Asking for a rise... Cheeky or not?

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Soldato
Joined
19 Dec 2003
Posts
3,105
Location
UK
Hey all,

I have been in my job 2 years now, previously a team of 3, now a team of 2.

When downsized to 2 (the other guy actually left) the responsibility increased etc, but pay did not reflect it much, at the time, I had a £2k rise which WAS fair, in the team of 3, but now in 2, I feel I should be rewarded with a far higher basic wage.

Often work longer hours than 'official hours' if one of us is away, on hol etc etc the workload is increased heavily, bear in mind it's a support role for a WORLWIDE company... So a lot of dependancy.

Anyway, i've written a 4 page description on why I think I deserve a rise etc, but am struggling to send it, quite nervous I suppose, but also, I don't want to be seen to be 'going over' my managers head, as we get on well, but it's life isnt it, money is important and im not getting any younger.

I know if I approach my manager I will probably be told an excuse about how no one gets rises or reviews at the moment, and quickly the subject would be changed.

If I send it ABOVE him, to the head of the dept, along with a very senior staff member, and mention to keep it confidential, surely somewhere my manager will find out and it will feel awkward?

I give plenty of examples in my letter about reasons for a rise, and mentioning the current climate, but answering it with the current salary I am on being way below the average for that role.

I guess they can only say yes or no... But I still find myself hovering over the 'send' button!
 
The best approve is just to chat to your manager in person, I have done it once and was very worried about the possible outcome. Lucky for me it mostly went the way I was hoping.

Good luck :)
 
Pulsedriver said:
I know if I approach my manager I will probably be told an excuse about how no one gets rises or reviews at the moment, and quickly the subject would be changed.

If I send it ABOVE him, to the head of the dept, along with a very senior staff member, and mention to keep it confidential, surely somewhere my manager will find out and it will feel awkward?
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Can't you ask him for advice? Then if he tells you it will get denied, tell him you're applying for it anyway and you'd appreciate if he put in a good word for you. So you're going above his head with his blessing/help.
 
Don't do it by e-mail. Request a 1-to-1. Smile a lot. Make your case. Smile. Be gracious. Grovel. Make a few light jokes. Laugh. Smile. Then repeat your request.

Never send a 4 page document detailing the reasons. This requires negotiation on a verbal level at least to ascertain the mood of your boss and your company.
 
As said above

Don't send an e-mail! It looks cowardly

Just prepare what you want to send in your mind and go and see him. Pick a good time when he's not too busy or irritated either!

Good luck! :)
 
Problem is, in the company there is never a chance to just walk in and have a chat about it, everyone is always too busy, email is the preferred contact in that place.

As for direct manager, literally I guarantee it will be a reply like "no one is getting a rise, people are happy to be in a job in this climate..." then the phone will ring he or I will answer, and then i'll never hear anything else about it, or mid-convo when im trying to explain a staff member will walk in and interrupt or something like that.

The only way to involve my direct manager (team of 2, he is one I am the other!) would be to CC him in the email, and tell him once i've sent it... "im not going over your head, just I feel this is the best method of contacting everyone in the department in relation to my request"
 
4 pages :p Dude that's an essay, I'd be saying why aren't you working instead of writing documents on how to get more munneh, lol

Condense it into 5-6 bullet points and offer to discuss at further length I reckon.

Only you know though, if you don't ask you won't get! :p
 
lol I know I even impressed myself, I never wrote an essay at college let alone now!

...Did I say it was 4 pages of size 110 font? :p j/k!

Im on a salary of 20k, and im asking for 24-25k. I know the guy who used to work with us was on more than that too.
Over a year, thats not a lot to a company, IF the person is worth it.
I have an email I have a SS of, that I plan to attach to the review request, praising me for my attitude late last year... and that it would see me well.
I've also made a point that it's bringing my salary into line, and that I dont expect such rises every year, it is purely to bring into line due to the department changes.


Mind you... I might get a 'sod off no way of a rise' followed by a 'what a rubbish attitude' LOL!
 
Pulsedriver said:
The only way to involve my direct manager (team of 2, he is one I am the other!) would be to CC him in the email, and tell him once i've sent it... "im not going over your head, just I feel this is the best method of contacting everyone in the department in relation to my request"
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Ok, now this makes sense. This sounds like a tricky situation, because you are performing a lot of the work your boss is ultimately responsible for, but ultimately you (as the worker) are getting sod all in recompensation for undertaking an increased workload in a 1-to-1 line management scenario. This can never work in the long term.

Ultimately there are two situations that should arise:
1) Your boss take on more staff to support you, i.e. he/she manager 2+ staff rather than just one.
2) There is not enough work to justify his/her role in the structure, i.e. you can perform their role in reporting to managers at the same time as doing your day-to-day responsibilities.

You first need to challenge yourself - do you want a fairly easy life (1) or are you willing to step up and challenge your boss (2)?

Ultimately I think from what you've said your line manager is a block to your progession, but you need support from his/her manager and/or other managers before attempting a coup.
 
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I have support from his manager, for sure, but I don't want to challenge my line managers position, I am quite happy with working underneath him, I just feel my salary needs to be adjusted to the point where I feel it is more fair.

If they brought a person in below me, they'd have to at least pay them, say £16k, train them on the systems we use, not to mention ensure that they have a good rapport with the existing staff, I pride myself on being 100% approachable and smily, never patronising to any staff member even if they say "my mouse isnt working" and it isnt plugged in etc...

For that £16k, they employ someone, or they raise my salary, small in comparison and in terms of no extra work or training needed, and thus allowing me to be even more motivated and aiming to impress.
 
E-Mail him and ask to schedule a chat/meeting. Personally I would never send an e-mail requesting/with reasons for a raise.
 
Pulsedriver said:
I have support from his manager, for sure, but I don't want to challenge my line managers position, I am quite happy with working underneath him, I just feel my salary needs to be adjusted to the point where I feel it is more fair.

If they brought a person in below me, they'd have to at least pay them, say £16k, train them on the systems we use, not to mention ensure that they have a good rapport with the existing staff, I pride myself on being 100% approachable and smily, never patronising to any staff member even if they say "my mouse isnt working" and it isnt plugged in etc...

For that £16k, they employ someone, or they raise my salary, small in comparison and in terms of no extra work or training needed, and thus allowing me to be even more motivated and aiming to impress.
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It sounds like you're an approachable guy and are trying to do the right thing, but ultimately you are jobsharing with your boss. This is not a good situation, because you have probably advanced to a point where you feel you can challenge them. Like I said, in a 1-to-1 line management situation this cannot work. But first you should try a verbal 1-to-1 meeting with him, because if this doesn't work, at least you can say you tried.
 
There are times when I get told a solution to something and I think to myself " I already know that... I don't need to be told" but im not the type to answer back or be sarcastic, I just keep my head down and do my job to the best of my ability.

There is enough work for both of us, my boss ultimately does the more senior things, and deals with the senior management in those particular situations.
 
To be honest, If you work for a world wide company like you say you do then your manager isnt going to have the power to give a you a payrise, his managers manager probably doesnt either. This sort of thing isnt decided locally at your office, it will come from your head office..

Wont hurt asking though..
 
4 pages?

You should spend more time working and less time writing reasons why you think you should be paid more :p

If you're asking for a pay rise, do it face to face.
 
Email requesting a 1 to 1 meeting, if you email your payrise proposal it can be dismissed a lot easier without any thought

MW
 
Just chat with him about it first and make your points to him in person. Otherwise it could look a little like a demand for a pay rise, despite your intention for it not too, if a 4 page e-mail slams into his inbox one afternoon
 
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