I've been working for a company for 2 years. For the first 1.5 years I was in my home country, and I asked to transfer to the current location, in another country. My manager sent me a proposal and a new contract (with a standard 6 months probation). The money was not what I hoped for, but way better than before.
In the same email, he mentioned that I would have access to a company apartment until I find something for me and my family, and also that we would review the compensation package after 6 months.
First issue: I thought the company apartment would be free, but it wasn't. They asked me for a small amount (about 50% of the market price). Cheap, but... not free like I thought. I only stayed at the place for a couple of months then moved to a bigger place that can fit my family (which is not at a discounted price).
After 6 months had passed, I asked him about the review, he said something like "You didn't understand correctly, I was referring to the annual company-wide raise" (which is not true, the email is pretty clear). This annual raise usually is around 5%, each year. I was disappointed, but I thought that I should wait for another couple of months and see, as the raise usually happens before Christmas. It is now 2017, and apparently the company is not doing the 5% increase for everybody this year.
I love what I do and the team is okay too, but I am really disappointed right now.
Should I approach my manager about this? I'm not a talker. I get emotional pretty quickly and can't find my words. Especially when I'm not speaking my native language.
I already created profiles on job portals and I am updating my CV. I am willing to switch jobs, even commute a little if the money is better. As far as I can tell my current pay is quite below the market median for my experience and industry.
LATER EDIT: one year has passed since I asked for your help. I did talk to my manager, nothing happened. In fact, he quit the company a few months later. I talked to the new guy, and he did give me a raise, around 7%. However, I also started to go to interviews. I am now working for another company, where 2-3 days a week I work from home, the other 2-3 I commute by train for about 1 hour each way (I read about 4 books a month now, which is nice :D). My salary with the new company is about 28% higher (including the bonuses), and my new boss also offered my SO a job, which came in as a nice surprise. The ttoal family income is now about 70% higher. Things are going a lot better for my family. :)
LATER EDIT 2: The second manager, that one that did gave me the raise, also quit after only a couple of months. So probably the problem there is in the higher management...