Wage Rise

masonsmum

Hi everyone just looking for some advice, I have worked for a small building contractor as his office manager for over 5 years now, I usually work part time but my boss has now reached 65 and has started uping my workload and taking more of a back seat, I dont mind doing this but he has now asked me to start working an extra day (normally only worked 3 days and he wants me to do 4) again this is not an issue as I have a great support network for my childcare.

But I have not had a wage rise for 3 years I am getting more responsibility and no more money plus my commute is 20 miles a day so will have additional fuel costs, whats the best way to discuss a wage rise.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

ILW

Ask for a rise.

paddedjohn

Hi boss, I'm now working 33% more hours per week due to the extra day so I want a 33% min rise, thanks.

browneyedbazzi

Do you ever have 1-1s with the boss or any sort of performance review? If so that may be a good forum to broach the subject. If not then ask him to set aside a bit of time to talk about your work etc...talk to him about the additional hours, responsibility, duties and the quality of your work and that you have been on the same wage for three years and say that you feel a pay rise would be fair in light of all of the above. It's probably worth firming up in your mind how much of a rise you would like to achieve because he may ask you for a figure.

getmore4less

I would be more concered about the plans for the business.

maninthestreet

In effect, he is asking you to take a 25% pay cut, plus you have the 40-round trip each day, which costs you extra. Do you have a written contract of employment that states your worlking hours.

ktothema

Personally I'm half and half when it comes to this. I'm stubborn enough to say thes no way I'd do an extra day without an extra days pay. But too wimpy to then negotiate a pay rise for the extra responsibility! I wouldn't suggest you agree to that extra day without your pay packet being inflated appropriately. But can't offer any advice re negotiating more - sorry!

gibson123

Say to the boss.... Yes I am happy to work the extra day the extra income will come in very handy, in fact before you mentioned this I was also going to ask about a rise in hourly rate because I haven't had a pay rise for 3 years and I have lots of additional responsibilities. I was thinking about ( a pound an hour, or whatever you think you should be paid) so I think that will be an additional £ per week is fair. Keep it light and conversational, it is a reasonable request.

RexBanner

Small building contractors tend to be bad at recognising the value of their office staff appropriately. Trades wages are generally influenced by the market and are priced into any jobs bid for, but they'll likely lump you in with sundry costs like heating, etc.

You need to make them aware of the importance of your role and teh value that you add to it, and that this should be fairly rewarded. They wouldn't dream of asking a tradesman to work an extra day without pay.

Obv this needs to be done in context of the current state of construction when pay-cuts are the norm, so I'd pitch on the basis of fairness and the changes to your role and responsibilities which haven't led to extra pay.

Good luck.