Is £10,500 per annum too little to be paid?

Question

I am a Legal Secretary - very experienced having worked in Crown Court, Magistrates Court, Civil, Matrimonial and Personal Injury?

I live in the North West region of the UK (Blackpool).

Thinking about getting another job as I can't afford to stay on the wages I am on and I doubt very much that my current employers will put my wages up.

What do you think?

Thank you for all your answers so far.

To clarify, I am 20 years of age, worked here for three years, do cover reception and work for two and on some occasions three Solicitors.

I have a mortgage etc and am married so I find it very difficult to live on my wages.

Can't even afford a holiday or any improvment works on the house as a result of my low income.

I work 35 hours per week at the moment and sometimes do overtime which just gets overlooked.

I know I am only young but I have all of the experience and qualifications needed and to raise a little extra cash I run my own typing business from home but it does not bring loads in.

Answer 1

Tell you current employer that you are struggling to cope on wages paid. Look into registering with a few agencies first. Legal secretaries are supposed to be like gold dust these days and as far as I can tell you are on really sh*tty wages. Do some internet surfing to see whats out there for you. Don't struggle on, do something about it or it will really begin to affect you.

Answer 2

I;m assuming you work full time... it's not too low a wage, and is above the legal minimum. I think you could do better elsewhere. Perhaps suggest to your boss that you've friends in the same sort of job earning more than you, and you think you deserve a pay rise. You need to justify why the company should pay more for you though, and you can't use the rising cost of living as an excuse.

Answer 3

I supposed it depends ,u don't give your age ,how long you have worked there for.
Also what u have to take in consideration is living costs,sure a legal sec in London earns 25grand maybe more but there's the much higher costs of living in London.
Why don't you try temping work or contracting via a agency.That way you will probably get paid more and also get a chance to expand your working experience with other firms..Alternatively sit down and draft up a action plan and take it to your employee discussing the reasons you need a pay rise ( inflation,living costs ,loyalty ) .If he/she still won't accomodate a pay rise ..move on ..Good luck with whatever you decide on..

Answer 4

I haven't worked in legal profession so not totally sure but from what you have put it sounds as if you are under paid. I couldn't afford to live on that. I only just manage now and I'm on £22k and i don't smoke or have kids. get a good case together for your argument. i.e. ask around to see what other people like you earn.
when you are armed with your evidence go to your boss and say that you are struggling to live on your wages and that you think that with your experience you are worth more.

Good luck.

Answer 5

It is all relative to what your cost of living is and what your realistic earning potential is. The average Uk salary now is £26-28k so you are well below average but the likelihood is that your employer can fill this post for £10.5k per year. So, if you want to earn more you need to get more skills or look for a better paid job that you can do with your skills or reduce your cost of living so you are comfortable.

Answer 6

depends on a few things:

1. How many years experience you have had
2. How fast you type ( and your skill set in general)
3. How many hours you work

there are a few things you can do:

1) ask for a payrise and give VALID reasons as to why you should get it : i.e any added responsibilities that you have taken on, etc ANY value you have added to the organisation ( do you cover the receptionists' lunch breaks? etc etc
Hope this helps, I hate to hear of employers taking the mickey!

Answer 7

Im a legal secretary too, but im in London, so I earn more obviously.
If there are other jobs around, that pay more than yours, then obviously you are not getting paid enough!! If you can get a higher paid job, then go for it!!
I would not work for that little

Answer 8

hun...you need to do some SECRET research find out what others who are doing the same job at the same level are being paid....then find the best paid position for your skills that you can... don't forget to start training for the next level up...promotion is always a good thing.... then WHAMMMO suddenly you're leaving they're in a mess and if you pick your moment...when they really need you you will have sweet revenge on them for being so dam tight!

:-)

Answer 9

depends on the hours you work. for 10 hours a week its not bad, for 2 days a month its great, for 40 hours a week its illegal (under minimum wage). if you want more per hour then you will have to change jobs. you could try mcdonalds, they pay a bit more but you'll have to work for it.

Answer 10

Good god girl...that is an office juniors wage....you need to be demanding a very minimum of 15k.
Very best wishes with the job xx