Negotiating a pay rise?

PaulStat

PaulStat

PaulStat

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I'm in the process of doing a bit of research regarding negotiating a pay rise, and one of the main points people point out is timing.

So some background, last year (not financial year) we made a loss, we've made a loss in the first quarter of this year and recently one person was made redundant, however, said person has now landed a job at our American office, I am paid about 34% less than the equivalent people in my office and we're due to sign a big deal this month (which I will be doing most of the work for) which will bring us level again. So is now good timing?

If so what's the best way to proceed, email boss asking if I can have a meeting to discuss my current salary or just go and knock on his door without notice?
 
Personally I've only ever asked for a payrise on the back of another job offer, so if they say no I can slap my notice straight on the desk (nicely, of course!). At that point they either say 'nice knowing you' or 'er, can we talk about this'.
 
Now is a perfect time as i'm sure they'll be able to forecast your salary increase into the costs for the new deal.

I suggest creating a meeting called catch up or similar, and in advance, prepare a document that details why you should recieve a pay rise, what you offer above and beyond others, and how your work exceeds the expected remit of your role.

If you can demonstrate/convey that the work you'll be performing for the new deal is likely to be of high value given your past experience, then it'll set you in good stead.

Once in the meeting, discuss with him how you feel and leave the letter with him to mull over, requesting when would be good to catch up again. It's important that this letter covers everything that sets you apart, without putting anyone else down.
 
I dont think it can hurt asking the question if you ask it in a professional manner backing up your reason for asking. If your doing all the footwork on said project and are a key player as you say they should see that your important to the company and reward you. Just dont go in expecting to be paid the same as others you work with. Anything is a bonus at the end of the day.

One thing to not do is bring up that your not being paid as much as others if your company/HR are funny about you knowing what others earn(you could get said person in trouble for disclosing how much they earn). If they arent they go for it but most are.
 
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Give your senior some notice that you want to talk about a few things in private, so that he doesn't think it's about something small like the tea bags you buy in or the state of the toilets.

If you can't justify a pay rise then you probably don't deserve one but if you can then there's no reason why you shouldn't get one.

It'll depend on how the company works I guess as to whether they like to keep everyone on similar salaries and yours has been over looked.

A change of role, period of increased performance or long & beneficial service would be the main reasons for a raise.

I'd clarify that you're after a raise initially, once that has been approved then begin meeting to discuss the amount. Depending on how big or small your company is it's unlikely you'll be promised X amount on the spot. It'll probably take a few days or weeks to work out and saves you being misled.

I'm in the process of negotiating a raise myself, awaiting my letter from HR. Taken about 2 months so far because we've had to shift my senior due to our pay being a bit too similar and her salary not being negotiated very well when she transfered to this project. It also needed signing off by superiors as it was above X%.

Be patient as it probably won't be instant.
 
good well I'm pretty sure I have a good case, I've been here over 6 years now to be honest I feel it's long overdue. I haven't tried in the past as it didn't bother me too much and I was living well within my means, but my circumstances have changed in the last year (baby).
 
vonhelmet said:
I can't comment on the timing, but I'd definitely e-mail him first.
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Would you email a girl for a date? Would you email the police if you had a problem? No

Go to your boss and ask him in person "hope you are not too busy, can I have a quick word?"

If you are important enough to your company and deserve a pay rise, why under value yourself by using emails. Make your voice heard!

Emails should only be used once you have a business deal... everything before should be in person or over the telephone. If your boss says "Im busy send me an email" this is a brush off. Be firm and ask for what you want with confidence.
 
Vegetarian said:
Would you email a girl for a date? Would you email the police if you had a problem? No

Go to your boss and ask him in person "hope you are not too busy, can I have a quick word?"

If you are important enough to your company and deserve a pay rise, why under value yourself by using emails. Make your voice heard!

Emails should only be used once you have a business deal... everything before should be in person or over the telephone. If your boss says "Im busy send me an email" this is a brush off. Be firm and ask for what you want with confidence.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't presume to be able to discuss a payrise with someone with no notice.
 
Vegetarian said:
Would you email a girl for a date? Would you email the police if you had a problem? No

Go to your boss and ask him in person "hope you are not too busy, can I have a quick word?"
Click to expand...

This is how I apporached mine at first, in person.

Once he knew what it was I would want to be talking about I sent e-mail asking to chat later in the day when he had a spare minute. The section of the office i work in is small and quiet so colleagues ears would be pricking up if I keep asking him to speak in private.

6 years with no raise at all? nothing to account for inflation? I think you're definitely due something!
 
I think any reasonable employer would accept that you want to discuss you salary.

I have personally only done this once but when I did I popped in to my managers office and asked if it would be possible to have some time to have a chat. He agreed and asked me to come back at the end of the day.

I asked,... put my case forward and left it with them to come back to me. As it happens I didnt get anything but did get a payrise withing the next six months if I remember corecly.

If you need to be prepared for the fact that they might say no and be able to deal with that.

Otherwise... why not ask!
 
vonhelmet said:
I wouldn't presume to be able to discuss a payrise with someone with no notice.
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Does that mean a tentative email is your only other option though?

'Do you have a spare minute?'

*Walk in, shut door. The Shutting door triggers an innate fear, deep within boss's mind; he knows something major is going down.*

'Sure, what can I do for you'.

'I'd like to discuss what I feel I bring to the company, and discuss my feeling that my current salary doesn't adequately reflect my contributions to the company or my value in the marketplace.'

Either

'Ah, I see. Can we do this tomorrow, say 10am?'

or

'Ok, I'm listening.'

results.

At least you've said it to his face rather than hiding behind an email.
 
Robbie G said:
Does that mean a tentative email is your only other option though?

'Do you have a spare minute?'

*Walk in, shut door. The Shutting door triggers an innate fear, deep within boss's mind; he knows something major is going down.*

'Sure, what can I do for you'.

'I'd like to discuss what I feel I bring to the company, and discuss my feeling that my current salary doesn't adequately reflect my contributions to the company or my value in the marketplace.'

Either

'Ah, I see. Can we do this tomorrow, say 10am?'

or

'Ok, I'm listening.'

results.

At least you've said it to his face rather than hiding behind an email.
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Top answer!!

thats the one. As long as you dont go in demanding whats the worst that could happen
 
PaulStat said:
good well I'm pretty sure I have a good case, I've been here over 6 years now to be honest I feel it's long overdue. I haven't tried in the past as it didn't bother me too much and I was living well within my means, but my circumstances have changed in the last year (baby).
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Always negotiate the pay rise before the deal goes through if you’re doing a lot of the work for it. You can have it deferred and conditional on successfully securing the deal though.

It is a lot harder to negotiate a deal once you have played your hand, in this case won the contract, unless you are a) indispensible to the company and b) have another job you can go to.

In general it is hard enough to negotiate a pay rise anyway unless you are a) indispensible to the company and b) have another job you can go to even if you arn't on the pinacle of bringing in big revenue.
 
Robbie G said:
'I'd like to discuss what I feel I bring to the company, and discuss my feeling that my current salary doesn't adequately reflect my contributions to the company or my value in the marketplace.'
Click to expand...

That couldn't have been better put.

Also pointing out what extra you have to give than when you first started.
 
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