Ask for a pay rise or not?

catalepticstate

Hi all,
I have my annual review tomorrow. I told one of my colleague's it was tomorrow. And we started talking about them in general.

He mensioned "annual salary review".
I have been with the company 4 years a couple of years more than my colleague and he has had two increases.

I've never asked for a pay rise, and if the company have not offered me one then maybe I do not deserve one.

But since last year I have been doing a lot more work than the rest as some of my work means I have to travel a lot more than my colleagues and that has increased slightly this year.

I have felt for a long time now that I am being sidelined and not included in certain things with the company. Even in areas they know I have good experience in.

I would not say I am a really confidant person, I'm about average. There are times when I talk to my managers, when I talk they cut me off and talk over me. It's given me a complex when I talk to them, I am always anticipating them butting in, and I end up not putting across what I need to say.

There are a few other things but do not want to post here.

So all this and the lack of an offer of a pay rise makes me feel that I am not a valued member of the team anymore.

Do I ask for a pay rise or not?

Fluff15

catalepticstate wrote: »

Hi all,
I have my annual review tomorrow. I told one of my colleague's it was tomorrow. And we started talking about them in general.

He mensioned "annual salary review".
I have been with the company 4 years a couple of years more than my colleague and he has had two increases.

I've never asked for a pay rise, and if the company have not offered me one then maybe I do not deserve one.

But since last year I have been doing a lot more work than the rest as some of my work means I have to travel a lot more than my colleagues and that has increased slightly this year.

I have felt for a long time now that I am being sidelined and not included in certain things with the company. Even in areas they know I have good experience in.

I would not say I am a really confidant person, I'm about average. There are times when I talk to my managers, when I talk they cut me off and talk over me. It's given me a complex when I talk to them, I am always anticipating them butting in, and I end up not putting across what I need to say.

There are a few other things but do not want to post here.

So all this and the lack of an offer of a pay rise makes me feel that I am not a valued member of the team anymore.

Do I ask for a pay rise or not?

Yes! If you're doing more and doing a good job, then of course ask for one. Many companies will not give staff rises if they don't ask for them (my boss is one of them) as if they can continue to get cheaper labour they will.

In your staff review, outline the additional work you have been doing, and outline to whoever what you feel you can bring extra to the company. Make your voice heard that you want to be doing more - the worst they can say is no, and you're no worse off than before, and you can look for a new job.

Being confident comes with practice and the only way to practice is to fake it 'til you make it.

kev2009

I would ask - at end of the day you don't ask you don't get.. and nothing wrong with asking, make sure you have a few things written down to backup your request incase they say, list what you have done that you feel makes you deserve an increased payrise than the standard amount and then if you have it to hand your prepared and then they can so hmm yeah actually your write, your doing all these on top of your normal job etc and take it up with whoever they need to.

I am in similar position, have asked for a pay rise a year ago and it's basically gone round the houses with no really yes or no so I've asked again this year and waiting to see what happens.

I would say worst case they say no and that it, you carry on as usual or if your still not happy look elsewhere.

On plus side, you may find you get a extra % as your pay rise this year rather than the standard amount everyone gets each year.

74jax

I ask at every review. I list the reasons why and what i do above and beyond my duties. I wouldn't ask and not have anything to back it up.

Some years I get it, others I don't. But i alwasys use my review to review all the the work I've done and put forward a case for more money, change in job title, change in duties, progression etc.

engineer_amy

yes, definitely ask for one in the review, but make sure you go in armed with lots of evidence as to why you deserve one. have a list memorised of all the extra duties, responsibilities you have to carry out. If you are able to quantify this additional work load even better e.g. I brought in 10% more sales than my target, I have increased turnover in my department by £10k this quarter, I have completed these KPIs, whatever it is you do in your line of business.


Also have in mind a rough figure (or range) of an increase that you would like, or that you think the job is worth. During one of our staff appraisals, the employee asked for a raise, we said "OK, how much?" she immediately got flustered as she had not expected us to say yes, then eventually she came up with a ridiculous figure. She got a small raise BTW.
They might not agree with the amount you ask for but at least it is a starting off point for negotiations.


Also, one of the worst things you could do is say you want a raise because Dave has had 2 and you haven't had any, its not fair etc. Just ask for the raise and back it up with evidence of why you deserve it.
And maybe practice beforehand what you are going to say out loud in front of a friend or family member.

Fireflyaway

Yes, make sure you ask. It might be the reason you have not had an increase is only because you haven't asked. They may think you are satisfied and if they can get away without increasing your pay they will!

If you ask this also shows that you have confidence. Confidence to ask and confidence that you are worth it.

I think I can identify with some of what you say. I am a quiet person, softly spoken and the sort that always lets other people finish speaking completely before I speak. Maybe because I was an only child?! Anyway this leads me to be quite hopeless in meetings / group situations because by the time I wait for one person to stop speaking - the next person has begun!

Maybe write some bullet points tonight to take in with you to ensure you cover everything. If they do turn down your pay rise request ask why and ask what you need to do to get one. Good luck!

Elfbert

I would definitely ask! In my job you don't get anything unless you can explain why you deserve it, what you're doing now that you weren't doing before, what you've learnt/new skills you have.

After all, even if the answer is 'no' then you know where you stand! You can then either begin to build a case for it at the next review, or look elsewhere - or accept it and carry on as normal, I suppose.

Good luck!

Dr._Shoe

At my last review in April my boss hinted that she might give me a rise in the next one in October (except I'm away for most of that month so it'll be in November). Therefore I will ask for one.

Having said that, minimum wage goes up then anyway so if I do get a rise I expect it to be more than that.

catalepticstate

Thanks for all of your replies everyone!

So I came out of my review. A bit of background on the company. They got bought out by a Canadian company in May so some of the processes are changing and so is the review and pay system. So this was the first thing discussed. I assumed that they did a google search and read my post

Anyway, the review was positive, I had met my targets and improved in many areas. (I had improved back in 2013!!). On doing my homework as described by a few of you I noticed that I had the 2nd most accounts of any manager. Those accounts bring in over 100k. I went in armed with this information, a list of things I have excelled on, the other stuff that I do and listed clients who have personally thanked me infront of other colleagues etc.

At the end of it, I asked if I could get a pay rise. I was told it will be unlikely at this stage as the parent company will be holding reviews in January and some other time. But they will put the request forward.

I think it's a cop out and a reason for them to deny anyone a pay rise.

P.S I am also an only child, must be a trait quiet people share.

Takeaway_Addict

So what are you going to do now? Starting looking for another job with better money or sit it out?

catalepticstate

I'm going to sit tight at the moment.
January is not far away...:)