Net pay similar to that of 8 years ago

neilwood8576

Hi,

I am a professional working in the oil and gas industry in a full time position with the same company over the last 11 years.  I have over the years had an increase in gross pay, around 2% every 2 years.  I also moved from England to Scotland (family choice) in 2021, so subject to increased taxes. 
On checking recent pay slips, I realised I was taking home more money 8 years ago, which surprised me as I would hope my income would increase over time in particular with the increased cost of living.
I understand maybe the increase in pay is not in line with the general country increase.  Do I have any rights here as I feel unrewarded with the years of service to this company?

tizerbelle

In short, no.  The only right you have is to look for another better paying job.  

Marcon

neilwood8576 said:

Hi,

I am a professional working in the oil and gas industry in a full time position with the same company over the last 11 years.  I have over the years had an increase in gross pay, around 2% every 2 years.  I also moved from England to Scotland (family choice) in 2021, so subject to increased taxes. 
On checking recent pay slips, I realised I was taking home more money 8 years ago, which surprised me as I would hope my income would increase over time in particular with the increased cost of living.
I understand maybe the increase in pay is not in line with the general country increase.  Do I have any rights here as I feel unrewarded with the years of service to this company?

Is this a post a wind up by any chance?

If not, the answer above is all the info you need so hopefully nobody else will spend time answering in respect of a lost cause.

DullGreyGuy

neilwood8576 said:

I am a professional working in the oil and gas industry in a full time position with the same company over the last 11 years.  I have over the years had an increase in gross pay, around 2% every 2 years.  I also moved from England to Scotland (family choice) in 2021, so subject to increased taxes. 
On checking recent pay slips, I realised I was taking home more money 8 years ago, which surprised me as I would hope my income would increase over time in particular with the increased cost of living.
I understand maybe the increase in pay is not in line with the general country increase.  Do I have any rights here as I feel unrewarded with the years of service to this company?

Your employers are only responsible for your gross pay, the government is responsible for the deductions of taxes etc. 

Your right is to minimum national wage, on the basis you say Scottish taxes are more then you are clearly earning over NMW so your rights have been met. 

Depending where you are in Scotland the cost of living can be notably lower, a former client relocated their non-exec non-investments people up to the borders from SE England as the salaries were 15% less up there, those that took relocation were basically told their salaries would be frozen until such time that they reached parity with their northern colleagues. 

In my experience, you gain experience/seniority within a company, you gain better income by moving companies. If you arent happy with your salary look elsewhere. 

Undervalued

neilwood8576 said:

Hi,

I am a professional working in the oil and gas industry in a full time position with the same company over the last 11 years.  I have over the years had an increase in gross pay, around 2% every 2 years.  I also moved from England to Scotland (family choice) in 2021, so subject to increased taxes. 
On checking recent pay slips, I realised I was taking home more money 8 years ago, which surprised me as I would hope my income would increase over time in particular with the increased cost of living.
I understand maybe the increase in pay is not in line with the general country increase.  Do I have any rights here as I feel unrewarded with the years of service to this company?

Unless you have a contractual agreement for a certain annual pay rise (unlikely) then as other have said your only legal right to a pay rise, ever, is if your gross pay were to fall below the NMW.

Beyond that it is a matter for negotiation.

As you say Scotland has higher tax but also higher benefits (e.g free prescriptions, cheaper NHS dentistry and no university tuition fees etc etc). Obviously these are worth far more to some people than others. Depending on where you live property may be significantly cheaper than in England - or not?

JJG

neilwood8576 said:

Hi,

I am a professional working in the oil and gas industry in a full time position with the same company over the last 11 years.  I have over the years had an increase in gross pay, around 2% every 2 years.  I also moved from England to Scotland (family choice) in 2021, so subject to increased taxes. 
On checking recent pay slips, I realised I was taking home more money 8 years ago, which surprised me as I would hope my income would increase over time in particular with the increased cost of living.
I understand maybe the increase in pay is not in line with the general country increase.  Do I have any rights here as I feel unrewarded with the years of service to this company?

A large impact of this is likely to be the different tax rates in Scotland. Particularly in a relatively well paid job in Oil and Gas you can easily be £500 a month worse off than if you lived in England. 

sheramber

You can compare what deductions were made from your gross pay 8 years ago and what deductions are being made now. 

That will show you where the difference arises.