My role is not clear, and my pay is low. I want out, but where to?

I am not happy with my current job as a health records officer in a hospital. My role is not clear, and offers low pay. I’ve considered applying for other jobs, but I feel I should further my education instead. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • You cannot say your salary is low without facts. You need to find out how much your peers are earning, as well as others who hold a similar position in other hospitals of similar size.
  • However, note that your peers could be earning more if they have been in the role longer, since they have enjoyed annual reviews.
  • You are on the right path in terms of pursuing a degree program. My advice would be that you consider taking a part time degree program and continue working.

Q. I am not happy with my current job as a health records officer in a hospital. My role is not clear, and offers low pay.

I’ve considered applying for other jobs, but I feel I should further my education instead, through a bachelor’s degree.

Should I quit my job and focus on school or should I consider part-time classes to help out since they will be paying my school fees?

 

From your CV, you are a young person with a promising future, but you have limited experience as you have only worked for three years.

Define your role by including all your responsibilities and discuss with your manager to sign off a role profile. There could also be other responsibilities that you fulfill, but they are not associated with that role; include them as well. Pay is usually associated with the responsibilities in a role, now that you don’t have a clearly defined one, then your supervisor may not fully understand the role, hence the underpayment.

Also, you cannot say your salary is low without facts. You need to find out how much your peers are earning, as well as others who hold a similar position in other hospitals of similar size. However, note that your peers could be earning more if they have been in the role longer, since they have enjoyed annual reviews.

Consider also informal discussions with your peers, especially those who have worked longer than you to understand how the role is perceived and also find out why your predecessor left. Scale up your performance for the next six months to one year, and if your salary has not improve, have a candid talk with your supervisor and clearly outline that the current salary is not meeting your basic needs, even though you enjoy your work and are happy to work with him as your boss and in the hospital.

You are on the right path in terms of pursuing a degree program. My advice would be that you consider taking a part time degree program and continue working. Your parents have already invested in you and are still willing to continue, so show them goodwill by taking care of your other expenses.

Remember that the experience you gain with your current employer will be a competitive advantage when you eventually get an opportunity to attend an interview with a potential employer.

Meanwhile, start scouting for an alternative job in a different organisation if you see no hope in your current employer reviewing your salary.