Payrise in 2025?

Charlotte_Ca

That's a nice topic!

For this year 2025 I only got 3% increase. I felt a bit disheartened   

In 2024 I didn't get any increase because my contract was ending and the company wouldn't keep me any longer anyway. It was a bit sad because I remember all my colleagues were going to the manager's office to find out their increase and me nothing.... 

In 2023 though I had a really good increase of 11.5% which I didn't expect at all

Strummer22

wigglygiggly said:

I work in a private education centre and have been for 14 years and in that time I have only ever had 3 pay rises. Very much doubt I will get one this year either. 

@wigglygiggly unless those 3 pay rises were very substantial then you're very likely underpaid for your position. It's also very likely that your pay is less in real terms than it was 14 years ago, even though you're 14 years more experienced. If that's the case, I'll state it plainly: you're being exploited. 

Are there any reasons you feel particularly loyal to this employer or are unwilling to move anywhere else? If not, you need to act.

1. Do your sums. Take your starting pay from 14 years ago, plug it into an inflation calculator, and see what the equivalent sum is today. Compare that to what you're actually paid. If you're paid less, you've had a real-terms pay cut. This is unacceptable given you've gained 14 years more experience. If you're paid more, that doesn't mean you're receiving fair value. Move on to point 2.

2. Do your research. Benchmark your salary against industry expectations. Find job postings for similar roles that include a salary. Find sector salary reports. If you're part of a professional body they might publish an annual salary review. Try Glassdoor.

3. Take stock of your role. Think about your achievements, and where you provide value to your employer. Do you have annual performance reviews? Are they positive?

4. Talk to your manager (or whoever is in charge of salaries). Raise the points above, starting with how you think you bring value and where you are performing well or even exceeding expectations, or being required to work outside of your job description. Then ask for a pay rise. Usually the worst that can happen is that they say no. In your case, "we'll review in 6 months" should also be taken as a no, because they've had 14 years to review!

5. If you get a positive outcome, hooray! Then be prepared to do this every year if further pay rises are not forthcoming.

6. If it's a no, and you have no overriding reasons why you can't leave this job, try and secure a new job. Tell them your salary expectation, not your current salary (especially if you've worked out that you're badly underpaid). If you get an offer in hand you can use it to negotiate with your current employer. You need to be prepared to actually leave and take the new job if you do this; if negotiations go wrong it can really sour your relationship with your employer.   

wigglygiggly

Strummer22 said:

wigglygiggly said:

I work in a private education centre and have been for 14 years and in that time I have only ever had 3 pay rises. Very much doubt I will get one this year either. 

@wigglygiggly unless those 3 pay rises were very substantial then you're very likely underpaid for your position. It's also very likely that your pay is less in real terms than it was 14 years ago, even though you're 14 years more experienced. If that's the case, I'll state it plainly: you're being exploited. 

Are there any reasons you feel particularly loyal to this employer or are unwilling to move anywhere else? If not, you need to act.

1. Do your sums. Take your starting pay from 14 years ago, plug it into an inflation calculator, and see what the equivalent sum is today. Compare that to what you're actually paid. If you're paid less, you've had a real-terms pay cut. This is unacceptable given you've gained 14 years more experience. If you're paid more, that doesn't mean you're receiving fair value. Move on to point 2.

2. Do your research. Benchmark your salary against industry expectations. Find job postings for similar roles that include a salary. Find sector salary reports. If you're part of a professional body they might publish an annual salary review. Try Glassdoor.

3. Take stock of your role. Think about your achievements, and where you provide value to your employer. Do you have annual performance reviews? Are they positive?

4. Talk to your manager (or whoever is in charge of salaries). Raise the points above, starting with how you think you bring value and where you are performing well or even exceeding expectations, or being required to work outside of your job description. Then ask for a pay rise. Usually the worst that can happen is that they say no. In your case, "we'll review in 6 months" should also be taken as a no, because they've had 14 years to review!

5. If you get a positive outcome, hooray! Then be prepared to do this every year if further pay rises are not forthcoming.

6. If it's a no, and you have no overriding reasons why you can't leave this job, try and secure a new job. Tell them your salary expectation, not your current salary (especially if you've worked out that you're badly underpaid). If you get an offer in hand you can use it to negotiate with your current employer. You need to be prepared to actually leave and take the new job if you do this; if negotiations go wrong it can really sour your relationship with your employer.   

Yes, I know all of this - and wait for this - I also didn't get paid holiday pay until I found out we were entitled to it last year. When I found out (and yes, I was very naïve) I was told it was 'rolled up' even though it was not stated as a fact in our contract and not separated on our payslip. Thankfully we now get paid annual leave. 

