How to approach HR for salary increase

blued

If you feel that the rise is not enough then have a chat with your manager about it before going to HR. Explain why you think it is low and why you deserve more rather than just going in and saying you expected more. List everything you've learned, explain that you enjoy your job and working with the company etc.

Remember that a lot of salaries are determined by how good you are at negotiating, this is why you'll often find a team of people working the same job with similar skills on different money. You could say £15k is fine now but you'd like to go up to £16k if they are happy with you in 6 months. Or come up with a salary you'd like to be earning in 2 years time with increments at 6 months if they are happy with your progress?

Remember the worst they can say is no and so long as you go to them with good reasons (rather than I just want more!) they aren't going to hold it against you.

gaz_jones

Thanks Blued I'm going to make a list of reasons why I feel I should have been offered more this afternoon, then will have a chat with my manager tomorrow morning.

Thanks again for the advice everyone It's very appreciated.

SandC

You have nothing to lose by speaking to HR and saying that you were expecting more in the region of £17k as you consider the job to be equivalent to others in the industry and area which are paying £18-£19k. The worst they can do is say that they can't afford that/don't think you've gained enough experience yet (in which case it can be on file for discussion next appraisal).

I know all the stuff about being thankful for having a job and the rise in itself being a good one but if you don't ask they won't be offering you!

Another thing, I would never mention anything relating to lifestyle when talking about salaries - it's not their concern whether you can't afford this, that or the other - it's the value of you doing the job you are in that counts, not what you need to fund.

cazziebo

Why are some people suggesting approaching HR and not line management? Don't think I've worked anywhere (in 30 years!) where HR decided on individual pay.

Agree with SandC - this is not about lifestyle, it's about the value you bring to the company. Having said that, IT salaries are not what they were and 15k is ok for desktop support with a couple of years experience. Make a good case and see how you go.

DVardysShadow

SandC wrote: »

... Another thing, I would never mention anything relating to lifestyle when talking about salaries - it's not their concern whether you can't afford this, that or the other - it's the value of you doing the job you are in that counts, not what you need to fund.

I would disagree at gaz_jones's level. Obviously it cuts no ice to say 'I need more money so I can go clubbing on Friday as well as Saturday'. But if it is more basic aspirations 'I need to be able to sort out a flat with my girlfriend', it should get a better hearing. At the lower salary levels for junior staff, it can be the case that the pay is not sufficient to meet needs very far up Maslow's hierarchy of need - senior people need to be acquainted with the fact, because they may not actually realise it.

Of course the employee could grin and bear it until they find another job. And then be asked at the exit interview 'why didn't you tell us earlier?'

paulwf

I agree that you've got nothing to lose by asking for more as long as you ask in the right way...the worst they can say is no.

Go through your manager not HR...your manager won't be very happy if you haven't gone through him/her in the first instance. Besides as others have pointed out HR don't usually set pay scales.

pinkshoes

I think your best tactic would to be go armed with job adverts in your area for similar positions (not sure if that one counts as similar), then highlight all your skills showing why you're worthy of a higher salary.

If they won't budge (and given the current climate, lots of IT departments have been cut, so lots of people applying for those other jobs...), then your next tactic ought to be to present them with some training you'd like to undertake in the next 12 months so that you can "grow into the role" and progress more so that you have more skills to offer the company. Research this in advance so you can ask there and then.

gaz_jones

Just to update this thread.

I had a meeting with HR and the operations manager last week (took a while due to holidays). They have agreed to raise me to £16k and then have also agreed that subject to me improving on points mentioned on my yearly performance review, they will review my wages again at the end of the year (December).

Very happy with the result and definitely glad I bit the bullet and asked.

Thanks for the advice everyone

DVardysShadow

Good result! The fact that they identify points to work on indicates they are minded to progress you - they are asking you to deliver the evidence so that they feel justified in giving you a rise.