Pay Reviews

[pioneer2000]

So- quick summary:

I don't like my job - don't feel challenged and feel under-valued. The people and general office atmosphere are brilliant though which kind of makes me want to stay as long as I can boost my salary and get a bit more responsibility.

Today I had a letter saying my salary is going up 1,500 p/a (my first year with this company) However, was hoping for a bit more....

In August I was nominated employee of the month and feel I have gone beyond what I had to do through my studies and extra responsibilites (I am the office first aider).

What's the best way to go about negotiating for a higher rise?

1) Straight out "I was hoping for more...." and then explain how I feel i've worked beyond my job spec etc... So basically being nice and upfront.

2) "I will have to look for another job as I feel I am being underpaid" Be more forceful and make it clear I feel under-valued.

3) Say nothing, look for a new job and when one is found hope they make a counter offer?

I realise this is confused but I'm tired and hungry!

 

[tres]

does being a first aider really warrant a payrise????
i learnt it to help people, not get money

 

[Poweredge]

Firstly, suppose it depends on what percentage the 1.5k increase is. Also, the current climate isn't the most condusive for giving out rises right now.

It really depends on how well you get on with your manager, and how well/badly he may take you asking about a rise-rise. But given that unemployment is rising (think it's at it's highest percentage for at least 9 years), employers are in a fairly strong negotiating position.

Personally, I'm the kind that would stay calm and leave magazines and papers open at the jobs section on my desk. But right now, I wouldn't even risk that.

 

[Poweredge]

Also, go and get a good meal and a good night's sleep - it never helps to stew over these things when you've a grumbling stomach and a headache.

 

[BrightonBelle]

I'm in the same position and will doing all of the above, but conveying point 2.

I am almost certain that they will counter me (I am the most senior in the dept and I think they only let my boss leave because I was still there), but will want to have found a new job first, the market in London isn't the best at the moment, with redundancies looming and last in first out... so am holding off... probably till the new year... but am due a pay review end of october so will bring it up then.

Or in my one to one next week.

BB x

 

[bigchez]

Counter offers are rarely a good thing. Stats show that people who accept them will be out within 6 months anyway. As soon as you have the "I'm off" conversation with your boss, they are planning your replacement.

And what is a counter offer? Is it your next couple of payrises early? Where has the magic promotion/payrise come from all of a sudden if you weren't due it anyway. And if you were due it, why didn't you get it?

From the minute you mention leaving your loyalty is in question, and all trust is gone. If you hate somewhere that much you want to leave is a few more quid gonna make you love it more?

 

[Solari]

On a similar note, I got promoted today, which was unexpected I was wondering if the envelope contained a P45 at first!

Finished work at 10pm though so the crap day kind of balanced out the nice surprise

As others have said, the climate is a bit dodgy at the moment and you're probably not in a great bargaining position. If you can have a one to one with your boss and get on with him/her, maybe mention that you'd like to move up within the firm, and up the career/earnings ladder a bit more, but are obviously looking to take on the extra associated responsibility and contribute more towards the company?

 

[HangTime]

If you hate somewhere that much you want to leave is a few more quid gonna make you love it more?

People often want to leave jobs they don't hate. I don't hate my job, but if someone offered me an extra £10k to work elsewhere, assuming the conditions weren't any worse (working hours, location etc), then I'd at least consider it.

 

[bigchez]

People often want to leave jobs they don't hate. I don't hate my job, but if someone offered me an extra £10k to work elsewhere, assuming the conditions weren't any worse (working hours, location etc), then I'd at least consider it.

Definately fella, not disputing that. £10k is a massive payrise. It'd be a pretty spectacular counter to be offered that! Most are slightly more, say £1500-2k, and again are just next year's payrise early.

 

[pioneer2000]

I don't mind the job and think i'd be worse off at another company but I just don't get paid enough. I'm sick of always coming off with the lowest wage of everyone I work with when I put in so much effort.

What I don't understand is that I've got a good degree, good experience, obviously do well at work (hence employee of the month) and yet still earn less than friends who have worse degrees, less experience and aren't getting employee of the month! I know it's just my reaction to something I consider unfair (and i'm not throwing my toys out) but I just do not understand how a company can praise you but not offer a fair reward.

 

[Scort]

Today I had a letter saying my salary is going up 1,500 p/a (my first year with this company) However, was hoping for a bit more....

Wish mine went up that much in a review, never broke £500 prior to my promotion (been there 5 years 8 months ish), and I don't expect much more than that come next review

Scort.

 

[Dracata]

Ask to speak to your boss (or arrange a meeting depending on how formal your company is) and stress that you love our job and are very happy with the company/people, although you'd like to see your career progress as much as possible while you're at your peak, and that includes your salary. Ask if it could be negotiated higher, and assure them you are worth it.

 

[Delvis]

I haven't personally had one for ages now =/

But to be honest 1500 wouldn't go that far now...it would just counter act the price increase of everything that has happened over the past year

 

[pioneer2000]

Ask to speak to your boss (or arrange a meeting depending on how formal your company is) and stress that you love our job and are very happy with the company/people, although you'd like to see your career progress as much as possible while you're at your peak, and that includes your salary. Ask if it could be negotiated higher, and assure them you are worth it.

Everyone has been helpful and it's much appreciated.

Thanks Dracata- I think that's probably my best bet. Will see if I can have a quiet word at some point this week and go from there.

 

[TriedandTested]

Reality check: you don't get more money because you may think you're at your peak or want to have more responsibility. You have to prove yourself as being valuable to the company first, then comes the money.

You say you feel undervalued and not challenged by your job at the moment so I can only presume that the job isn't that demanding or has much responsibility. What, for example, would you say that would justify a payrise if your boss was to ask you that question? First Aider really doesn't count

 

[HangTime]

I don't mind the job and think i'd be worse off at another company but I just don't get paid enough. I'm sick of always coming off with the lowest wage of everyone I work with when I put in so much effort.

What I don't understand is that I've got a good degree, good experience, obviously do well at work (hence employee of the month) and yet still earn less than friends who have worse degrees, less experience and aren't getting employee of the month! I know it's just my reaction to something I consider unfair (and i'm not throwing my toys out) but I just do not understand how a company can praise you but not offer a fair reward.

Because companys are in the business of making money.
They are not there to make their employees rich, they will pay as little as they can get away with, with a few exceptions. Obviously, I'm talking about companies without a pay-grade scaling.

I knew there was a guy I work with who had less responsibility, less qualifications, less technical ability, fewer proven successes, less product knowledge etc etc than me with the same job title who was earning a good 20% more than I was. That's not 'fair' but then it's down to you as an individual to negotiate a good starting salary when you join a company.

 

[Amleto]

last place I was at gave 2 - 2.5% pay rise for the year. I knew that was coming and everyone, including me, was on a **** salary. I didn't hang around - got offered an extra 38% elsewhere.