Promoted within 1st month – Same rate

[VanHelsing]

I use to hold senior Project Manager positions for several years, but after being in the bench for the last 6 months I’ve decided to take up a filler job outside of my industry just to keep the lights on. As everybody in this situation, I didn’t negotiate at all the offered rate and took the first offer the agent propose me as a Project Manager. Less than a month into my job, my employer aware of my potential from the interview, gave me a Programme Manager’s job, where I’m in charge of several Project Managers. The problem is, in that group between me and first line charter who work for me, I’m the lowest paid contractor.
Don’t know how to handle it: It does feel very uncomfortable for the fact that I get paid less then my Project Managers, but I do understand that probably raising this issue within the first month would be not a wise thing to do. My 3 months short term contract became now a 2 years perspective long term job. I’ve start liking the job, and probably would commit myself for longer than 3 months, as longer the pay is right.
The dilemma is: Should I raise this issue with my agent now (too soon?), or wait until the renewal time (too late?). In the other end, it’s not the job description I’ve signed up for. I know the job descriptions can include almost everything; “... not limited to ...”, but these are clearly two different job weight categories.
Anyone?

[pmeswani]

Speak to the agency and tell them what has happened. Tell them that you are prepared to walk unless your rate has increased in line with added responsibilities. Either that, or accept the rate and wait for the contract renewal and negotiate.

[northernladuk]

i would be nervous talking to agent initially. it wouldnt be unheard of for them to gain a new rate and not pass a bean of it on. if anything i would speak to both parties to make sure the process goes smoothly and no one is going to screw anyone else!

[TheFaQQer]

FFS - you're a contractor, you don't get promoted.

So, either you get a new contract with a new rate commensurate with the new role that they are suggesting you take, or you stay as a project manager.

If you are stupid enough to take on the extra work without any thought to any additional compensation then more fool you - you are in business, so act like it.

Alternatively, WTF do you care that people working for you have a higher daily rate than you? I knew plenty of more junior consultants at Oracle that were on a par with my salary when I left - if it's a problem then walk.

[cojak]

Negotiate during your next extension. The client ought to see that they got you on the cheap and will want to keep you.

Not much you can do about it mid-contract in these straitened times, I'm afraid...

[Not So Wise]

More responsibility with no more pay is not a “promotion” it’s being taken for a ride (not that contractors get promoted anyway, but that’s whole different issue)

[norrahe]

Negotiate during your next extension. The client ought to see that they got you on the cheap and will want to keep you.

Not much you can do about it mid-contract in these straitened times, I'm afraid...

I would agree with cojak on this, best to wait till renewal and then renegotiate.

[BolshieBastard]

FFS - you're a contractor, you don't get promoted.

So, either you get a new contract with a new rate commensurate with the new role that they are suggesting you take, or you stay as a project manager.

If you are stupid enough to take on the extra work without any thought to any additional compensation then more fool you - you are in business, so act like it.

Alternatively, WTF do you care that people working for you have a higher daily rate than you? I knew plenty of more junior consultants at Oracle that were on a par with my salary when I left - if it's a problem then walk.

WHS + 1.

Surely you asked for a higher rate for the new job when the client said they wanted you to do it?

bolted, horse, stabledoor?

[VanHelsing]

Thanks ALL for the advices; I’ll give it a go and negotiate at the extension time. I think is the most sensible thing to do.