Salary issue help

Dadoftwokids

Hi guys,

This is my first post to this forum and I would like a bit of help if possible.

I have been a store manager of a high street retail store for the past 3 and a half years, before that I was the assistant manager for the same store. Very recently my assistant manager had applied for a managers position within the same company just at another store. She sort of kept me in the loop regarding the whole situation and I informed my area manager about this and also about the fact she told me that she was offered X amount of money as a salary (which was already more than I get and she is going to a smaller turnover and smaller size shop) She said that wasn't enough as it was going to cost her more to travel to work and asked for more money. I subsequently found out she settled for what they offered her at first as they wouldn't increase her pay to what she asked for. Now, my question is, am I within my rights to request more money for my own salary due to her having absolutely no store management experience, managing a smaller store with less turnover than mine? I have spoken to my area manager to request that this be looked at and he has stated i could raise a formal grievance if I wanted to to which I explained that I would rather not go down that route if they could just at least pay me what I think I'm worth which is more than said manager. Just a few background bits, my stock takes are always better than company targets, I don't overspend on hours, rarely if ever have any complaints regarding my own store, sickness is null and void I've not had a sick day in my 4 and a half years at the company and my last year figures were higher than any previous years. In my time here I've never had a pay review except when I requested my pay was increased due to a successful year and even that was a slap in the face for the effort put in. Not only that, I was given 10 days notice of her transferring to the other shop leaving me a senior member of staff down.

Any help appreciated on this matter. I've never had to deal with much of a hassle but feel this could escalate.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Yes, you are within your rights to request it.

They are perfectly within their rights to decline it.

Very few people get paid what they think they are worth.

If your company won't increase your pay, get a job elsewhere that pays more.

If you can't get a job elsewhere that pays more, then that's why they won't increase your pay.

Dadoftwokids

I understand that getting paid what you are worth is difficult but when somebody who has zero experience managing a store independently except for very rare occasions of holiday taken, also a smaller store and less turnover, you can see why it has got my back up. I've just never handled a formal grievance and I don't want to make my work life worse off and be targeted for it. I've already stated if they don't pay me more then my time at the company will probably come to an end soon. I wouldn't have difficulty finding another job and if I left I would leave the shop crippled in terms of staffing when the company already have staffing issues in most stores around me.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Dadoftwokids wrote: »

I understand that getting paid what you are worth is difficult

That's not what I said at all.

FBaby

Do you know all the facts though? Maybe she is taking on a more difficult team to manage. Maybe there are some specific issues with this store that will require additional attention, or maybe nobody wants to work in that town.

Salary is not always linked with output or experience.

gettingready

She is making a move and is in the position you were 3.5 years ago when you accepted your current role - to negotiate starting salary before accepting the job offer.

They will not raise your salary based on the points you feel are valid and listed above in your posts. And no grievance could really be based on those.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser 's answer is spot on in this case.

If your company won't increase your pay, get a job elsewhere that pays more.

If you can't get a job elsewhere that pays more, then that's why they won't increase your pay.

Savvy_Sue

FBaby wrote: »

Salary is not always linked with output or experience.

No, and in this case it's clearly linked with negotiating skills ... she was prepared to ask for what she wanted and settle for what they offered. So far you've not formally asked. I don't know what your employer's systems are for pay reviews but suggest you find out!

Planet_Switzerland

Whilst its smaller shop, smaller turnover, it may be much more profitable. I worked at a small supermarket in a small town many years ago and it was the most profitable one for the company in the area. The larger stores in the larger towns had to compete with other supermarkets down the road, whereas the one I worked at was the only one in town, the alternative was to drive 15 miles to another store. As such, our manager was paid more than managers at bigger stores.


I understand why you're annoyed, but if you can easily get another job elsewhere then do it. You may be doing a good job, but the reality is the store existed before you joined and will continue to exist after you leave.


Sometimes you can be too good at your job that you will get passed up for promotion because your employer see's you as more useful doing what you do now than what you would be after promotion. Sad but true.

pioneer22

I would find out when your next review is and compile some evidence as to why you think you should get a pay increase i.e

Profit/Loss
Managing the rota/hours of your staff
Shrinkage/Wastage
Staff retention/attrition
Staff satisfaction surveys if you have one
Bonuses achieved

Retail has a high turnover certainly of managers if you can present showing your worth you can only ask the question. If they say no, there's plenty of vacancies.

LIDL 50k etc.

KiKi

I would ask - but make it about you! About the fact that you've not had a salary increase, and base it on what value you're adding to the store - what's changed since you took over? What's that worth in terms of a salary increase to you?

I absolutely wouldn't make it about the other person. They can pay her the same or more, that's nothing to do with you (although I totally understand why you'd be peeved by it). And I wouldn't touch the grievance route with a bargepole! A grievance about what? That someone else managing a store is also being paid a manager salary? That's asking for trouble, IMO!

Make it about you, and be prepared to negotiate; I'd keep it that simple.

LannieDuck

pioneer22 wrote: »

I would find out when your next review is and compile some evidence as to why you think you should get a pay increase i.e

Profit/Loss
Managing the rota/hours of your staff
Shrinkage/Wastage
Staff retention/attrition
Staff satisfaction surveys if you have one
Bonuses achieved

Retail has a high turnover certainly of managers if you can present showing your worth you can only ask the question. If they say no, there's plenty of vacancies.

LIDL 50k etc.

Agreed, ask for the pay review. If they refuse, or decline to increase your pay, look for a promotion elsewhere.