Offered promotion but no pay rise

Hdi

Hi,

New member so please be gentle lol!

I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding a situation that has come up at work. I've been with my current employer for 5 years, in the same job, and have recently been approached and asked if I'd be willing to move into another role. It would be a promotion and I'd be moving up a grade but they are implying that there will be no pay rise. I'm torn because I really fancy the job and certainly think I'd be able to do it well, but I can't get past the fact that I'd be doing the same job as others but getting paid substantially less.

So the questions is, what does everyone think I should do?!

Bob

caeler

This is common in my place. Prove yourself and you will be rewarded. An increase would generally follow after 6-12 months of being in post.

scooterchick

Moving up a grade suggests you work for a fairly large organisation as opposed to a small firm. If so it's quite strange they're offering a promotion without any competition? But again, that's dependent on the company I guess.

It's up to you. What's the pay minimum of the grade they're offering? How does that compare to what you're earning at the moment? Could it be you're at the higher end of your current grade which could be higher than the lower end of the promoted band, it does happen!!!

I always tend to think you should take every opportunity presented, so long as they're not taking advantage. You're the only one who'll know that though.

timbo58

ask straight out what the chances of a pay rise if you accept.
Most employers would prefer someone straight talking IMHO.
point out others in the same grade are on higher wages, stressing you really want the job all the same.

I'm sure they'll be honest in return.

cr1mson

Do your grades have salary bands attached? Just wondering if there is an overlap and maybe you are at the top of the band for your current grade which equates to bottom of grade above.

C

jfh7gwa

caeler wrote: »

Prove yourself and you will be rewarded.

No - prove youself and you might be rewarded is more honest.

Many employers use this sort of move as cheap labour (I know mine does - it's an acknowledged tactic in the management team - and people wonder why average length of employment here is less than 2 years... !)

Prove yourself, but always have a plan, would be my advice. Get a review of your work at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and let them know of your enthusiasm - whilst ensuring that you're not having the !!!! taken out of you. You are the only one who can judge that, though, based on how they've treated colleagues and how you've been dealt with in the past.

an9i77

Can you take the role, get the experience and then if they're still not paying you more a year or so down the line you can go and get another role at a higher salary elsewhere? Is the development worth it to you, as you would be able to command a higher salary on the open market in the future?

bouncing_bubbles

Talk to the employer now. Discuss what salery you would ideally like. Are there any other benifits that come with the role.
Also if others are in the same role with similar qualifications and experience and is on more (or started on more depending how long they have been in post) there may be grounds for an equal pay claim

FATBALLZ

I've come across this numerous times in my career. I take the promotion and then sack the employer off when I've got enough experience to get a job somewhere with another employer willing to pay market rate. Of course once you get promoted with no pay rise at the next place, you have to move again...

I was under the impression this is generally how companies work now, I guess they do it because most people just put up with being taken for a mug? As if enough people quit once they could get more pay elsewhere companies would not get any benefit from this approach.

an9i77

I once worked somewhere where the only way to get a pay rise was to get another offer of employment, put your resignation in and only then would the negotiations over pay start. Not the best way to manage your workforce.

Hdi

Hi everyone,

Been tied up for a couple of days but I do appreciate you all taking the time to read my post and reply. Let me respond as follows:

scooterchick wrote: »

Moving up a grade suggests you work for a fairly large organisation as opposed to a small firm. If so it's quite strange they're offering a promotion without any competition?

It is a fairly large company and the post was advertised twice, internally and externally, but there were no applicants on either occasion so they decided to start identifying and approaching potential candidates directly. Apparently I was approached because although the job is in a different department they have seen several examples of my work over the years and reckon my skills would suit the position.

jfh7gwa wrote: »

No - prove youself and you might be rewarded is more honest.

Many employers use this sort of move as cheap labour (I know mine does - it's an acknowledged tactic in the management team - and people wonder why average length of employment here is less than 2 years... !)

Prove yourself, but always have a plan, would be my advice. Get a review of your work at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and let them know of your enthusiasm - whilst ensuring that you're not having the !!!! taken out of you. You are the only one who can judge that, though, based on how they've treated colleagues and how you've been dealt with in the past.

I see your point but in reality this is unlikely to happen. I've had several colleagues who were promised all sorts to accept various changes to their duties but when the time came those promises were never kept so I'd struggle to believe a word they say,

an9i77 wrote: »

Can you take the role, get the experience and then if they're still not paying you more a year or so down the line you can go and get another role at a higher salary elsewhere? Is the development worth it to you, as you would be able to command a higher salary on the open market in the future?

I think it's a worthwhile move if I'm honest but again I suspect they'd try and wriggle further down the line. Also I feel strongly that if I'm to be expected to accept increased responsibility from day one I should, like everyone else, be paid for doing so.

bouncing_bubbles wrote: »

Talk to the employer now. Discuss what salery you would ideally like. Are there any other benifits that come with the role.
Also if others are in the same role with similar qualifications and experience and is on more (or started on more depending how long they have been in post) there may be grounds for an equal pay claim

I think this is probably the most effective approach but I do reckon I'll be fobbed off with some sort of excuse. Howver I have done my homework and found the advert dating back 14 months to the last time the post was advertised and filled which quotes a figure greater than I am on. It would be hard to find out what anyone else is on because no-one talks money in this place!

FATBALLZ wrote: »

I've come across this numerous times in my career. I take the promotion and then sack the employer off when I've got enough experience to get a job somewhere with another employer willing to pay market rate. Of course once you get promoted with no pay rise at the next place, you have to move again...

I was under the impression this is generally how companies work now, I guess they do it because most people just put up with being taken for a mug? As if enough people quit once they could get more pay elsewhere companies would not get any benefit from this approach.

I'm really not prepared to be taken for a mug if I can help it as I already feel I'm carrying colleagues at my existing "lower than a snakes belly" grade, to do it in a promoted post would, I think, be taken as a sign they can do what they like and I'll happily go along with it.

an9i77 wrote: »

I once worked somewhere where the only way to get a pay rise was to get another offer of employment, put your resignation in and only then would the negotiations over pay start. Not the best way to manage your workforce.

I love that idea but knowing my luck they'd call my bluff!

I've had the weekend to give it some though and although I'm no further forward in terms of decision I reackon I have no option but to push for a reasonable sum or tell them I'll stay where I am for now.

It's pretty poor when companies think this is an acceptable way to treat people!

Bob