I work in a small, established company. Before getting a job at my company, I was a stay home mom. I worked in an office for a few years before that.

I completed a two year degree directly related to my job, and an internship, and my company hired me when I had no experience in the industry, but I came recommended by the person I did my internship with. Also I earned straight As and had no trouble grasping the material in school.

I was hired at 15 an hour, and obtained 16 an hour at my one year review.

Around my year review, my bosses were unhappy with the performance of another staff member who had a superior position to mine (only two total staff). They tried to replace her for months and couldn’t find a fit, or someone who could do a better job (than me Or her). At her year mark, they found a replacement for her and she was let go. However, instead of using the new hire as a replacement, they put the new hire in my spot and promoted me, and told me they would pay me 18 an hour. They told me they wanted to promote me because they are happy with my work, and think I have a particular skill they think is important.

Good thing they promoted me, because the new hire was hopeless and they had to let her go after a couple months. They found a replacement, and paid her 17 an hour with apparent promise to revisit pay at 3 months. She had decades in the industry and she made less than me. She ended up being let go within 6 months for a few reasons. When they started to interview for a replacement. I felt concerned that they would pay someone more to do my old job then they were paying me in my new position when I saw an ad online. I figured they were going to pay the low end, but still there was potential I would be paid less than whoever might take my old position. I believe they were thinking they had to offer more money to get quality people in for an interview.

I heard what they were willing to pay a temp—$20-25 (to the temp, not counting fees), and I made a comment to one boss that if they are paying more for my old job, then I’ll take my old job back. I believe I was damn good at it and could juggle more than most. But I was completely joking and said so, and said I was enjoying my new position.

I feel like I have been doing a fine job in my new role, and I often end up doing my job and my old job at the same time due to the unreliability of others. I am backlogged due to turnover. I haven’t had time to focus on learning and growing as much as I want to be, due to turnover and to covering when the other staff is continually sick and out.

I’ve also been experiencing an extremely difficult home situation. I feed my family from the food bank and can only afford the mortgage and utilities (almost). I worked diligently through so many set backs and have been dependable and responsible, and have tried not to let my home life affect my work product. I have made some mistakes, not sure how serious necessarily, but any mistake I’ve made is small and remedied. Just lack of experience some times, and lack of focus other times, which I regret, but i can understand and accept that I have my limits and am not perfect.

New girl started today. I understand she has more years in field-5 years. I very accidentally saw her employment contract sitting on the front desk. She left it sitting there. Pay is like 20 or 21, can’t remember because I was in shock. So paid more to do my old job.

Maybe they r restructuring.
Or Maybe that’s what they had to pay to get someone they think they can count on? I don’t think the new person has done more advanced things than I have after talking to her, but I don’t know much about her at all.

So, if anyone made it through all that, please give me some feedback based on the very basic facts I’ve listed above. I have my two year mark, and I plan to ask for a review if they haven’t scheduled one already. I plan to write something up about where I’m at and where I want to go in my role, but I am not sure what rate to ask for. What makes sense? Thank you for any advice...