Is it unreasonable to expect a pay rise?

workaccount · 12-02-2009 11:42PM #1

Hi,
I'm up for yearly review soon and am doing alot more than was specified in my last review and I am going to be taking on alot this coming year also. ie. Upskilling.

In the normal scheme of things I should be getting a rise of 10-12k. Should I forget about this now and work for the same money even though I'm doing loads more. I'm not happy with the money I'm on now.

My medium sized company seems fine so far (in the early stages of this recession) and there is no talk of letting people go - my position is fairly secure in the company as I do a specialized job. The company is looking at all costs and reducing where it can. I'm sure they don't want their labour costs increasing.

What position would companies be taking on issues such as labour costs - is it reasonable for them to ask me to do what I'm doing and give me less money than I should be getting? I think that alot of people are probably on much more than me but it's probably easier for the company to deny me an increase rather than ask someone else to take a cut.

I just feel like I'm being greedy or something when loads of people are losing their jobs but if I don't get it it's just going to mean my company will have it instead and they have plenty of money - there just tightening up.

Any help/guidance/direction appreciated.

Thanks.

Xiney · 13-02-2009 12:50AM

well... the worst thing they can say is no

leeroybrown · 13-02-2009 02:12AM

Not at all. I certainly wouldn't be willing to just take on a load of new responsibilities without at least discussing better terms with the company. Quite a few companies are still doing well, and even if they are tightening their belts you can still argue that they're getting a lot more for their money with your new responsibilities.

fionnmar · 13-02-2009 02:24AM

As above, I think no harm in trying. But I am curious - a 10-12k pay rise? This seems like quite a rise to me?

deisebabe · 13-02-2009 04:24PM

You should definately try. Point out all the extra responsibilities you have taken on. If they hired someone for the job you are doing now they would probably have to pay them more than you are on.....

Maybe talk about additional holidays if money terms cannot be matched.

Good luck

AARRRGH · 13-02-2009 04:31PM

Ask for it. I know some people who did this recently and got what they wanted.

EDIT: To answer your question, it might be unreasonable to expect one, but it is not unreasonable to ask for one.

sNarah · 13-02-2009 04:56PM

It's well worth a try, however, I do find that in (oh I hate that term) "this economic turndown", jobsecurity is far more important then a payrise.

You should ask yourself this questions:
- Am I still happy in this role (eventhough they pay me too little)

The thing as well is that -especially- small to medium sized businesses séém to be doing fine, but then again, noone knows how their books look like at tis stage, so don't go assuming to quicly that money is still widely available.

First of all, consider yourself lucky to still have a job and not made redudant or something, and secondly, mention the payrise during you review. As Xiney said, the worst that can happen is a "no" or give you less then you expected.

Good luck with it!

leeroybrown · 13-02-2009 05:20PM

I prefer to call it the economic nosedive. Far more dramatic...

It's more complicated than just the issue of a pay raise or not. As I said above I'd be unwilling to take on a lot of new responsibilities without at least discussing the issue. My point wasn't that I'd require a pay rise to do the extra work but that I'd need to discuss the issue with the company. If an employee just keeps their mouth closed and doesn't make a case for a pay increase they're effectively accepting coming out of the economic nosedive with no recognition of their change in status at all and pay negotiations starting from a very low starting point. They're also giving up their chance to negotiate when the employer may be quite happy no give them a moderate increase if they push their case properly. It's something that needs to be discussed and recognised properly even if you end up agreeing to take the responsibility without extra pay in the shorter term.

doolox · 14-02-2009 10:08AM

That "lucky to have a job?" really gets up my nose. They are lucky to have you as an employee! It cuts both ways. Investigate and find out what the health of the company is. Find out what the health of the sector is. Find out what people doing your job are paid in other companies for the same work.
Add up the training costs accumulated so far by your company in your career.
This will give you some ammunition to use in your negotiations.
It is revealing to note that sales people in general are paid more because they are good at selling the most important thing they have to sell, themselves.
There is nothing stopping other people acquiring and using the same skills.
If you find that you are being paid at par with your peers then at least you will know your worth and can draw up a plan to improve it.

Is it unreasonable to expect a pay rise?

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