Salary increase - how long of a wait is too long?

Question

First, a little bit of background:

I've been in this company for a little over 2 years. We were a small team of 3 people managing and developing the tools for our companies (we are the HQ). Almost 5 months ago, one of our colleagues left and since then I am having an increased number of tasks. Over these 2 years I have learned a lot and now I'm faster and more efficient at completing tasks and am able to tackle more complex matters too.

Salary history

This job was advertised as "the minimum salary for this job is xx$". And since before this job I've done a one year internship and it was the first "real" job plus the fact that it was matching perfectly with what I've done for one year and it also was what I wanted to continue with, I didn't try to negotiate this minimum offered salary out of fear of not getting the job. Fast forward 1 year later, I was waiting for the first employee appraisal in the hopes that I will be able to get a salary increase. Unfortunately, the management decided they want to change the direction in which the company is going and my boss was let go. Shortly after, we got a new boss and nobody had his appraisal that year from the department. Waited almost another year for the next appraisal, for which I have asked multiple times, over a time span of 2 months, and finally had the meeting and at the end of the meeting finally asked for a raise.

Off-topic: The raise mentioned above is quite big in %, almost 30% but considering that even with that raise for my current experience I will be on par with the job market or even lower. I am not justifying my asked increase based on the fact that I've been doing this for over 2 years, but based on the market and what they would need to spend to replace me. I'd like to point out that I received a positive feedback in the appraisal and was told to keep up the good work.

Back to the salary negotiation

I didn't get a no from my boss for my asked raise, just that he needs to talk to HR. I was pretty happy back then because I thought that even if in the event in which I wasn't to going to get exactly what I asked for, I would be happy with even a slightly lower increase (20-25%). Now 3 months and a half passed and I have asked 4 times about the status of my request and stating that this is important to me not only due to the financial part but this would reflect how the company values me. Every time, I get more or less the same answer: still waiting for an answer from HR (my boss has a very important position in the company and probably he is not being honest as this salary increase should be very well in his power).

Notes:

This question is not about the %. As mentioned before, I didn't get a "no" for one second or a remark that it's too much.

I love working here and I have spend a lot of time to learn the specifics of this company, I would like to do everything in my power to avoid leaving.

The company is looking for months for someone to replace the colleague who left and they haven't been able to do it so far (mostly because with the set of skills asked, those people are already working as consultants and earning more). Note: the colleague which left the company, left for the same reason: asked for a raise and he got a "no". But at least he got an answer pretty fast...

Question

How should I continue from here? Should I try to be more pushy and ask again if he's (boss) happy with my performance and if the answer is "yes" then go ahead and ask firmly to have my situation finalized. Is it normal that it takes this long for an answer, or this would show a complete lack of interest for the employee? My goal is to at least get a "no" or a "yes", tired of waiting.

Edit: Probably not a duplicate of "How to approach my boss if I'm feeling underpaid". I have already read that even before I had my first negotiation and followed the advices there to discus about my achievements and why I should I be getting a raise. Now it's a matter of done that and now what?

Edit nr. 2: Since I can't add a comment to Joe's answer due to the low reputation, I'll type additional info here. First of all, thank you Joe, long time reader of your answers here. My boss talked to HR for sure at least once, because there was also the discussion if they should change my contract type to have more hours included, to that HR sent back quite fast a "no" because I am not above a certain trigger that they are having. I know that they can't afford losing another team member because due to the specifics of the job, it takes 6 months to 1 year to get familiarized with all the custom tools and how they are built (can be faster for a fast learner). Now, I don't know why would HR drag this, the only reason I could think of, is they are first looking for a replacement for my colleague and once they have that they will say "no" to me.

Answer 1

How should I continue from here?

Two years without a raise. Three and a half months after you asked for a raise, and four reminders about how important this was to you and nothing has changed. Your boss indicates that he is "waiting to hear from HR". Colleague left because he wouldn't get a raise. Not good signs.

Either your boss never really talked with HR. Or HR is intentionally dragging things out. Or nobody wants to deliver the bad news to you.

To me this says it's time to consider your other options.

Depending on the market for your particular skills, you could choose to update your resume and start looking elsewhere. Or you could just hang in there and hope for the best and maybe end up with no raise.

Answer 2

TL;DR

Perhaps you should start searching for a new job.

I've noticed a trend on this forum that almost every answer is "resign". But in this case I tend to agree.

Background

I am in a similar situation as yours. I had been working for an employer for 3 years, but no increase. Even after a promotion. So I finally asked for one and my manager was very agreeable and passed it up the channel.

It took him over a year and escalating 2 levels above him to just get an answer from HR. But I kept hanging on trying to be optimistic. Hoping that my hard work would be appreciated. Eventually they buckled and replied with "we don't give increases".

My manager continued the struggle and last month they conceded and gave me a 20% increase. It sounds like a lot, but they had been underpaying so badly that I am still earning less than half of what I feel I deserve.

Luckily after being ignored for 3 months I could foresee how it was going to transpire. So I started searching for a new job in the meantime. Tomorrow is my last day here and I am ecstatic to finally break free, but I wasted years of my life and lost hundreds of thousands of monies from being underpaid. I am so angry with myself for waiting so long to stand up for myself.

Don't make the same mistake I did.

Answer 3

From your question, it sounds like you're asking for a near 30% raise.

A raise this size for anyone is extremely unlikely

Two years without a raise isn't unheard of. It sounds like you're already significantly underpaid, and the company isn't doing anything to rectify this.

Being 30% underpaid is a huge red flag

Now 3 months and a half passed and I have asked 4 times about the status of my request

Your boss and HR have had plenty of time to process the request and at least give you a "no" answer. You should assume you will not get a raise based on the amount of time that has passed.

I love working here and I have spend a lot of time to learn the specifics of this company, I would like to do everything in my power to avoid leaving.

Especially since this is your first real job, you're assessment of the company and how much you love working there may not be as objective as it could be.

I'd update your resume, and go on a few job interviews. See what else is out there, and if a 30% raise is really doable for you. You can always say no to a job offer.

Answer 4

How should I continue from here?

Long story short, start looking for a new job if you haven't already.

I love working here and I have spend a lot of time to learn the specifics of this company, I would like to do everything in my power to avoid leaving.

I get from this comment that you're comfortable with everything else besides your salary at this company, but as you mention it is a big deal and you haven't received an answer in +3 months. Start looking for a new job and once you have an offer you would have a better hand in the negotiation.