on a side job.

Use this time to exercise your creative juices rather than wallow in the negative aspects of the situation. If your profession, hobby or skills can make extra money on the side, without presenting a conflict to your current employer, go for it. If that's not an option, try having a yard sale to bring in some extra cash

5. Adopt an attitude of gratitude.

Rather than surrounding yourself with negative and unproductive energy, try being grateful for your current situation, rather than surrounding it with negative and unproductive energy. There are still hundreds of thousands of people in Kenya that are out of work and would love to switch places with you. More than that, there are millions of people across the world living in poverty or war zones that would wish they were in your shoes right now so be a little grateful you have something.
Change your perspective on the situation.