Salary "capping"

pinkynatxx

Hi there. Sorry if I have put this in the wrong place or missed a thread already about this.
I am at the stage where I usually get evaluated in work and get an annual parse. My bosses have advised me I am doing a great job and exceed expectations. I am not in a managerial position but a an expert at what I do (this is what they call me). I have been told I can no longer get a pay rise unless I go for promotion or the start off salary is increased because I earn the highest amount without being a manager. My length of service is longer than many other managers. I am going to have a one off bonus in my pay but and if this remains this way I will have the same bonus next year.
I feel that I am being penalized this way as I work hard and my salary is frozen. Is this allowed?
Sorry if I sound ungrateful.
Thanks x

ohreally

pinkynatxx wrote: »

I am at the stage where I usually get evaluated in work and get an annual parse.

Is this annual rise an actual increase in remuneration or is it a cost of living uplift?

You state you usually get a rise - how long has this been implemented?

tizerbelle

Yes it's allowed. In many if not most jobs there are pay bands that roles are linked to and once you hit the top of the band that is it.

Basically all jobs have a value to a business and pay scales are based on that value. They aren't going to pay over what they feel the job is worth just because someone has stayed in the role a long time.

AP007

Usually is not 100% definate at all. A company can freeze pay increases for all of just one person of their staff - its allowed.

michelle2008

You are not being penalised you have simply reached the top of your scale.

As others have said ask if the scale is uplifted for inflation on an annual basis ( however pay freezes are common at the moment). However, at least you are getting a bonus!

You don't sound ungrateful - just a bit naive. Ask for a copy of you companies pay policy - or ask your manager to explain how it all works. Don't try to negotiate or complain without the facts

getmore4less

get a job at a company that treats technical experts with some respect and offer a career path without going into management.

agrinnall

It's pretty normal. In my previous career the most likely outcome for people at the top of their salary band would have been that they'd get a bonus rather than a pay increase, but that was in the days when bonuses were pretty common, I'm fairly sure it wouldn't be so readily given now.

Linton

If your expertise would be useful to another employer suggest you start looking for a job elsewhere. These days in many companies, certainly those involved in high-tech, there is no problem with experts earning more than their manager. Management is seen as a distinct career path and skill area alongside rather than superior to all the others. It seems your employer still has the attitudes that were common 40 years ago.

Goldiegirl

I was in this situation at my previous employer.

I had reached the top of my pay grade, and although I exceeded expectations in my appraisals, I didn't get any pay rises.

However, I didn't jump ship as I could see the way things were going.

They shut our office and we were all made redundant. So I was able to take early retirement with an enhanced pension and a good pay off on my 50th birthday.

I'm really glad I put up with the situation for a couple of years, as my whole life is much better now.

antonic

Its a normal situation in the Civil Service where I work.

I have been top of my payscale for 21 years now, so no big pay rises for me, but I am happy because I have been on the max for so long.

terra_ferma

What does your contract say about pay? If the rise is contractual you may be able to challenge the freeze, if not I doubt it.