Probation meeting = pay review?

thezappa · 10 Jan 2017 at 19:03

Evening all, some advice if possible:

I've been with my new company 6 months and the probationary period has now passed.
When I had my interview (it was very brief) I explained I was doing a distance learning MSc, the MD (who interviewed me with one of the other directors) said they would cover the cost of my next years tuition fees, which they have and that's great. However, they offered me the job with a significant pay cut (on the basis they would pay the fees), which I wasn't thrilled about but given trainee positions especially for people like me with almost no experience in that field, are rare.

The question is now I am having my probationary meeting and have 'proved myself' is it reasonable to bring up the question of salary review?
Like I said I took a hefty (for me) cut when i joined but they are paying tuition costs which works out as much as the pay cut, although i did take a career development loan out to pay for the course so in effect I have half the loan amount to pay back.

It's a tricky one, so any pointers or words of advice in how to bring it up would be most welcome. Or indeed to advise to suck it up and wait until March/April when i believe there will be a more 'formal' review (of salary).

Thanks

Gamefreak501 · 10 Jan 2017 at 20:25

Hi thezappa,

In my personal opinion; whilst it is commendable that they have agreed to cover tuition fees, I think it's important to think of points which you deem are worthy of a pay-rise as this will go further in your favour than straight up asking for a pay rise.

If there is a 'formal review' of salary, I would wait until that time to query any pay rises, perhaps with a few pointers in mind to help your case, unless they mention a pay rise at your probation meeting.

I hope this helps

lurkio · 10 Jan 2017 at 21:24

What he said, have good valid examples of why you would be worth more money

Be polite when putting your points across

AHarvey · 10 Jan 2017 at 21:44

Ask other employee's if there are pay reviews and when, if it is in March, bring it up then.

HangTime · 11 Jan 2017 at 09:39

Bear in mind that a year's tuition fees is a one-off payment (which is probably taken from a separate training budget), whereas a salary increase is massively more expensive to an employer as it compounds year-on-year and also tends to increase the value of some benefits pro-rata. I know it doesn't help now but to be honest if you weren't happy with the salary on offer then I would have tried to negotiate a guarenteed increment upon successful completion of probation.

I would bring it up but outline why you think you deserve more money i.e:
-Increased responsibilities
-Proven ability to do the job
-Market rates for the position

Ultimately your employer will have hired you to do a job at a given salary and are unlikely to give a significant rise in the first year unless you have expanded out of your role or are being massively underpaid relative to your peers. I would expect them to respond by saying they will consider your points in the March pay review and end up giving you 5% max.

The one plus point is if you joined as a trainee with almost no experience then depending on the organisation they may expect rapid progression as your experience grows.

Kuros · 11 Jan 2017 at 14:59

It's a tricky one, to be honest. I think you might have actually shot yourself in the foot.

If they are paying professional training fees, they'll likely have something in the contract saying you have to work X number of years before they'll chase it back off you.

They've got no incentive to bump up your pay, because they'll know they've got you over a barrel. You leave for a higher paid job, they'll recoup their chunk of money anyway...

Buffman · 11 Jan 2017 at 15:14

Kuros said:
It's a tricky one, to be honest. I think you might have actually shot yourself in the foot.

If they are paying professional training fees, they'll likely have something in the contract saying you have to work X number of years before they'll chase it back off you.

Check you haven't done this first OP! This would be my concern...

tom_e · 11 Jan 2017 at 15:19

It's a little late now if he has and he almost certainly has, businesses don't give away things that make you more attractive to other businesses for free.

Personally if I'd already got the loan to cover my fees I'd have refused their offer to keep the higher salary to begin with.

thezappa · 11 Jan 2017 at 16:41

tom_e said:
It's a little late now if he has and he almost certainly has, businesses don't give away things that make you more attractive to other businesses for free.

Personally if I'd already got the loan to cover my fees I'd have refused their offer to keep the higher salary to begin with.

Thanks everyone.
Sorry to say this has happened - leaving before the end of my MSc or within 2 years after completing will mean I need to pay back the money to them, about £3.5-4k.

Interesting you say that as I had the exact same thought but the payment of tuition fees wasn't far off the reduction in salary. In all likelihood I doubt they would have offered a higher salary and not paid the fees. It's more in their interest to do it the other way around (as I see it).

The conversation in the interview as I recall it was that they took me on as a trainee and offered a reduced salary on the basis that I was an unknown quantity, which is fair enough, so perhaps if I can reason with him that I am useful (there has been mention of giving me my own projects (working with Housing associations to deliver affordable housing from big builders)) this could provide an incentive for them?

Thanks for your input