Oper-Nate-or's journey

I am currently facing a challenging situation at my job where I've been working as a key player in my department for the past 1.5 years. I was the first hire in my team, and now our department is merging with a larger one. This transition has been difficult, especially since half of our HR team has left, and communication has been inconsistent. My current salary is 30k, and I am considering asking for a raise to 36k, which would be a 20% increase. My role has expanded significantly; I handle support work for our product, often managing around 20 support tickets a day while also running training sessions for my colleagues. I've created training materials and maintain a Slack channel to share resources, ensuring that everyone is up to speed with the new processes. Despite my contributions, I haven't received a raise in the last cycle, and many in the company, including myself, are struggling financially. With the upcoming increase in minimum wage, I will effectively be earning 20% less in real terms by January. I've expressed my concerns to my manager, who acknowledges the situation but has warned me not to get my hopes up regarding a raise. I am also aware that the bonus structure is complicated and often unattainable, making my financial situation even more precarious. I feel that my contributions are undervalued, and I am determined to advocate for a salary that reflects my work and the responsibilities I have taken on.