The reason I stay? Not through any loyalty to my employer but because I love my job and it's a niche job where there are not many opportunities elsewhere. Before this job I didn't understand job satisfaction, but now I do. Yes, I know I am being exploited but what am I do to? If I bring the issue up then all that happens is that there is a terrible atmosphere and when there are only 3/4 employees then that's hard on everyone. But I won't lie, the whole holiday pay and no chance of pay rises does make me feel slight resentment towards my employer. 

LightFlare

i have no idea - we dont usually get it untill Oct or so even though it should be applied in April

Its almost as if April appears out of nowhere and surprises them every year

Strummer22

wigglygiggly said:

The reason I stay? Not through any loyalty to my employer but because I love my job and it's a niche job where there are not many opportunities elsewhere. Before this job I didn't understand job satisfaction, but now I do. Yes, I know I am being exploited but what am I do to? If I bring the issue up then all that happens is that there is a terrible atmosphere and when there are only 3/4 employees then that's hard on everyone. But I won't lie, the whole holiday pay and no chance of pay rises does make me feel slight resentment towards my employer. 

Do you talk with the other employees about the lack of pay progression? Do they only get occasional raises too? If yes, you should all talk to your employer together. If you have talked to your colleagues and it seems they get more regular pay rises than you, then something is definitely off. Maybe they asked for pay reviews and you didn't, so your employer sees you as a soft touch? 

You're correct that pay is not the only thing that matters and job satisfaction is very important. But three pay rises in 14 years is pathetic. I'll bet the owners of the business haven't taken only three pay rises in 14 years. 

chris1973

Haven't had a pay rise since a promotion to a Staff position three years ago. Already been told not to expect one this year. Ironically, 90% of our other staff are on minimum wage, so will essentially get a pay rise in relation to the statutory NMW increase, whilst the few others just above will get nothing. I'm currently just under £2 an hour above the current NMW so certainly not on big bucks, with the difference narrowing this year once again.

Been there 31 years this May!.

Working in a Family Owned Manufacturing Business where we are reminded almost daily to count our blessings that we still have a Job.

Futurehopeful

I work for a large Fintech company that has posted huge profits last few years. 
I have worked here for 7 years. No promotion but hit my targets set for me each year. We haven't been told what this year will be but previous years are below.

2024 - 2.51%
2023 - 1.5%
2022 - 2%
2021 - 0%

I always thought this was normal in the Private sector?

I checked a salary inflation calculator after reading one of the comments above and was shocked (in a bad way) by what I saw.

Note, my colleagues are in a similar position re % increase.

Strummer22

Futurehopeful said:

I work for a large Fintech company that has posted huge profits last few years. 
I have worked here for 7 years. No promotion but hit my targets set for me each year. We haven't been told what this year will be but previous years are below.

2024 - 2.51%
2023 - 1.5%
2022 - 2%
2021 - 0%

I always thought this was normal in the Private sector?

I checked a salary inflation calculator after reading one of the comments above and was shocked (in a bad way) by what I saw.

Note, my colleagues are in a similar position re % increase.

No, private sector pay rises have tended to be above public sector in recent years (or maybe longer??). Average wage growth (private and public sectors) has been above 4% since 2021, occasionally peaking above 8%.

Check your company's profit margin as well as total profits (you can find this info on Companies House). The bigger the margin the more they are fleecing you. If your company is successful there's no reason for you to get real-terms pay cuts each year. You don't owe them loyalty if they don't value the work you do. Feel free to take my advice earlier in this thread!

bamgbost

From memory my recent annual rises have been
2021 - 0%
2022 - 3.25%
2023 - 6%
2024 - 3%
2025 - 2.5%

Always just below inflation. But again, better than nothing

EnPointe

chris1973 said:

Haven't had a pay rise since a promotion to a Staff position three years ago. Already been told not to expect one this year. Ironically, 90% of our other staff are on minimum wage, so will essentially get a pay rise in relation to the statutory NMW increase, whilst the few others just above will get nothing. I'm currently just under £2 an hour above the current NMW so certainly not on big bucks, with the difference narrowing this year once again.

Been there 31 years this May!.

Working in a Family Owned Manufacturing Business where we are reminded almost daily to count our blessings that we still have a Job.

no doubt while family members have yet another new car   and the idiot  offspring are promoted way beyond their abilities . 

in family firms, unless they are particularly large   ( e.g. someone like Bamfords (JCB) ,  or Ken era Morrisons before private equity involvement ) there is little or no benefit to  progressing beyond first line management as  above that family always comes first ...