<prompt> Human: I am the manager of my companys CRM database system. I generally get accolades, especially by those higher up at the firm. I was told by the head of my Dept that they see me in an executive leadership position. I have a feeling that my boss is feeling somewhat threatened by my movement, especially since I am being mentored by people above his level.In January after annual raise and review, I was given a team of one person under me, who manages financial transactions. Previously she was reporting to my boss. Managing her takes up at least 20 of my time and attention in an unrelated scope of work. In addition, my raise at year end was 3, no more than cost of living, if you ask me. 5 including annual shareholder bonus. I asked my boss about why it was so low, he said company was being stingy because of new President Trump economic uncertainty and wed revisit in a few months. If comparing my current title, I am at approx 20K below avg salary. Since then, weve decided to add another team member under me. I also manage a consulting firm relationship and will be managing a temporary consultant. After a few months in my new role I revisited the pay conversation. My boss told me that we dont give raises or promotions unless a major reorganization happens. He kept emphasizing that they only acknowledge growth at year end review and that they consider bonus as part of my salary so Im not underpaid according to him. To make matters worse, the base rate of this new hire with several years less experience, not manager role is set at only 9k less than mine. Oh, and, I am the only manager in my dept who does not have an office. I have a regular meeting with one of my mentors tomorrow my boss boss. I would like to bring this issue up. I am not sure if its appropriate, as it almost seems like Im going over my boss head. I am prepared to show evidence of average salary for my role, and advocate that I should be earning more since I manage the finance role and will be growing the team with new responsibilities. Do you think this is a bad move? Please share any advice to help me navigate this respectfully. Ive already approached my boss 2x. Ive typically been promoted with title change salary increase without having to bring it up at other companies.TLDR; Began managing a new team with new responsibility, no change in pay. Now am accepting even more responsibility and more team with no change in pay. Boss has no plans for raise or title change it seems until annual reviews. I dont want to keep doing 200 of the work for 3 in a cube. Halp!Edit: Also want to add, this is in Financial Services in NYC. Mid-size boutique firm known for being the leader of our niche within the industry. Assistant: You would absolutely break chain of command by doing that, and I cant think of a situation where it would ever be a good idea. A better approach would be to tell your boss that you need to have a meeting regarding your pay grade. You certainly warrant the raise, but going over your boss is not the way to make it happenHuman: Yeah thats what makes me hesitate. Since Ive approached it 2x already, I am not as confident in going that route. He seemed very dismissive last time.It seems very odd to me to have the workload and team increase exponentially without any raise or promotion. Ive never experienced this in my career.Assistant: Your boss is doing this keeping you at low pay with more work because he is being a successful manager. The company is paying him to get results out of his people, and he has you doing 3x the work for a tiny 3 raise. From the businesses end, hes doing a great job; Hell probably get a bonus just for that.You mentioned that you were already 20k below average salary for that job... would you be comfortable leaving? 20k raises dont tend to happen if you stay at one employer.Human: Ha, very good point. Youre right, hasnt he unloaded a ton of work without much investment! I hate to hop jobs, especially since they seem to value me unless its all about being fake?. The director of my dept took me to lunch and the entire discussion was about how great Im doing and how he sees my growth.. My boss boss asking for a regular one on one so we can collaborate more often. I guess its all part of the game to keep me. I will definitely be thinking of a different strategy. I can guarantee if I went to them with an offer in hand for 30K more they would meet it without question.  <response>: Chatting you up and buying you a lunch is a lot cheaper than giving you tens of thousands more dollars.The company should reflect how much they value you in how they pay for that value. Another company will, and theres no harm in at least applying around and seeing what theyre willing to offer you.Then you can get more than you even expected, and the satisfaction of telling your boss he has two weeks to replace you because you repeatedly asked to be paid what youre worth and was denied. 