Advice: Getting large companies to pay you your worth

[Vanilla]

We've got a wide range of people here, some who have been working for many large companies and even working for HR.

I work for a well known IT company, a market leader. I've been there for 18 months.

Looking at job adverts for identical jobs i'm currently paid HALF the market rate for someone with my skill and experience. There are a few others at work in the same position as me.

I started off on a relatively low wage (for the industry). I had a pay rise recently which although nice was still a slap in the chops. Every appraisal i've had has got the top marks available.

I always get the usual 'our hands are tied, it's head office' talks. 'We're trying to do something for this October' etc. Usual stuff.

I think it's getting to the stage where the only way to get market rate is go somewhere where i'll get it (somewhere else).

My Questions

Those of you who know big companies - are their hands really tied or is this common practice (especially when you have many people in the same position, every month you delay is cheaper labour).

What is the likelyhood of getting double pay? As far as I know this is unheard of unless you've just handed your notice in and they want to keep you!

I'd hate to do the 'x company is going to pay me much more will you match it'. What I might do it tell them their pay is uncompetitive, if they don't make it competitive then i'll go. That way i'll have given them the chance to make it right before moving on. However can large companies up pay like that? After months of 'our hands are tied' I guess i'm not sure what they can and can't do.

Yes I have told them the pay sucks but I think it's time for the 'this isnt compeitive hint hint' chat.

 

[Vanilla]

Without knowing the full details of your job and company its hard to say but is your wage comparable to your co-workers? are you on a company pay scale? if it is then no chance will you get anything like a 100% increase. Large companies will go on what others in a similar postion to yourself are currently paid.

There are some people the same level on more. What really get's me is there are some new joiners who have no industry experience but i'm sure are on more than myself. Just shows that 'it depends'.

I accepted a low wage as I was quite wet behind the ears. Others I know for a fact told them to lump it so the company offered them more (some still took a pay cut to join).

Also these jobs that pay double are they in the same location are they exactly the same job, do they offer the same benifits as your current employer, is the pay dependant on expeience ?Just because a job is advertised at say "up to 30k" or "30k dependant on experience" doesn't mean you will start on 30k base when you join.

Same locations (London), pretty much the same job, some very similar, others are same industry and job but want me for competitive reasons.

 

[Vanilla]

It's a comon situation. Many poeple, some paid more than others, new joiners getting more, etc.

I've already been promoted three times internally. The position i'm in now is fully fledged....however at none of these promotions was I given I pay rise. Only the one rise a few weeks ago which really doesn't satisfy me. Nice place to work, but not for half price so to speak!

 

[Vanilla]

Thanks for the input

1) Convince your boss that you are really happy at the place and don't want to leave, but ..... etc. Do NOT make it sound like an ultimatum. And .... it can backfire.

Already done. I got the maximum he could give me (it is a percentage). As you say he has a pot to dish out.

2) Get another job offer, then use that to negotiate. But be aware, that may also mark you. If, on the other hand, you really do have unique skills, it's a strong move.

Personally I would never do this. As you say it would mark me. If I leave for another company citing 'better opportunities for me at this time' then I leave the door open to return. However if I try and get them to match it it kind of spoils things.

3) Leave. One of the reasons people often move jobs is precisely to increase pay. Firms often have to pay a recruitment bonus to get good staff in a competitive arena, andf that means less in the pot for existing staff ..... especially those that stay put through inertia, lack of ambition of lack of drive.

Yup, this is looking more likely. It's just the thought of doing it!

 

[Vanilla]

One problem is there is no internal mecanism to get paid more if you get promoted.

Since joining i've been promoted pretty much 3 times. I don't just mean 'hey have a new title' I mean my job role and responsibilities has changed drastically. Where before I was pretty much in the background now i'm in the foreground, customer facing. I spend time with finance houses, law and retail firms.

It's not as if i've suddenly realised 'hay other places will pay me more money' my job has changed drastically with regards to responsibility yet the pay didn't.

 

[Vanilla]

I agree. Even as we speak they are employing the 'new blood'. Getting people in at a low level and let them work their way up without having to pay them much (exactly like me, started off low, and am pretty much staying low!).

They know the problem with the pay. They say they're going to do things about it, their hands are tied, etc but they are working on it for this October. I have the stinking feeling that Ooctober will become April, etc. There are around 8/9 people in the same bag as me, I guess every month they delay they save loads.

Going by what you've heard and what your own experiences would you say that there isn't going to be a rise, it's juts typical management dragging as much out while they can and at the same time bringing in new blood ready for when you leave?