Written by Sam Richards
How to ask for a payrise
Less than half of people in the UK consider themselves to be in a well-paid job1. Whilst Equilibrium doesn’t have that problem (less than one in 10 disagreed with the statement ‘I am satisfied with my salary and overall benefits package’ in our most recent staff survey), it’s important to allow employees the opportunity to express dissatisfaction if it’s there.
Ultimately, your salary is a reflection of the value you add to the business. Money is an important part of life, and if you feel your value isn’t translating into your salary, you’re entitled to speak up.
With that in mind, here’s a quick overview of the dos and don’ts of asking for a pay rise.
Don’t say…
- “My colleague is on more than me”
Your value is not determined by the value of other people. More to the point, you can’t possibly know the full extent of a colleague’s role and what they contribute to the business.
Your colleagues’ salaries are no reflection on the value you add to the business.
- “My living expenses have gone up”
Ultimately, your cost of living is your own responsibility and has absolutely no impact on how well you do your job. How would you feel if your colleague earnt more than you simply because their rent was higher?
Your living expenses are not a reflection on the value you add to the business.
- “The company is doing really well”
The company doing well is not a reason alone for you to get a pay rise, because (you guessed it) it is not a reflection on the value you add to the business.
Instead, focus on how you’ve contributed to the success of the business and the benefits you have brought to the team overall. Which brings us nicely to our next section…
Do say…
- “This year, I’ve taken on X and Y and done a brilliant job as demonstrated by Z”
Find specific examples of where you’ve added value and excelled in your role. This is the key to proving that you deserve a pay rise. Ultimately, you’re negotiating with your employer, so make sure you bring plenty of evidence to that negotiation.
- “I’ve been a great asset to the team”
This isn’t as simple as how many reports you’ve filed or how many leads you’ve generated. Do people like having you around? Would you be missed if you left? Being a great employee also means contributing to a positive environment which adds value for every single member of the team.
What if I’m refused?
Try not to be disheartened if you’re refused. Ask what steps you need to take to get to where you want to be. This will make sure that your goal is realistic and allow you to set a plan of action to reach that goal.
Or, depending on your employer, it may be the push you need to start your search elsewhere. If that’s the case, we just so happen to know of a few roles you might be interested in…
