How to ask for a pay rise?

Question

I have been at my current company for nearly two years and I have had one very small payrise in line with inflation. It has recently come to my attention that other people who do the same job as me are earning more money. It is only a small company with 9 staff (one of whom has just resigned!) I would like to ask for a pay rise to bring my salary in line with other people. I am good at my job and have had excellent reports in my apraisals. I just dont want to rock the boat as I know my boss and his wife (who is also co. secretary) can be quite difficult in these situations. Any suggestions on how I can approach this with the best results :-) thanks

Answer 1

The reason you give here is that you want the raise to "bring your salary in line with other people".

In that case you have to explain what it is you do that is comparable with the others. Are you working to the same standard? You should use the results of your work first and the results of the appraisals 2nd. You need to demonstrate the value you contribute before others recognise it. THis means selling your values. You never know - it may be that something else is important to your boss?

You also need to be careful about your source of info as this is a difficult subject which should be confidential. Try not to drop a colleague in the plop.

If the person that has resigned did some things that you could or wouldn't mind taking on then offer to do this too. Explain that you would be happy to include such tasks within your role in order to INCREASE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. Argue that by doing that you're increasing your productivity AND saving the company money (by saving them a whole other salary.

Your boss will always be looking for what he can get from you so if you want more money you'll probably have to put more effort in.

THis of course assumes you want more responsibility.

Good luck

Answer 2

Make a list of the good things that you have done - this will give you the foundation that you base your raise on. Explain that there are others that are doing the same job and that could your employers give you an idea as to why they are being paid differently. If it is a matter of more experience then this then gives you the chance to ask for more training so that you can attain the same levels as them.

Try not to get stroppy and whining if they say no - I know that it is hard for some small businesses to keep up with regular pay rises but also some self employed people kind of forget that their staff needs to have prospects and further training to keep them interested in the job but also they can be a be a bit out of touch when it comes to comparable payscales in other work places.

Unless you want to leave the company don't threaten them with your going unless you mean it - that just breeds bad feeling on both sides.

Simply do your research into how much you think your job is worth, what you have done to deserve a payrise - put that to them and see how it goes

Answer 3

If the company is informal you can just ask your boss can you book a time for a small meeting, otherwise do it in writing, state how long you are with them and refer to your good appraisals and ask nicely if you are elligible for a salary increase. It's one of those difficult moments but you will never get it if you dont ask, just muster up the confidence to ask and go for it.
In my job there is an increment rise everyy year and we fill in a form it asks how many sick days or "lates" we've had over the past year and then a line manager must sign it off, good luck you sound like a good employee so go for it and the worst outcome is they may say no but hopefully it'll be a yes!

Answer 4

The only thing I can sugest is to make it known that you are looking for another job and IF they speak to you about it you can then make known your concerns.
If they can be quite difficult about this though they will not be intimmidated by you looking for work elsewhere and may even take this oppotunity to look for reasons to sack you! sry about that.
If you get on well with them, then just ask for a private chat and ask what the future of the company holds and if there will be any pay rises for you or if there was anything you could do to bring you inline with others in a similar role as you.
Or do what I do and just keep mentioning that the company could not do without me and how I deserve a pay rise for the last thing I did. Doesn't seem to work though!

Answer 5

Its always very tricky its probably best to it in your appraisal ask what other other responsibilities you can take on to move your career forward and how will you be rewarded, that way you are asking for more money but saying that you are willing to work for it, I know you said that others doing the same job are earning more but are you sure and are they doing anything else that you might not know about? Sometimes employers don't notice what you are doing check your job description and anything you are doing extra make a list and point it out in your appraisal. Good Luck

Answer 6

First I would wait until they have filled the vacancy just created by the resignation otherwise this could be viewed as trying to manipulate the situation. Then work out for yourself why you are worth a pay rise, e.g. what extra skills or responsibilities you have gained since your last rise. Then ask if you could have some time for a private chat to discuss your career progression and get a structure to your salary reviews. See if you set acheivment targets which could be related to levels of increase, this way they are not just giving out a pay rise for the sake of it and you are justifing your worth. You could ask to be considwered for promotion to the vacant position and negotiate from there for taking on extra responsability.

Answer 7

I know it's hard when you want a pay rise- what i did was start a conversation with my boss and then went on to say, i'm struggling with paying for my mortgage and bills ect at the moment and was wondering if it would be possible to have a pay rise- he said he'd think about it and i have had two since!
You have to ask otherwise you don't get!
Go for it, you've got nothing to lose!
Good luck!

Answer 8

be upfront ask for an apprasial.see if they expect anything more from you find out the reasons that your colleauges get more money than you is longer service or do they have more responsabilities ask them what you can do to recive a larger payrise

good luck regards tigger

Answer 9

Gimme more money you tight git!

Answer 10

Please sir, -I want some more