[honeychile]

My favorite method of being assertive in cases such as this is sometimes called the chicken method, but if you're willing to dig in your heels, it works every time. It's the broken record.

You decide what you NEED to convey, for instance (and I don't know how much this is true): "I have been here 9 months, have had to train five secretaries, and am now getting paid less than the one I have. I need a raise."

He will respond something to the effect of, "Well, she has a child..."

You repeat, "I guess I didn't make myself clear - I have been here 9 months, have had to train five secretaries, and am now getting paid less than the one I have. I need a raise."

He says that good secretaries are hard to find.

You repeat, "I know - I have been here 9 months, have had to train five secretaries, and am now getting paid less than the one I have. I need a raise."

and on and on, repeating the same thing until he starts to realize that you're standing pat on this. The bottom line is that you DID train five secretaries, and YOU have nothing to do with her having a child, and it does not speak well for his company! Honestly, I have yet to see this method fail - Good luck!!